The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-10
DEEDS OF A DESPERATE,
WHO RECENTLY COMMITTED SUI
eide In GEORGIA.
A Career Unique for Its Wickedness
From the Cradle Almost
TO the Grave.

| fioal suicide OF one of the most despe
rate criminals OF the South: Benz amin
w. Furlong, who committed suicide
here two weeks ago, had led a IFS Of
singular desperation. From The time
when he was boy to the hour OF his
death be was terror to every neigh
borhood in which he lived. At the
age OF Is q responsible posi- ion in a
sawmill owned by bis brother-in-law
at Pine Bloom was given him. One
day colored teamster was found in
his wagon dead, with his throat cut.
II was developed that young Furlong
had had a quarrel with the teamste ,
which ended ia the tragedy. The
murderer disappeared ana was gone
several years. When he returned he
resumed his desperate career without
ever having Teen called to account.
A little over two years ago Mr.. X.
p. sheppard, wealthy gentleman
OF Savannah, fitted up q fawmill
at Vsnceville, on tie Brunswick
and Albany read, in which ne invested
$1,000. He placed Ben Furlang d
his brother john 10 charge of il, and
having the utmost confidence in them,
left it tntiIely to their management.
The charge Of such a large business
turned Furlopg's head compete Fly.
He began drinking heavily, neglected
his wife and family and took 10 the
companions hip of wantons 07e day
he rode up to bis house with wonan
from Savannah, end taking her 10,
pr-tented Der 10 his wife, saying:
"Pocahontss, how do you like this :?
Amt she besuty?"
The disbonored vile broke into
tears, whereupon her husband seiz.d
her by the hair and dragged her
across the floor, stsmpi g up3n her
aud breaking a chair TO pieces aero g
her body. The par then re-entar, d
the buggy aud drove off, leaving the
wife unconscious upoa the flor.
Trere she was found several houss
later by s me passing nejghb r..
When her story became krown the
utmost Indignation prevailed. Par.
ties of men started in pursuit
OF the Iecreant husband. He was
caught up withssat a country house,
where he sat with a Winchester fle
across his knee. an blow the brains
OUT Of the frat man who dsres to
come near me-" he said detarminedly.
For several hours the posse stood at g
respectful distance, deemiDg dis,ra.
tion the better part OF valor, aud then
retired aud left Furlong master of the
siualiop. Mr. Sheppard soon became
aware Ct the state of eff ,irl, and dis
patched a trustt d agent to VAUDEVILLE
to take charge of the business. When
the agent arrived at the mill he found
ihst John Furlong had received in.
formation of his coming, and h,d
scrsped toye'h r $4,000 of the mills
money and skipped GU: for Texas.
Three months later news was received
of johns tragic death in that State.
He bid in some property at sheriff s
sale and offered part payment in notes.
THAT WAS not in the bargain" faid
the Sheriff. "You are liar" reto,tsd
John.
The Iep'y wa' bullet from the
Sherif's revolver, which pierced
Johns heart. Ia the meant me b n
Furlong threw off all restraints.
Whenever be made his appearance,
all the officers emed to Withdraw in
his favor. On one occasion he boarded
the train bound for Brunswics, and
going into the colored colch took
sea-. In front of him sat a
negro. Throw that cigar out OF the
window" ordered Fur opg. Il lave
paid Tor my seat aud do not want to be
disturbed" Inst ntly Furlong caught
he regr) by the hea', pulled
it back over the SO t aud
inside several lunges with bis kuife
into the Negroes THREAT. Furlorg
jumed off the car and escaped into the
woods. On another occasion Furlong
sought ont Engineer Brock on tbs
Bfunewick and Albany road, and
asked him If he wanted the money
which was due him. O1 Brock maxi
ing an affirmative reply, Fur
long said: at you do, Just
tske that" filing st the same
time and striking the engine or
in the abdomen. About six mouths
pg) Fnrlong gave some evidence If
reformation, TO encourage which his
friet Dis united and started him once
m re in business, with headquarters
AT Sliff, on the Biunswick aud Albany
road. But his reformation was Of
short duration. He always went
AIMED, ard would shoot into crowd
Of colored people jus, for the purpose
Of seeing tnem scatter. On Septem-
Der Let he stared On a big debauch,
and was 40 desperate tn It even his
confederate feared him. On the night
OF THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23i he called
his wife and childr TO him, asked
them to PARDON him for his past bad
conduct, and declared that the morn.
ing light would find him a new man.
After kissing them he retired TO his
room, where he was fund au hour
Ia or in coma'ose condition, and by
his aide WIS an empty laudanum vial
The end came Def re morning, and
wi h the news Of FurlonR's
death went rumors OF a darker crime.
No one would speak for over week,
and then the story came out, which
established the fact that FurlonV hal
been driven to suicide bee ause OF a
murder which he had commit ed two
weeks before, and in the commits ION
Of VIII CHI he had two confederate. On
the down freight train OF September
7th WAS jesse Webb, colored, who was
in s,sIch of employm mt. h was
put OIL the train at the Sniff mill,
where Furlong spotted him as a man
who had prev ously enttrtd into a
contract WITH him. Webb ref sed 10
g. with Furlong, whereupon the latter
seiz-d him and, Handwriting him, mt
him under guard Of ]. M. Lotion, a
white man from Atlantis, and Tom
Sharon. Webb made b ,eak for
libNty, running toward the swamp,
with Furlong in full purenit. A d 8.
charge from FurIong's riffs brouph,
Webb TO the ground in clump Of
bushes about 400 yards from the
house. When Furloug retur ned
to the house he put all uudeI
notice that he would kill the
first one that peach, d." Fur!onV
Lotion and Sharon, eacn carving /
douhls barrel ed sto gun, went dowr
10 where the wounded negro Law
| EuvlouU In hil 1aona,,ti.. - an.