The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-23
DID HE CONVICT HIMSELF?
J. NIXON ON THE WITNESS STAND
IN HIS OWN BEHALF.
Acknowledgement Peters Twists Him
Around Into Contradictions. Confess
sions OF ignorance and Even Crime
Itself-Yssterday's Proceedings.

The trial Of the cases against J. Nixon and
Rhoda Turner for abortion upon and murder
of Willie Tisdell was resumed in the Grim
inal Court yesterday.
Dr. Finck testified that two or three weeks
before the death of Willie Tisdcll, Rhoda
Turner came 20 his drug store and wanted "A
bottle of medicine for certain female
trouble which she named. She returned
shortly and said the medicine did no good,
and wanted something stronger TO bring the
subject around. Rhoda didn't know what
sort of medicine she wanted, but wanted
something stronger. He refused TO give her
anything more. Thought this was two or
three weeks before death of deceased. Rhoda
said that her patient had either caught cold
or was in bad fix.
ii. {. @ &c testified that he passed Rhoda
Turner'S house ON the night before Willie
Tisdells death in company with DIR. Curry
and heard the cries Of distress from woman
on the inside.
Hattie Webb testified that she knew
Willie Tisdell, that size met her at Water
Valley. She also met the deceased at Rhoda
Turner's house. Willie told her that she
was In Memphis on business. The next
time she called, Willie was alone, but lthoda
was in the house. Rhoda came 10 the win
dow and asked witness to hand her the med
icine in the room. The first bottle she
handed Rhoda was u bottle Of orgot. She
then handed other bottles and surgical
instrument. Willie told witness the first
time she called that she was not pregnant
though sle locke Ike n woman who was.
She saw Willie the day before her death,
She was in bed groaning and complaining
bitterly OF her distressing situation. Wit
ness did not talk with DR. Nixon or Rhoda
Turner about the affair. Willie wore n loose
wrapper the first time witness called, but
was In bed the second time. Witness did
not know what the instrument was, had
never seen one before. The instrument
was Of clrs.ic material aud of some length,
with an ivory tip Willie was perfectly
well on the day when witness passed in.
strumcnt out of the window tu Rhuda.
The State intended aud greatly desired 10
Introduce Mr. ~ Picard as u witness, but the
absence Of that gentleman In Mississippi
rendered II impossible ut present There
were no more witnesses beside him, aud the
defense witnesses were brought forward.
Nixon was the first lie remained on the
stand nearly all the forenoon, and afforded
absorbing interest for the court jury and
spectators by his confusing evidence His
direct examination WIS nothing butn sweep
ing denial of any completely IN or rgponsi-
biliiy for the girls death but Gen. Peters
made him sweat on the Cru-s-cNu minutiun.
As an example Of the Cunglumcptc replies
the girl be- did not give her an examination
aud prescription, because Rhodi Turner
said She had chill, and he sup
posed she knew what she was talk
Ing about Later Ia reply 10 the same
question. Nixon stated that when he arrived
Il was plain to him that the patient was
near dissolution, medicine would have done
her no good. therefore hc gave her none.
Gen. Peters reminded him Of the Ill crop
ancy. and The witness s1unrclCl himself by
saying that II be- gave the hr,t rcply lac did
not mean H. Again coucrcd toward the
Close of his examination, Nixon admitted
that De did wrong in not prescribing for the
patient The witness may not have con
victcd himself In the minds uf the mry-a
very intelligent hody-hut hc did with
nearly everyone iu the courtroom. us the re-
porter aiicrWard learned through converse
lions ltWusa very gratifying surprise 10
Gen Peters