Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-06-24
BATTIER'S BRIDE.
RecOIlectiOns Of the Wild Scenes in
Which Mary Burton First Fig
ured Before the
Public-SurrOunded by HOWllng Mob,
the Head Of a TOrchlIght
Procession:

A special to the APPEAL from Helena,
Ark, which will be found in another col
umn, announces the marriage at that place
OF George Batter and Mary Burton, the
latter colored woman. Both for a
number of years resided in this
city, where they are well known.
The dispatch recalls a variegated drama
enacted in July, 1876, and in which Mary
Burton and Mr.. Batter carried off the
leading roles. She was at the time very
handsome quadroon, about eighteen years
of age, well educated, lady-iike in manner,
and occupied good position as teacher
in the public schools, and as the
place of considerable importance
in heightened colored circles. A long train
of stylish bucks OF her own race worshiped
at her shrine, obeyinR as a command her
lightest within. 1t was rare, however, that
she deigned to bestow SO much as pass
ing notice on one of them. Batter was
then clerk in his fathers drug store on
Beale street, and meeting the quadroon by
accident became at once her most devoted
admirer. She was at once suspected, and
then closely watched by her old admirers,
who naturally regarded the atten-
tions of a good-looking young white
man to their idolized Mary with
peculiar alarm. Perhaps the most in
sanely jealous of the number was darby
named Carter, who kept a close watch
| upon her movements, logging her steps
day and night with persistency which
never tagged. One Thursday night about
the middle Of July Carter and several 9TH
ers, whose aid he had enlisted, followed
her from her aunt's house on Turley street
to shady retreat on Desoto, south OF Mon.
roe. She entered, shut the door behind
her, and they at last had her trapped. The
| frrw nf fIo u.r,f
tain exposure OF the colored belle
spread, and by 9 o'clock at night an i'm
mense crowd had collected, many Of then
being supplied with candles, which they
proposed 20 light when the proper time
came. On some pretext the services o
Policeman Henry Wilson, who is still
member Of the force, were enlisted. Mar
} Burton, frightened by the unusua
! demonstration, fled into an adioin
ing house, which was quickly sur
7 rounded by the bowling moo of negroes
The poor girl was finally dragged out arC
saluted with groans, boots and hurrehs b,
J the crowd, Carter making himself ea
} pecially conspicuous by continually shout
ing, Chow are you, Miss Mamiep' Els
corted by the officer, Mary then began
weary march to the stationhouse, the mol
3 lighting their candles and forming itsel
: into sort OF torchlight procession. 1t re
r quired an exercise Of all of Wilson's powe
: to take his prisoner safely
l the stationhouse where she wa
D confined all night, her aunt fearing tha
l she would be killed! as the mob threat
. ened, if she again appeared upon tn
d streets. The charge entered on tn
e docket against the woman was "bein
r an inmate OF a house of ill-fame,
: but it was not sustained at trii
: next day, and as she was drive
s away in hack to her home and friends
J, q large crowd Of black demons followed
t hurting after her the vilest epithets, nc
d unmingled with threats of personal viz
It lence. Fourteen negroes were afterwar
o arrested .for taking part in the di
r graceful riot, but as there was Il
prosecution they were dismissed. A
though there was come doubt at the tim
among those who had no RcquaintanC
: with either party Of their criminal il
# timacy it has never been questioned sine
!. as they have always sustained relations
{ the closest nature, and neither attempte
to make any secret OF it.