The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-30
THE POTENCY OF TEARS.
WHEN SHED By GENTEEL WOMEN,
THE HEART OF MAN MUST GAVE.
Commissioner Clough Finds Himself
Confronted by Them in Two Counter
feiting Case1, and Deputy Marshal
Smith M lst Fe3lir Himself.

When THE APPEAL reporter called at
the Office of Judge Hammond yesterday
afternoon he found that dignitary con-
doing with his court clerk and United
States Commissioner John b. Clough.
The latter gentleman and official had
serious attack Of woman's tears and rea-
sonable doubt in preliminary trial OF two
suspected counterieiters, over which he
had just presided.
Mr.. Coughs dilemma grew ont OF the
following combination OF circumstances,
as related by witnesses and defendants:
Deputy United States Marshal Smith,
Memphis Patrolman AL Hurst and the
sheriff Of Upton county on Friday last ar
rived in this city with a gang OF five men,
ali supposed to be guilty OF manufacturing
and circulating composition, even OF the
shape and valuation OF Uncle Samuel's
genuine silver dollar. The prisoners were
yanked in by the officers at Ashport, Tip
ton county, landing on the Mississippi
river, and were engaged in the trade and
fish boating industry presumably as a
| blind for their neiarious practice. Thrl+
of the prisoners, those taken from the
hearing by Commissioner Clough and dis
charged from custody, the evidence
against them being insufficient for COM
mtment. The remaining two, Samuel C.
Malone and +. w. Bayliss, from the fish
ing or family boat. were not 80 fortunate.
They related highly Improbable story,
the sum total OF which failed TO strike q
balance sheet That they had exchanged
some OF the spurious coin for supplies, OF
one kind or another, there WIS no lack OF
proof and the defendants did not attempt
10 deny il. To eXouerate themselves,
Malone and Bayliss claimed 10 have re-
ceivcd six pieces OF 1t from a lone skiilman
in exchange for fish net, the barter
and trade being, as they at the time sup
posed fair and satisfactory one. Who
the mysterious and vllainous skiffman
was, or in which direction he went after
abusing their confding ignorance, they
could not tell. Neither could they account
Tor the possession OF one extra piece, the
holding Of which was rather clearly proven
against them, in this wise: The porter Of
the steamer Gayoso sworc most positively
that the two defendants honeyfugged him
out Of goods for which lac charged - good
currency wherever the credit OF this glo-
rious government Is established, and in
stead they gave him two pieces Of their de-
ceptive mold OF composition. This
transaction the defendants strenuously
protested was a fabrication Uf the basest
sort, and should consign the false witness
to a suit of striped clothes, clean shaycn
pate and hard labor for term OF
years under unmerciful government
guards. But the porter witness had
slid it, and proposed TO fight il out ON that
line II he missed his vote Tor Harrison and
Morton, with Eaton added for good
weight. After dallying with the innn.
ccncc OF this witness, The defendants pad
died over 20 Ashrort and pulled the wool
OF 81 @ irosity over the eyes u unsophisli.
Gated inhabitants Of that town for i've
pieces. These, through coercion Of some
sort, were ailcrward redeemed with good
and lawful money OF these United States
TO the value OF S. So there were seven
pieces. stamped after the mfnner OF Sam
my's silver one dollar coins, traced TO the
prisoners, with their disqualification for
only six. So the hideous dilemma OF Com
missioner Clough suddenly arose from the
cindcrs Of that one extra piece.
After he had listened aitentiyely TO the
tales OF prosecutors and counter tales, the
| NNNallilllN~lNANl WIZ AhRhN w MN ~ W
, 'cm" when the prisoners wives made
terrible assault upon his store house Of
compassion. With dishovelcd hair rest
: ing loosely upon their shoulders, tears
; streaming from their eyes, and agony Of
; soul finding Judgement and vent in every
tone, ticy impored him 10 speak not tho
words which would consign their adored
protectors TO n cruel cell; they were poor,
iniserably poor, and 10 be thus deprived
: Of their only support meant suffering, and
: perhaps death.
; Commissioner Clough heard their pa
thciic pleading, forcibly remembered that
there might be some mistake about that
, one piece unaccountcd for, wavcred In his
judgment, and was about half way inclined
10 bow In humble submission 10 woman's
powerful tears Then came again the
tempicr, Deputy Marshal Smith, who
) prodded him into resistance with the state.
mcnt that there were UT other Witness
ut Ashpon whose testimony left no doubt
OF the prisoners guilt. Thus impalcd
upon the two horns OF the dilemma, the
Judge ord crcdfurher proof, pending the
arrival Of which the cases would remain
. in slalu quo, or innocuous dcsuetude, as