The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-23
THEY COME In DROVES.
THE BROWN MURDER CLOSELY FOL-
LOWED BY ANOTHER.
John Sullivan, Brlcklayer, Shot and
Instantly Killed by zeb Nolan, an
Adams Street neutrality-suspicious.
mony of Witnesses.

Memphis that they never come slngly.
They follow in rapid succession until
two, three and often whole droves Of them
are recorded.
The public spent yesterday neglecting
its business to discuss the ruthless murder
OF ]. Mack Brown by young Lewis Lane.
Today they may entertain themselves
with a study OF another killing, which oc-
Cured last night.
Deb Nolen, handsome, intelligent man,
thirty-fve years OF age, keeps a saloon
at No. II Adams street. 1t is
three-story building The rooms on
the third floor are rented out to
dodgers by his wife. The family &C.
cupes the rear room on this floor,
while the front room is occupied by John
Sullivan an Joe Kelly. At IL o'clock
last night Sullivan was shot and instantly
killed by Nolen in the third-story hall of
the building. Capt. Hackett arrested him
shortly after the killing, Nolen making no
effort to escape.
THE PARTICULARS,
as related by Mrs. Nolen, whom an Az
PEAL reporter found at the station-house
talking through the bars TO her impris.
oned husband, and who related them in
his presence, are rs follows:
"About 10 o'clock Sullivan and Kelly
came upto their room, with them were
two friends, and the crowd began making
n disturbance. They talked in loud tones,
using violent, obscene and profane Ian
guage, and laughing hoisterously. My
two children by former husband, who
occupy bed in our room, complained OF
the noise, stating that they could not 90
to sleep and would be unable to work to-
morrow. Mr. Nolen remarked that he
would go and try and get the men to keep
quiet He went 10 the door, knocked,
and when II was opened requested them
to curb their tones, as his chill
dren wished TO sleep. They came out
aud said II was their room, in which they
could do as they pleased, and further,
that they felt outraged at our renting the
rooms below for poker rooms, an illegal
business There were no occupants OF the
poker rooms, everybody who was there
having gone home. | told that the room
they occupied was not theirs unless tho
rent was paid, which always required in
advance, ana that they must vacate il to-
morrow II they did not keep quiet. | also
told them that the poker rooms below
Ntlt HNtuStu, anu nttu nOl tntul.
With that they returned 10 their room
MIR. Nolen came back to his, and for while
they did not cause us any unusual
annoyance. Shortly before IL o'clock the
boisterous conduct was revived. Mr..
Nolen, this time with his pistol. went out
into the hall and insisted that they keep
less noise or get out. sullivan and Kelly
came out and began TO abuse him terribly.
following him up 10 the very Threshold
OF our room. Just before reaching tho
door Sullivan struck at Mr. Nolen, who
escaped the blow by lodging. As he was
assaulted n second time, he fired Ia.
then told Inc TO close the door and send
for the police. After the shooting the two
friends OF Sullivan and Kelly left"
AT the conclusion Of Mrs. Nalcn's state.
ment the prisoner was questioned. but
had only 20 say that his wife had given
the correct version. lie did not desire 20
hit Sullivan, but merely wished 10 frightcn
him.
Squire Barry arrived on the scene few
minutes after the killing, aud empanocd
the following jury Of inquest: +. T..
ileran, w D. Elcirick, Chas. Cromwell,
Y. X. Underwood, John Leonard, IL.
llammas and John Dunn.
Joseph Kelly, room mate OF the de.
ceased, and one Of the eye witnesses 10
the tragic affair, made the following state
ment TO the jury: Sullivan aud myself
were In our room laughing when Nolcn,
who occupies sthe back room, opened his
door and told Us 10 be quiet. We were
not noisy and walked out into the hall 20
argue with Nolen. Sullivan had gotabout
midway the hall when Nolen, who was
~ his door with pistol in hand. fired. Sui
Ivan Tell 10 the iloor aud expired in few
minutes. My friend was not armed and
did not attempt TO strike Nocn."
Z. g. llackott, VIM. Crawford and John
Kelly were summoned n witnesses for tho
grand jury, but did MOI testify at the in.
quest.
The jury retired and returned a verdict
as follows
Deceased came 10 his death by bullet
wound fired from pistol in the hands u
Deb Nolen."
An examination Of the body showed that
the ball entered the right breast about two
inches above the nipple and penetrated
tho lung
The murdered man was about twenty
one years OF age, n bricklayer by trade,
aud had only been In the city about five
weeks, he hayingcOme here from Birminr-.-
ham, Ala. His home was near Holyokc,
Mass,
The body was taken in charge by tho
bricklayer's union No. /, OF which do.
ceased was a member, and turned over 10
Stanley 4 Anderson, undcrtakcrs. II will
be buried this afternoon In Elmwood
cemetery.
Mrs. Nolen went 10 the telegraph Office
and wired her husbands brother.
Mr. Henry Nolen, president OF tho
Brownsville taxing district. lie will
probably arrive this morning. The pri..
nncr y member oi one u the best inn-
lilies ~ West Tennessee, bis brother hay.
ing been sheriff Of Hayward county bo.
tore the war. Ills brother l. an honor,I
AMI wealthy citizen Of Brownsville.
Norn has the reputation OF being n bad
man when aroused or under the influence
Of liquor.
scycinl months ago be was arrested on
complaint Of his wife and fined SOS in the
police court for going home drunk and do.
molishing lot of furniture.
On another occasion he was ordered out
ct town by Judge MADDEN for attempting
TO stab a gambler known as Red" The
police look upon him as worthless char.
acter and very ircacherous.
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