The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-23

1t has been many day since Memphis
was 70 stirred by any event as the staying
OF J. Mack Brown by Lewis Lane, at the
Peabody hotel Tuesday night.
II was the more alarming because COM
mitted by one who has enjoyed oil the
liberties OF a thoroughly sane person,
since his removal from Holly Springs,
Miss, TO Memphis several years ago.
II WAS tho work OF young man who
has held responsible position in one OF
the leading law offices OF the city, moved
ia social circles at pleasure, and never for
one moment was considered more than
merely eccentric.
People Of all classes have freely dis
cusscd the affair in It's every phase, and
have racked their brains for a satisfactory
explanation Of Lanes murderous inClina-
tion.
"what do you think Of the MURDER
inquired an ArrEAL reporter VI DIR. Thorn
ton.
III cannot see how conviction that he
was crazy can be avoided, said the doc
Tor, Though | have seen Lane n number
of times aud never before believed other.
wise than that hc was all right mentally.
lie is what may be termed monomaniac.
Ills crime reminds me slightly OF one that
ACQUIRED here during or Just after the war.
NV father defended the prisoner in his
trial aud secured his acqulital. man,
whose wife had been scduced and cstrangcd
from him, determined TO slay the despoiler
The intended victim could not be found
One day. in the northern part Of the city
he found stranger became firmly con
WINGED that lac was the man, and fired
upon him with fatal effect. Tho mind Of
this man had 10 long been permitted e
run In the channel Of killing that he be
came monomaniac on the subject"
Gen. q. 7. VI. Turner Is not one Of the
lawyers Who believes In the sort OF pro
miscuous shooting innuguratcd by lane
and SAYS he thinks he could apply it'll,
healthy law 10 his case.
Another lawyer, though impressed with
thc idea that this community h not in
rlincd 90 commisscraic Lane, thought thu
trial would be only nominal one, result
ing perhaps, In having the dcicndan
confined in the lunaiic asylum.
A There vas altogether different scnu
mont among the business classes, thos
vto do not stand upon tho laws quibble
and technicalitios and medical opinions
worc ouispoken for n thoroughly impartia
AMI iar-rcaching investigation. lfthe fact
wen not conclusive that Lane was vic
tin Of gilt.cdgcd insanity, then the Law
warranting capital punishment, which la
been n dead letter In shelby county 70
years, should be revived and made a Wig
orous statute. Young Lane should moi
tho driit Of sentiment went, be permitto
20 palm of any monkey business on th
court and jury.
Said one gentleman 20 tho reporter
81 note one thing, the murderer stated
his interview, along with other raiionI
sayings, and that was his desire 10 eduI
fhe feat OF Workmanship practiccd b
Russell Goodwin on young Dalton. Thu
strikes me a. evidence that there WI
method In his madness. Now let me ~
You . psychological question: II Godwi
hal not shot Dalton, or u, having sh'
him, he had been punished, would Ian
have Killed Brown IN very much the san
manner There are too many NJ this kiu
OF iurllirs abroad. few healthy ~
RmpIcs would serve ihc COMMUNITY a goa
Nu' .l' aup'hc. tir.ua good deal
f0frr 1913" .iI '.Er ihr HtuI
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