The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-27

unu niSstb, turing WHICH the terms low
ardsl' 'Traitorsv etc., were applied. Just
before We reached the door, chair, which
some one had thrown, struck my brother,
who went out with me, in the back, al
most knocking him down. This was tho
signal for grand rush for us, and had we
not increased the speed Of our retreat to n
degree that would have done credit TO a
inst-clsss Splinter, perhaps the first prac-
tical operations OF their bloody resolve
would have been upon u.s."
"Since you we're not permitted TO hear
the diaboliGi sections OF the committees
report, how do you know there were any
such?"
"By visit I and my companions had
the honor Of receiving early the next morn
ing, in fact, before daylight. | was in
formed that the new constitution provided
Tor the death Of any man who outrageously
betrayed the confidence OF club members,
or wilfully defrauded them Of their just
earnings. Tho visitors further informed
me that only myself and tho seven who
accompanied me in the deserton were
aware Of what had and would he done,
and warned I'M TO forever abstain from dis
closures, on penalty OF being the first to
fall"
"Are Won not, then, afraid to divulgc the
secret now"
'No; for il not already beyond the reach
OF their vengeance, will be before they
can overhaul me. will not tell even you
where or how ] am going, or say that am
going any further"
Have you heard from the organization
since that early morning visit OF warming"
II was determined TO SEQ. and hear for
myself to what length II had gone, but for
several weeks was bafied in my resolve.
You see, after deciding upon this policy
that would entail outlawry, in order TO fur
thcr protect themselves, the old odgc-room
was abandoned and n secret meeting place
secured. That was the cellar, of which
have already told you. II wa only few
days since that learned the location, and
under heavy disguise | lounged about
the saloon, feigning horizontal intox-
ication. The desperation Of my sit
uation makes my blood run chill
every time revert 10 II. Shortly after
midnight the last patron OF the place was
elected except myself, and the bar
keeper closed the doors. He tried several
times TO get me ON my feet and hustle mo
along with tho others, but ! was too
heavy and timber, so he took my watch
and money. aud threw me over under n
table In corner. lay thero for about
AN hour, when there came smothcrcd
rapping at the rear door. The bar
keeper hurried 10 answer, but before doing
40 paid mo another visit OF inspection.
40 lar as he could discover, was In n
profound sleep. Tho door was opened, n
dozen or more men entered and called for
beer. As they emptied tho glasses they
discussed the business Of the meeting they
had just left, but In subducd tones. |
caught enough, though, 10 know that they
are IN the midst Of hclish scheme"
At this point tho speaker stopped short,
his frame shook vihbly, and beads of per
spiration stool out upon his forehead lie
looked intently nj the reporter for fully n
minute. rs II 10 reassurc himself that lac
was not addressing one Of the conspirators,
then continued:
eyes, II is a hellish plot TO assaSsinate
nearly dozen prominent and wealthy
men, including two officials. How kept
from betnying myself while the blood
thirsty fcnds cooly discussed their plans,
IL more than ! can understand. More
than once caught myself just In time 30
avert an accident that would have led 10
my certain death"
What were their plans?'
simply stated, In watch their opportu-
nifty, and whenever conditions ARE iavor-
ablc. apply the knlle OF use other weapons.
Each oSI1Tioi,s individuals firi it,-! -aiid
his cxccuiioncn are assigned They arc
not going 10 take any chances Of failure or
detection that can be- forcsccn aud avoided,
and the organization IN such that should
the plans be- carried out, with the public
totally In ignorance OF the perpetrators, the
assassins might forever escape richly.mer-
tied apprehension aud hanging"
"DO you not consider Il your imperative
duty 10 disclose the names OF these cold.
bloodcd wrctches3"
"Not 10 you for publication, but they
arc known by q few determined mon, who
are watching every monument ~ far M
pupiblc. Heads Of the police department
are cogniyant, but do not want 20 spoil
good job by nipplng their operations In the
bud. The watchers arc al waiting for an
attempt 10 lie made, and then there will
be wholesale arrests aud something for the
laws exccutioncrs 10 do"
"Wcrc the consplrators not afraid TO
discuss their schemes In the saloon and
before the barkccpcr2"
Both the proprietor and barkeeper arc
leading members OF the gang, aud would
lie before exposing anything said or
done"
How dbl YOU finally make your escape
from the saloonr'
"Whcn the harkccpcr told them Of my
presence hcy hauled me out from under
the table. II ever | norcd yociieroualy In
my life Il was then They discussed the
question of what should bc dono Tor scve.
raj minutes, ut Last deciding that | was
only n stupidity drunk loaicr, and rushed
me 10 the sidewalk. "A soon ~ the door
closed behind me lost no time In putting
distance between us.
"Aro the asaassinaiions contemplated In
obedience ~ their platform for yenguancc2'
mot altogether, for robbery has come
90 bc one OF their fundamental principles.
The two officials marked are supposed 10
know little something's Of the organization,
or at least 10 suspect u, and u is 10 rid
themselves Of the menace that they are TO
be pct out ~ the way. low Of the Others
arr for vengeance, coupled with robbery,
whila the remainder are purely for plum.
der"
"wfll you kindly cpcat tho names Of
the ringleadcr, that may get them all
absolutely oornci2'
II haven't told you their names At all.
and VIII not at present, Tor tho reasons
stated
The gentleman who made the foregoing
terrible disclosures u not crazy, nor " lac d
crank. Therefore they are published n,
authoritative, though they arc too appal.
/ l. l.. H. A