Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-05-22
4 DARKROOM ROW
Between Couple of Darkies iu Low
DiVeOn
Front street-sn FHpeefant BriticgrO
Stabbed in t.ic Neck.

About = o'clock yesterday afternoon
difficulty occurred in Bill Bakers dive on
Front street, near Adams, which may end
fatally for one of the participants. In
dispute as to who should pay for beer,
JEFF Walker, colored. stabbed another
darky named Sherrod Ware in the throat
with a knife, ran out OF the house and fled
down the nearest alley. Chief Davis, who
was sitting at the stationhouse, saw
crowd gathering, aud feeling instinctively
that there had been an affray at Bakers
OF a serious nature, mounted horse
which fortunately stood hitched to the
rack and galloped to Front street, where
he was informed that there had been
cutting scrape and the fugitive had left his
hat behind him. The chief at once gave
chase and succeeded in overhauling his
man on Fourth street, at the corner of the
alley between Washington and Adams. At
the same instant a darky, who proved
to be brother of Ware, rushed up with
briekbat in each hand, and saying, "You
killed my brother and now | will kill you"
sprang upon the prisoner. Chief Davis was
compelled to present his pistol in Wares
face before he would release Walker. The
latter was locked in cell No. / at the
stationhouse. Meanwhile the life of the
wounded man was despaired of. His sister,
Bill Bakers wife, Sho was in the saloon
at the time, tore of her apron and held it
to the wound, but did not succeed in ar
resting the flow of blood, which spouted
out upon the sidewalk in a continuous
stream. Notwithstanding his great loss of
blood he managed to keep his feet while
his sister half led, half carried him, first to
Renkert's drug store and then to the office
OF Drs. Fraysert, Henning x Willett,
where he promptly received attention,
but owing to his great loss Of
blood, and the peculiar nature of
the wound, deep stab in the left side of
the throat, it was for some time a matter
of doubt as to whether he could be saved.
The sister of the wounded man stated
that Walker, Jack Colquitt and Sherrod
Ware were standing in front of the counter
in her husband s saloon, and that when
she was in the act of drawing glass OF
beer from a keg behind the counter she
heard Walker curse Ware, and saw him
put his hand in his pocket for a knife.
Ware drew back Us if to strike, when
Walker suddenly struck out with his
knife, then turned and fled. Ware had
no weapon whatever and she was not
aware of any difficulty between them
until Walker cursed Ware.
Walker was found in his cell. the thumb
of his LETT hand bleeding profusely from a
deep triangular cut, which he said at first
had been made by Ware.
In answer to questions he said he went
into Bakers place, for the first time in his
life, with man named Jack Colquitt, to
get a glass of beer. They found an ar
rangement something after the order of a
set OF dice and box on the counter, and
Colquitt suggested that they throw for the
drinks. As they were about to do so
Ware walked in and proposed to throw
for - 80. Walker replied that they were
not gambling, but Just throwing for the
drinks. Ware picked up the box, threw and
lost, treating TO beer. Walker then lost
and treated, and Ware tried his luck
again. Walker claimed foul, and Ware
insisted that it was fairly done. Ware
cursed him and struck him in the head
with his fist. Walker staggered back
against the screen, drew his knife and
struck back II did not mean to cut him
where | did" he said, ''and am sorry ior
it." lie added that Ware had not been
. friendly toward him for about two years
They were both visiting mulatto girl
named Mary Renfroe, who lives on Hawley
street, and who showed decided prefer
ebce for Walker. He did not know whether
Ware had been visiting the girl since
he quit going to see her or not
JEFF Walker lives at 209 Linden street,
and is employed at Vic Galina's saloon.
Jack Colquitt lives on the fernando road,
and IS at present out OF employment. He
formerly worked in gambling hall
Sherrcd Ware vas also saloon-keeper
and was engaged TO be married tomorrow
night to i mulatto girl named Callie Til
man, who lives on Union avenue.