The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-02

Some three weeks ago President MADDEN
stated TO an APPEAL reporter that no and
other police officials had information that
certain negro clubs were arming them
selves for election day, next Tuesday, No.
yember 6.
lnterrogated for enlightenment Mr..
MADDEN said he had been informed that q
large number OF cartridges had been or
dered from abroad, and that guns were
being purchased right along How he oh,
tanned these supposed facts was left for
the reporter to conjecture, and he also re-
qucsted silence on the subject, which was
complied with.
Nothing more was heard about the mat
ter until yesterday. Shortly before supper,
while the reporter was sitting in front Of
the Station house, waiting for something
to turn up, Capt. George I. O'llaver re-
marked that perhaps Chief Davis might
have something Of interest 20 communi-
cate after his return from the Legislative
Council meeting The reporter waited.
When Chief Davis did return, Mr.. An
drew J. Harris and Mr.. Il. Il. Armour,
together with some other outsiders and
policemen, were there. The gentlemen
were soon grouped about the Staton-house
desk, and the story Of the negroes arm
ing was being discussed.
Under instructions from President Had.
den, Chief Davis had detailed Capt.
Ollaver, Scrgt. Koran and Detectives
Pyrdo and Armstrong to search for the re-
ported guns in possession of the negroes.
They had located about fifty, traced their
purchase to the direct or indirect influence
OF cX-Patrolman Townsend ID. Jackson,
and most OF the holders resided in the
Fourteenth Civil District This is the home
OF Mr.. Andrew Harris, and the scene of
the conflict between negroes and whites
on dummy train the evening of
election day last August. These two
llcts were referred to- whccupon Mr..
Harris remarked that in the event
Of another assault, the negroes would not
find the whites similarly situated Tor de-
Tense. Mr.. Harris further related Incl.
dents tending TO subs,antigic the reports
OF war.ikc preparations ON the part Of ne
grocs, among others that l.. II. Eaton was
known TO have given negro an order for
q double barrc,ed shotgun, aud that 10 was
honurcd. Another instance was that on
Last Thursday night a negro had bought n
Winchester repeating rifle, took il away
from the store wrapped in brown paper,
and that shortly after his departure two
other negroes had entered the same store
and purchased lot OF cartridges
Mr.. Armour followed Mr. Harris with a
statement OF The conduct ol negro
servant girl about fourteen years OF age.
who innocrntly inquired as 10 what would
80. - n. a. a
wished b. know, the girl replied that she
had heard some colorcd people say there
was going TO be trouble on that day and
lots Of blood shed.
Chief Davis instructed Sergt. Koran 10
summon I. ID. Jackson TO appear in his
office after supper. when hc would hc put
through searching examination a.
TO his completely in the gun pur-
chascs and the motives therefor.
Jackson put IN an appearance at
Quoted the investigation, but was lpcrnlly
assisted by others present Jnckson's story
aboundod in cyasi0ns and contradictions
The Chief had a long list OF names, made
up Of those known 10 have purchased
guns, aud began by asking the witness II
he knew them. Out OF the thirty or more
brought to his attention, Jackson knew
only about seven or eight and had acted
~ purchasing agent for only four or five.
The others, however, he had no doubt
owned guns, among them ,ihf Rev. Mr.
Anderson, OF the Garfield Orphan Asylum,
and the Rev. TAYLOR Nightingale, Of the
licnle Street Baptist Church. Jackson
himself owned n Colts repeating rifle,
which he purchased something over q
week ago.
Jackson's knowledge Of and connection
with the other purchases came about in
this way, according To his story: He was
regarded by great many OF his people ~
sort OF Moses, and n man willing to
accommodate them In every way practical
bic. lie also run public delivery or
express wagon, knew something Of guns,
aud enjoyed an acquaintance with Mr.
Frank Schumann and Mr.l liichard kupier-
schmidt. These colorcd men, he said,
were busy, desired guns for reasons Of
their own and not disclosed to him, got
him 10 buy and deliver them, for which
he was paid quarter, and further than
that he knew nothing. Jackson further
said that there hal been some talk among
them Of organizing q regular gun club. for
target practice, and that tract OF land on
the Prospect Park dummy line had been
suggested for that purpose.
jackson was rigidly Intercepted upon
the feeling OF the negroes toward the
whites, aud whether the arms laid In by
them were not In reality for their protcc-
ton In that respect He stated that the
negroes were somewhat nervous after the
interview with Mai. J. 4. Petit, published
In THE ArPEAL last August They
thought such sentiments. coming from
man Of Mr.. Pcttits standing and inhu-
cnce In the community, somewhat alarm.
ing. In every case where his advice had
been asked, however he told his people
10 60 along and attend 10 their business,
that the white people were not going 10
run them out or massacre them, and that
lie was not in the least alarmed. IA TO
politics, lac was not taking any part In the
contest, although the members OF the
Harrison aud Morton Club had hOnorcd
him with tho Presidency. Eaton. he
said, had made more than one attempt 10
got him down 10 work, but ~ inr they had
not agreed upon the terms, aud lac was
simply waiting upon the next meeting
with Eaton, which Was 10 occur this after.
noon.
Jackson's examination consumed about
one hour and hall. Ills replies were
given slowly, deliberately and, In most
instances, with consummato evasion. A
number OF pointed questions he positively
declined 10 answer at all, unless Informed
M TO the object Of the investigation. Ono
Of these was as 10 whether lie knew OF
any white people arming themselves, and
another, how many colored people he
knew 10 have purchased them, and still
another, how much money be had paid TO
Mr.. schumann on yesterday. Ito en-
phatically denied having any knowledge