The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-07
An EX.SENATOR'S FALL.
FERRY OF MICHIGAN A FUGI-
TIVE FROM JUSTICE.
An Indictment for Forgery Against
Hin Which Must Be
Settled.

EEw York, May EFT is not gen.
orally known" said a Michigan man
yesterday, "tbat ex-senator Thomas
W. Ferry is an exile from his State
and county. He dare not return until
matters pending sgainst him are either
outlswed or settled. There is an in
dictment against him for forgery"
up to the time of his defeat for re-
election few years ago he passed as
very rich man."
"Yee, but that was far from the
truth. Ten or fifteen years ago be was
worth considerable money. He had
an interest with his brother in some
Michigan pine lands, and together
they operated an extensive lumber
yard in Chicago. / say together, but
Thomas never had anything 20 do
with the management Of the business.
They made considerable money
for a time, and ss usual
their fortune was overesti-
mated. Reverses came, however
aud in addition to this the Senator 90
to leading very wild life in Wash
ipgton. He spent more than his
salary in dissipation, and became in
v9lved in several disgraceiul scandals.
You remember how he was horse
whipped in his rooms at the National
Hotel by an irate young woman and
her father. Poor Ferry crept under
the bed and cried for mercy, but his
assailanis only stopped when
they were completely exhaust
ed. The story told at the
time was TO the effect that Ferry had
insulted the young lady in some way,
and that was the method chosen to
avenge it. Ferry never made any
complaint, but the father of the young
lady received a note from the Senator
couple Of days after the attack; he
opened 1t, expecting to find at least q
challenge, but instead he found an an
nusl pass for himself and family over
the Pennsylvania railroad. Queer way
OF demanding satisfaction, wasn't it?
"Ferry's exposure would have come
several years before ii did but for the
fact that he held seat in the United
Ststes Senate, and ii be lad been re-
elected / presume his affairs would
have been hushed up somehow; but
when he became a common citizen,
with no patronage at his disposal, then
all his creditors jumped on him. 1t
was learned that he bad been engaged
ia number Of very question
able transactions, among which
was the charge Of trying to imi-
tate another mans sigr ature. Ferry
made desperate effort to get back to
the Senate, and the machine discipline
organized by Zach Chandler in Michi-
gan held his forces in line down 10 the
eighty.first ballot. Then a break
came, and the present Senator Palmer
was the result. Ferry fed at once to
Europe, aud had scarcely got out of
the country before warrants were is
sued Tor his arrest on several different
counts. That was three years ago. He
has never returned and he may die in
exile. The ex-Senator's brother,
however, is devoted to Tom, and
he hes been trying to build up
the fortunes nf the family Ho 10
by far the better man of the two, and
has considerable ability aud push. l
am told that he has been very fortu-
nate in some silver mine investments,
| ouh my DOOOLuO IlCh bkhlu. III IQdJ
case suppose all claims against
Thomas where criminal prosecution
could be brought will be settled up
end the exile will find it safe to To-
turn. But he can never again be a
factor in Michigan politics. OF late
years he has become a victim OF the
morE hine habit, which almost COM
pletely undermined bis intellect"
"Wnere is he liviDg2"
II believe he has passed most of his
exile in Italy, but he has been roam
ing all over Europe. A great effort
was made to persuade President Ar
thur to give Ferry the Russian mis-
sion just after the death of Minister
Hunt, but Mr.. Arthur concluded that
1t was not best to appoint a man who
cou'd not visit his own country to
present his application. Senator Con-
ger made the effort, l believe, cut
OF charity. It's a little bit sngu-
lar that man who served eigh-
teen years in the Senate, six years as
President pro tempore of that body,
acting Vice President and acting Preei-
dent for day, on the Sunday inter
yening between Gen. Grants retire
ment aud President Hayes inaugula-
ton, should find himself an exile from
his own country and fugitive from
! justice. 1t illustrates the ups and
| downs OF politics with a vengeance