The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-01
THE TALE OF A GRIPsAcK.
Whonever 1t Begins to Glide Around
the Police Follow Suit.


Bob White is the misleading name OF q
very tough citizen Of Memphis, for in hue
he is as black as the finest specimen OF
coal. Just now the police are yearning
and searching for him in spirit OF zeal
equal 10 that displayed by an afectionate
mother for her young but reprobate prod
igal. There is no charge based upon re-
cent yillainous transactionst to lodge against
Bob, but he keeps the blue-coated
guardians of the peace in boiling water, to
use figure Of speech, whenever he roams
at largo in his native pasture. Bob's
great failing Is hen roosts, and when un-
fettered 1t is cold night in midsummer
when he fails 10 sally forth at early candle
light in search Of inviting fields for depre-
dations. Bob has weakness for a black
gripsack, and those who know him not
would be ready TO wager bottle OF cider
against clay marble that he was foot
sore and weary traveller OF the pedestrian
army. No matter where he is bound
except 10 the pcnitentiary aforesaid
black grip is Bobs constant compan-
ion. Hen roosts are TO 1t familiar
object Bob's modus operandi is decidedly
original and peculiarly secure from detec-
ton, provided the actual raid is accom-
plishcd in safety. He doesn't convey tho
fowls 10 his home 10 fix ormarket; oh, no;
he is too sharp TO have give-away cackles
and feathers about hispremiscs. Arriving
at a safo distance from the scene OF theft,
he halts, prepares his captures, deposits
them in the grip and takes thom 10 con-
venient corner grocery, where suspicion
is next TO impossible. Cunning Bob
But Bob Is also desperate Niger, and
once upon time acted 70 rashly as TO
draw the police upon his trail. Unpro-
tected females in lonely sections with val
liable looking packages proved too great a
temptation, and no fell. So did the fe-
male, under the weight Of n forcible at
tack. This species oil depreciation became
quite frequent and alarming. Secret in
vestigation established suspicion upon
Bob, though at that time he was unknown
TO the police. All this was long time
ago. One day Capt. OlIayer and
Detective Pryde went skirmishing
for Bob, relying largely upon luck to
bring the enemy into their hands. They
had sneaking idea Us TO the locality OF
his abode, and upon arriving found a
healthy looking negro practicing the
methods employed in horticulture. Boldly
approaching the industrious son OF Africa,
they inquired his name. II was, No he re-
piled, Clark. Did he know where n Niger
named White could be found2 He did, but
that individual was not then at home.
His domicile was with him, Clark.
Would he assist them in search
for several articles supposed 10 have
been stolen by White? Oh, yes
his utmost ondeavors would be put forth
in that direction. Were those articles in
the loft Of the shanty2 lie felt sure they
were, and straightway both the officer,
were provided with n ladder and given {
boost 10 the attic. Where is White, alia'
Clarke lie is gone. This was the fins
experience OF the police with them. Wa
the fellow who met and assisted them ~
innoccntly and earnestly really Bobl lor
bet Il was.
Several weeks aiterward Bob was agair
located, this time In Chelsea. Capt
O'Ilayer pulled out after him. The objec
OF the visit bcheld his official friend, anC
the o. (. discovered his acquaintance who
refused TO stand watch while he prosecuted
tho search for stolen goods on a former oc
casion. Each desired 10 meet the other
hence there was no wild chase. Boss
Use been lookin' fer you a long time.
wanted 10 tell you bout dat niggc
White" Bob, I've heard tina
racket aforc. Long have | sough
you, and now that NO NEE
Won must not iorsako me-" In order {,
make his pleading invitation effective, th'
captain introduced links Of steel. Bob &c
ccpled. lie was tried, sentenced, sen
up and escaped. This proceeding was nc
pca,cd time and again, the willy Bob Away
shielding his identity. II Is intimate,
tina, there are uncxpircd terms In the pen
iicniiary hanging over him aggrcgitinl
forty or fifty years. The last tim
he escaped. he wrote n letter 10 tn
warden telling him 10 20 TO -.
Bob Is here again, and the police ar
again active. Capt ollaycr and Dctec
tive Prydo are out with pistols, field
glasses and dark lanterns, looking for tina
black gripsack and Us owner and oonstan
companion. Something's going 10 drop.