The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-24

Mr.. y. d. DunnaVaMt Delng Cal'eo
said he had never in any way, shape
or manner offered, or authorized any
one else to offer, anything to any wit
ness to testify In the case. That he did
not know Mrs. 0'Dell or any Of the
witnesses from 2zT Second street, and
did not see thom until p aced on the
witness stand. That he and deceased
lived in adjoining houses, and he
knew that bis brother said at home
very closely ct night. That on Mon
day night he sometimes attended a
mechanics' association to which he
belonged. That he had also several
nights met committee OF the First
Baptist Church in regard TO building O
lecture room, which they had con-
tracted for.
The State then offered TO prove the
good character Of the deceased, which
the Court ruled out.
This ended the evidence in the case.
Oourssl for the defendant then offered
that he be allowed TO make stale
ment to the jury.
Judge Dubose then said as there
was no testimony by an eye witness
70 the killing he would permit de-
PENDANT to make q statement to the
Jury, but that IL could not be Colsid-
cred as evidence.
MEYERS STATEMENT.
The prisoner then took the stand
and, in q monotonous tone, read the
following statement from manuscript:
While was working. AZ Nashville / re-
ceived letter stating that my wi weat
buggy riding with a friead Of yours. he
treated her 70 Shamp,s,Ss s and beer got her
throwed her down on the foori she struggled
little snGilyi signed sincerely your friend,
N. N" / paid no attention 70 that Thought
nothing Of tt-oply some Jealous enemy,
son, Tom. to fresoo two churches. When
| was there week or 80 received another
letter saying ny wifo was untrue to me; look
cut and watch, your friend, N. N; This one
made me think, and wrote, to her Il, come
bothered my mind great deal an thought
several times Of speaking 70 her about t,but
mover did. The more l thought OF it the
worse / 70 /. Tho main thought was of
my children. II Y was true | pitled
them. / was afraid 10 believe il, but l
must find out and be sure. never said any
thing about IL to her, but made up my mind
10 find out. had prospects for work In st.
Louis. 1 told hor probably might so TO St.
Louis when got done with my work az
jackson. told her would go TO Grand
junction with her as m escort, and BY. that
time would mske up my mind whether !
would 20 to st. Louis or not. When We got
there told her that would 80 to 81. Louis.
We took supper at an OF hotel because u was
We waited late at Grand junction for the
train, but whom II came / kisiod them all
goodbye, gave my. wife the tickets, and we
parted, Ny heert gave way to sad feelings
Gould that woman be false? She had been
iuoh good woman 10 me always. But Why
those lottersY Taere might be something in
Il. I walked up and down the railroad
allniEbt. When daylight came walked on.
mind TO be a tramp, take sketches, cts. /
wal ked in the woods. Remember making q
pencil sketch. ! don't remember much after
that, but only thought Of being tramp and
q my dear Children what win become Of
express my feelings. | den't know how
long tram ned around, but made up my
mind 10 60 heme and see for myself and be
sure. / dOn't remember when got on the
train, nor did | care to think. but !, got to
Memphis 4 night anyway. reached home
and everything was quiet in the house:
went upSlairs very easy. | expectsd / had
TO knock 81 tho door and watch the other
door, but " my surprise | found the front
T Tsna cSoF 0pIn stssea heard SptSins
but tho. breathing of my children, as
/ thought. | pushed tho door open,
went In, locked at the parlsr bed; did net see
any one but my wife on il asleep. l stood
awhile TO think. Could sho DO untrue 10 mel
Could she destroy my children's homer [
deter mined 70 watch hor the next night. l
eRt down 10 clear my mind, but the more |
theugh abopt y tho more diEEy my head got.
! folt thirsty; looked ior. bucket TO set
tee stove in rs place, / went into the
closet whore tho cooking vessels were, got
the huOket and went after beer. came
homo, Jaw evorything was the same, went
into the closet and drank it. l felt better. I
s sY L, put OF my shoes, vent after Writing
paper In my. desk and hooks. can't say
why | took the books; found some old rags,
clothing, bed clothing, etc. | spread them
cut and laid down, went out into the front
room again, found some bread, and again
wentin, laid down, eat my bread and drop
ped of TO sleep. The beer done mo good, |
woke pjud rs II was z ting light Iwrote
letler 20 her, dated it st. Louis, etc.;
told her T'uaIS dAh1 not t be hG%S very
envelope with cork moistenod with
ink, wont out, put IL where wO used TO get
our lettors. and went back to the closet
again. heard them getting up, | thought,
voices Of my darlings 1t seemed like knife
going through my hosrt, but l determined
To watch her II be act discovered, and wait
cd as long as could hold out. thought,
Oh, how happy they are. | could hardly
my innocent children, suffer for her wrong,
which they will surely and out In tho future
IL II Ia true. But the morning passed of.
In tho morning when was writing about the
foeltng father and children must have
- AR WVA "a n "a u la Ina a .a1E e.
stops coming upstairs and in my parlor as
hmilia ras the owner Of the rooms, without
knocking. A feeling rushed over me | can't
describe. Everything ,eomed to whirl of
sudden, Vo9id she to doing wrongY God
help mo and my dear chi drenl / cropt
into tho wardrobe. l was aston
ishcd 10 SEQ my. friend Dunnavant.
lie was sitting on chair. i saw him feel
her leg, thon get up and close the door He
put his arms around Tor and tn ew her back
on tho bed sho scufled. lie Rot his Enoo
between her legs aod put his hands 10 his
pants. l could not foo any more. Jumped
out and seid: "hold on tberel" He Jumped
from the bed and ran toward me. raised
the pistol and ran baokwNd, whom the pis-
tol went OF llo got hold Of me, grabbed
the pistol out of my hands and wo scuincd.
tore loose nd ran 10 the station House TO
give mystlfup. h, would not run TO mo
would hive said: MY home is disgraced
Take IL all, only give me enough money to
pay the fare for my children to Cairo, and
I'll leave II all If YOU want tho wrelched
woman, take her. Keep my furniture, my
organ, my picinres-ever only lot
mo take my children from this town"
| fee that did my duty 70 MY children,
Rnd what every man would have done that
loves his home, The idea thet | wanted
money for the price Of my wi'e's honor and
my own is too horrible 20 mention. To sell
the honor Of my little da-linE,9 Where Is
there m ney enough tor that2 / ALWAYS did
make good living for them and could do II
yet Murder. Is horror to me, and no
money ecu induce me 60 commit one. L
thought only OF my children, who for their
whole lifo would feel the sorrows that man
brought on them. What can wipe out that
stuinY Is 1t money! No, indeed.
II IL, MEYER.
Sunday, September 10, 1886.
Meyer read his statement in plain
and audible voice, but with tremor
in il. He broke down while referring
TO the unjus charge that he meant to
blscsmail Dunnavant, and the devas-
tott ~, ~ hfa hnpaa md ,l,lJrA,nl ha-