The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-22
MURPHY JACKSON AFFAIR
THE OTHER SIDE AS AGAINST THE
DEPUTY sHERIFPS STORY.
Mr.. jackson Had Done Nothing but Mild
ly Protect His Family from Calumny,
and the Arresting Oncers Illegally
Presumed Upon Their Importance.


and the Arresting ofncers Illegally
Presumed Upon Their Importance.
John Jackson, whom Deputy Sherifls
], J. Murphy and Mike Butler arrested,
after wounding him, last Sunday morn
ing, languishes in Jail and is under in
dictmcnt.
The latter feature in his condition is no
reflection upon the grand jury, for as or
ganized at present it is an excellent one,
and one side only is the regulation hear.
ing given every case presented to it.
The version heard in his case was main
ly by the two deputy sherins and the
Italian, Corotto. When il comes to trial
his defense will be somewhat ON the fol-
lowing order, which in measure cor.
roboratcs the first statement made 10y
Mike Butler TO an ArrrAL reporter
MEMPHIS, Tenn, July u, lSSs.
To the Editor oi The Appeal.
As there are always two sides to a ques-
ton, ] ask you, in justice 10 u man who
has been, | might say, outrageously
treated 10y sell-important deputy sheriff,
TO publish this communication. | refer
to the Murphy-Jackson affair, which oc.
cured last Sunday, out ON the Poplar
street boulevard, and OF which only one
side has been published, that OF the
officers. do not wish TO do an injustice
to any man or living creature upon this
earth, but this enlightened century was
never more grossly outraged, according To
my mind, 10y an officer or any civilized
being than by the manner in which the
Jackson family was treated last Sunday.
! do not refer TO the matter personally or
maliciously, as some might construc the
remarks, but in the official capacity Mr..
Murphy assumed in arresting man five
year old boy officer could have taken, and
giving the facts as they really were. And
TnE FACTS ARR THESE:
In the early part Of last fall Mr.. jackson
moved into the Corotto house from Brink
ley avenue, where he had been living for
some time. lie was getting along very
happily there with his family up To and
until about six weeks ago, when
he made visit 10 some rcla-
tvcs, leaving his wife and three
children in the Corotto house. Mr.. Jack
son returned, and IL was only few DAYS
aitcrward that friends Of Jackson informed
him that Corotto had been talking very
roughly about his wife. Last Friday Jack
son met COrotto In q grocery out ON the
boulevard and told him that lac would
look over what he (Corotto) had said
about his wife, but not Ia do ~ any more.
Corotto replied by calling Mrs. jackson
''your damned wife" Jackson rcmon.
stratcd with him, hut 90 no effect, and
Corotto continuing 20 abuse his wife,
Jackson pushed him of the porch, when
CorottO rushed upon him with stilcttO.
jackson, Of course, got out OF the way.
being unarmed jackson then told
Corotto's brother that lac would mover run
any more from another man. Then came
warrant, sworn out by COrotto say
ing that Jackson had threatened his
life. The warrant was put into the hands
Of Murphy. Murphy monkeycd around
Jackson's house all Saturday night, aud
when Sunday came, having gotten an ~.
sistant went 10 his house, and seeing
Jackson on his steps, told him 20 come
and 90 10 town. jackson, not knowing
who they were Murphy not showing any
warrant, }, asked why lac should go Il
town. Murphy then called him a ed
d-n s-n Of n b-h, and other vile
names. Jackson requested Murphy not
10 call him any names, ~ he was q gen.
tloman, and not having any shirt or coat
ON, asked Murphy 10 wait minute until
he could get them on, and he would 20
with them. But no, he had 10 go then
and there, and Murphy laid hands upon
him. With that Jackson stretched forth
his hands, and both officers fell sprawling
in the dirt. Now, mind you, not n war.
rant was read during this time, aud Jack.
son did not know who the men were.
Murphy then pulled his pistol and banged
away at Jackson. Jackson then pulled n
pistol. which he had just gotten out Of his
blacksmith shop, and fired, the ball pass.
ing through the coat Of Murphy assistant
Murphy and his assistant fired five shots,
four Of which went into Jackson's thigh,
one or two Of them being after jackson
had fallen. Not being satisfied with this
inhuman outrage, Murphy rushed upon
Jackson with n club and beat him about
the head; aud no doubt the affair would
have been moro serious had not Jackson
wife rushed out. threw herself upon her
husbands body and begged them
not 90 kill him. Murphy threatened
her with n club and called her n damned
liar, etc. Tho three beautiful little girls
also begged for their fathers life while
Murphy was swinging his club. Great
scotsl this outrage in q civilized country
and In y peaceful family They then
dragged him 10 the street corner, Murphy
cusing him all the way, and carried him
10 jail. Not satisfied with his outrageous
conduct during the day, Murphy returned
after dark and demanded, without law or
authority, gun, the only protection q
lone woman had while her husband lay
wounded and nigh unto death mile or
two away.
Further comment II unnecessary. !
only ask you 10 publish these facts that
| Justice may be done 10 an outraged family
/ and an outraged community. Mr.. Jackson
has lived In Memphis over eighteen years
and this N the first time lac has ever got
ten into such trouble, which shows plainly
enough that he Ia q peaceful aud law abid.
/ ing citizen, attending strictly 10 his own
business and not molcsiing any one else.
FRiEsD.
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