The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-28
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to

futhliy -AueCblOnhJo blLtie frlonus.
Lord Lord, how this world is given 10
lyingl
After wodays of the most persistent and
sright faced prevarcation, Aaron Nesbitt,
his spouse and the young women present
at the time OF the tragedy in which Mary
Ellen Seagraves was the victim, have con.
fessed.
There is evidently nothing more crmi-
nal in the case than reckless shooting,
and it really seems an unadulterated case
OF accident, but there is yet peculiar in
terest in il, for tho reason that there has
probably been MS much lying about it us in
any case that has arisen here for years.
The leading role in this tragedy, or the
falsiiying feature init, was cleverly enacted
by the man Aaron Nesbitt who never con-
sidered the idea OF relenting until further
holding out would have been too absurd
for endurance by even the most patient
man.
An APPEAL reporter visited the scene OF
the shooting the night it occurred.
Among other witnesses, or neighbors, in
terrogated was Nesblt and his wife, TO.
gcther with young woman at his house
| ut the time bearing the euphonious name
OF "Sug," contraction OF Sugar. pre-
sumably. Asearchng line of question was
propounded TO all OF them, which Aaron
took the lead in answering. Ilo was
greatly shocked at the intimation that the
shot came from nearer his house than
forty or fifty yards, and that he knew who
fired It was awiully prepostcrous, accord
| ing to the utterances he volunteered.
| with such natural expression OF coun-
tenance were his statements made that the
reporter swallowed them rs truth.
The next day anothcrnportorial invest-
CATION was prosecuted, continuing well
nigh all the afternoon. Even before Ncs-
bit was called into the game, and whilc
the reporter was studying the hole made
IN the Seagraves home wall by the bullet,
that worthy spotted him and appeared at
door 20 see what was going ON. Con.
WINGED by the silent witness that the fatal
shot came from Nesbittis house, tho re-
porter laid siege 10 him with a battery OF
well matured questions, which had no
further effect that to discomfort and pro-
duce n few contradictions lie maintained
the most touching ignorance Of the whole
transaction. But the fellow was not suits.
fled with protcslations from his own
threshold; he stuck TO the investigator 80
closely ut other points that he had TO be
rudcly repulsed
Wednesday night, after Nelson Gray's
arrest and admission, duplicating Nesbit.
the reporter made another dead set at him.
acquainiing him with the character Of the
| prisoners confession. Oh, no: IL was all
wrong lie was not positive, but believed
he had seen Gray OF the house OF sea-
graves on the night Of the tragedy. Hal
he seen him anywhere else, or his gun,
just prior to the shooting2 Why, the
question was too ridiculous 10 require an
answer Oi course he had not, and he
stuck 10 II.
Yesterday, In accordance with directions
from Gray, the police visited Nosbitts
house. and after tearing away n little
freshly put on newspaper found the bullet
hole made by the ball In It's passage from
the front room Of that house. "Why.
Mr.. Policeman, that hole has been there a
long time; You can find large number Of
them around the house." said Nesbitt's
spouse. A request 10 he shown some OF
iailcl 10 disclose their presence. Being In
direct range with the hole in the Scagrayes
house wall WIS too much fine evidence for
the woman, and finally she came down
from her lofty pinnacle Of assumed igno.
rance and told all about il. Nesbtt was
then arrested. Gray was brought ont and
related his story in front Of the men. Shak.
ing his head solcmnly, the boss liar in.
sisted, by all that was holy, that IL was all
wrong. Then the discovery NJ his home
was brought 10 his attention. and
also the rifle from which the ball
sped and other pointed evidence. Then
Ncsbilt became very communicative and
accommodating. lie knew all about IL In
the start In fact, while Gray pasted
paper over the hole from the inside. lac
filled Il from the inside. All those present
at the time OF the shooting. he said. had
entered into n solemn compact 10 main.
tain rigid silence, and he was simply liy.
ing up 10 IL.
This ends the investigation into case
that held the public spcllbound for brief
period. The only thing remaining IL 10
deal out whatever punishment bciiis those
responsible for the death Of the little Girl.
Their trial will be had before Judge Had.
den this morning.
Benevolent souls. learning Of the dcsti.
tuition 0t the Scagravcs family. contributed
the following amounts for rclicf purposcG
john ]. Barry and John S. Daily - each;
cash, -; VI. T. Garyin, $3.50. cash, ~;
cash, 81; VI. Larkin. a.; II. Kupborscd.
mUdt, ~; Nat Taylor, 81; cash, nity cents;
cash, fiiiy cents
A yeai ago last Christmas little Ellen
Scagraycs resided with her parents on
Robinson street. In the northeastern part
OF the city. She was pretty aud popular,
and had ever 70 many appcciatiyc play.
mates. Knowing she was poor her young
friends collected several baskets 81 nice
things, including delicacies for her invalid
mother and the baby, and nj the same
time gave 10 little Ellon freely in the way
oi toys aud thc like. The handsome little
fayorio was made happy by her neighbofs
that Christmas day, aud this Christmas
many Of her old Time friends. IN their
grief nj her death ~ sudden and unox.
peclcd, asked TO be- allowed 10 give some
thing from their little rl0rcs toward de-
iraying the expenses II her funeral. Sew
cril wanted 10 ~ 10 the humble abode Of
the little dead girls parents TO see her aud
at the same time see that she had respect.
able inlcrmcnt