The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-28
VERY TOUGH TERRITORY:
MORAL ATMOSPHERE ALONG FRONT
STREET THAT NEEDS PURIFYING.
A Section Of tho City Where Characters
Who Would Stop at Nothing to Secure
Cash or Valuables From Pedestrians
Cases Illustrating the Condition.

Front street, for the most part between
Adams and Popular, contains more tough
resorts TO the square yard than any other
section of the city.
This is fact for long recognized by the
police, and many a man caught around
there after darkness had settled upon this
part of the world.
The mass of unwashed humanity in
testing the district are in the broadcast
sense cosmopolitan, OF all sexes, rationale
ties and conditions OF life. Long practice
in the art of holding up, knocking down
and otherwise disposing OF individuals to
get control of the surplus cash and valua-
bles about them, has made them beauti-
fully proficient. Negroes and whites min
gle together with all the freedom and in
timacy incident TO communities OF COM
mon interest. There may be honor among
them, but it doesn't reach out far enough
TO touch the outside fellow who wanders
into their midst bearing anything but
rags.
A short time since case that serves %
illustrate the perfect understanding whi&
exists among them in any and all emerl
gencies, occurred A lot OF clothing had
been stolen, and the police knew pretty
well in what neighborhood it could be
found. The Sergeant who was detailed to
make the search, invited an APPEAL re-
porter 10 accompany him, promising that
''the sights under candie-light' would
amply reward him for the ordinarily haz-
ardous trip. The newspaper man never
hesitated. but proceeded to shake his
nervousness, grid his armor about him
and follow. The first dive entered was q
crap and gambling den. presided over by a
coon, one that seldom misses a day in
being mentioned in connection with some
breach of order against the peace and dig
nifty OF the state. As the two crossed the
three hold they were met by dilapidated
chunk OF humanity, upon whom there
had been laid the relnorselCss hand Of Fate
with blighting effect About half the
more useful members OF his body had dis
appeared, probably as penalty for mid
night raids upon hen roosts or other well
| protected private property. \ crutch and
waking stick supplied the vacancy. The
noise made by these and the one remain
ing loo, in his DECENTRALIZATION was OF pc
culiar character like the first licks
OF green recruit on snare drum, aug
mentcd 10y n small coon who was DESTROYS
OF displi ying his agility and skill in the
shuttle
That's n signal; keep your eye on the
gun, whispered the sergeant.
The reporter did keep his eye peeled,
N II only ON the gun, but for guns. Pretty
soon black clouds came up from every
direction, moved steadily toward the main
entrance and centered on the sidewalk in
front for moment, then dispersed and
disappeared.
That gang was around the crap board
and other low gaming stands when We
entered" said the sergeant, but uiS-sss--
already familiar with tho scene OF opera
tons you couldn't locate 1t tonight.
unaided. The miserable unfortunate We
iirst met was The main guy OF the watch,
and his pitiful hobble WAS made 10 order
for this and similar occasions"
We didn't have TO search very long
before the missing clothing was found,
stored away behind counter. IL had
been given up for whatever the proprietor
would yield up for IL; and here is where
no end OF stolen goods 90.
Justice Barry had another case before
hiIn yesterday that takes It's place in tho
history OF that locality. Jim Lee and
Newton Smith were before him, charged
with downing and robbing colored zap
from Arkansas, named Jones, Of S2j. On
Wednesday, the day OF their arrest, Smith
proclaimed himself an innocent Of the
most pronounced stripe, one who would
much rather give a man SO than 20 DO
even family suspected OF having unfairly
obtained. 10y any sort OF hokus-pokus, |
cent. While in the midst Of his self APP
piled withdrawing Sergt. lloran entered
the courtroom and recognized him rs one
Scott, who, the Sergeant said. had been
stealing about here for ten years past.
Tho trial Of the parties came on yestcr.
day morning. when, 10 and behold there
were seven witnesses on hand 10 swear
that Jones had not been In the dive at all.
lie had no witnesses 10 establish his case,
and the prisoners were discharged, much
against the grain OF the Justice, who felt
strongly convinced in his mind that there
was, 90 put II mildly, some faint upon the
truth. lie remarked 90 the defense coun-
sci that there must have been some lying
from the witness stand, and the relieved
lawyer admitted that such might have been
the case. When the witnesses were clear
Of the courtroom some Of them expressed
determination 10 whip a certain fellow
who had not sworn Gquarely up 20 l+H~s-'
tract.
such ~ life In grca, and growing city
, like Memphis, but u does seem that the
authorities might stretch the blanket n
little 10 purify the moral atmosphere Of
the vicinity In mention. With less than
a dozen brave aud alert policemen 10 keep
an eye open and arms ready to protect, II
would be n miracle for well dressed man
10 pass safely through the territory be-