The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-29
SHADY PROCEEDINGS.
Did onicers of theTugboat N. M. Jones
Connive In Mnrderers EscapeY

zones
Connive in Mnrderer's Esoapep
An old colored man named Price died
on one OF the Barton plantations, near
Marion, Ark. on Monday last, from in.
juries inflicted the preceding Friday. Ills
death, together with transaction be.
lievcd to have followed it yesterday, will
doubtless cause serious complications to
moro than one party.
On Friday OF last week the colored man
Price came to Memphis on the ferry
steamer Alice. to purchase supplies for
his small plantation home. Among other
things, he bought a side Of meat, and re.
turned with his stock ON one of the after
noon trips of the ferry. When he reached
Mound City, the other end of the
steamers run, he started TO leave the
boat, carrying the meat with him.
Stationed on the whariboat was n white
clerk, named White, whose duty il was 10
collect Tor freight carried over As Price
walked of without paying other than his
own passage White demanded that he pro.
duce % cents 10 square the freight account.
Whether under the influence of LIQUOR or
naturally impudent Is not known, but Mt
all events Price pulled quarter from his
pocket and threw ii to White with the re-.
mark, Here, You poor white man, III
give you that The remark inccnscd the
clerk, who picked up heavy iron weight
and threw il at the darby, irlcluring his
skull and knocking him senscless. The
injured man was taken home, where he
died Monday from the hurt.
Here comes in the complications which,
II reports be true. are the result Of singu.
lar and unaccountable conduct on the part
OF outsiders who intericred. Yesterday,
about o'clock am, Patrolman Howard
Chaslainc telephoned 10 police headquar-
tens that n man had been killed ut Hone.
Held and the slayer was crossing to the
mouth OF Wolf river on tugboat. Chief
Davis was in the station at the timo the
message was received, and hurriedly
mounted horse to proceed TO the scene.
Arriving Mt Wolf river lac saw the tug n.
Nj. Jones coming down that stream toward
the Mississippi. lie procured u skitf and
crossed the river, in company with Sergt
lioran, who came up soon aitcrward. 10.
gcther they skirnished about on the west
bank OF Wolf river until party Of fisher.
men were found. and from these learned
that the tug had landed short distance
above them and put white man
ashore. Tho officers went 10 tho place
designated, found human footprints on
the ground, and followed the trail
until n party OF wood-choppcrs were en-.
countered. They were inierrogaled, and
replied that not great while before n
white man wearing q rray-looking suit OF
clothes aud derby hat had been seen
making up the river in the edge VI the
woods. Chief and sergeant ngain took IN
the trail and followed il 10 the railroad
bridge, where IL was lost. They returned
10 the city, RECESSED "a this side OF Wolf
river. and again mounted horses. Two
patroln e. were detailed 10 cross the river
and scOur the woods toward the bridge,
while the officers proceeded 10 Frazer
station 10 ride back toward the city, hop.
ing thereby to intercept the fugitive. An
parties met mt the bridcc. not having sue.
ceeded in their object, and came back 10
the city, arriving about o'clock D. m.
whites escape, from all that could be
learned, was through the conniyance OF
the tugs officers nan APrEAL reporter
interviewed the old colorcd man employed
on the ferry whari.bo.it foot OF Jefferson
street, who after much evasion related
facts leading to the following conclusions,
When the steamer Alice left Mound City,
about 7l5 O'Clock yesterday morning:
White was on duty nj his regular post,
Mound City. Mr.. James Couch, the clerk
Ut this end 81 the line, was on hand here,
During tho forenoon the latter received
orders Ia proceed 10 Mound City on the
tug.boat referred 20, and did 10. When
the tug reached Mound City Mr.. Couch
was landed and White taken aboard, with
the result previously given. These are the
situations IA they appeared after the fullest
investigation possible. II IL but Just
10 state, however, that no one CON
ncctcd with the tug N. NJ. Jones
was seen with reference 10 liz partici.
patton in Whites escape, owing 10 their
inacccssibility. So far as known no action
tending toward n clearing up Of this part Of
the mystery wis taken by the police. In
fact, the who affair was No shroudcd in
doubt, that Chief Davis could only say no
believed there was something IN the re-
port, without knowing anything definite.
Patrolman Chnstaine received his informa.
ton from n cOlorcd man who refused %
diyulge names or other particulars ON the
ground that he would lose his Job. As
the scene Of the reported tragedy was sew.
enl miles distant, and in another state,
the police Of this city could no nothing but
endeavor 20 arrest the guilty party, who
WIS said TO be making for this side Of the
river, without any further definite idea.
Tho affair will stand moro minute invest.
CATION.