The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-04
AN OFFICIAL OUTRAGE.
VIM. B. YATES, A DRUNKEN DEPUTY
SHERIFF, AGAIN IN TROUBLE.
How He overstepped All Authority and
Sent Pocket Knife Blade Into the
Face OF an Innocent Colored Driver
Of Furniture Car.

William B. Yates, the young and newly
appointed deputy sheriff, whose disgrace
full conduct in getting drunk and assault
ing Charles Cross with knife, because
Cross resented the unprovoked kicking Of
his dog by Yates, was referred to in yes
terday's issue. Yates was on hand in the
police court Yesterday morning, apparently
sober, and wearing black eye, which he
received by running against Officer Duval's
fist while resisting arrest. There were
three charges against him.--drunk, disor-
derby conduct and assault with knife.
His attorney asked for continuance, and
the case went over until Tuesday next.
The prisoner furnished bond and was re-
leased. It seems that being fully imbued
with the idea that deputy sherifls run this
city, especially when they are drunk, he
went off, proceeded to tank up" and
shortly afterward perpetrated another high
handed Outrage.
Yates has only been ON duty about one
month, and was assigned to Squire Pope's
Office lie had a writ of attachment for
and was at the 'squire's Office. In the
meantime the negro woman who had
owned the furniture had seen Fisher, OF
Second street, from whom she had pur-
chased IT, and he agreed TO let her have
the furniture back, and gave his drayman,
i. M. Weaver, colored, the order OF re-
-r$tase 10 the squire, and directed him to
take his wagon and haul the furniture
back 10 the woman's house, out on Poplar
street.
This Weaver proceeded to do, and pre-
Senting the order TO the squire was told TO
take the furniture and do as his employer
directed. The furniture had been loaded
in the wagon and Weaver was in the act
Of driving off when Yates came up and
told him that he could not have the iurni-
ture. Weaver undertook TO explain, when
Yates began TO unhtch the horses, ours
ing and swearing at the negro all the time
because he would not take the furniture
out of the wagon. Squire Pope came up
and endeavored TO explain TO Yates that
he had given the negro permission 10 take
the furniture away. But the fresh young
deputy, crazed with mean whisky, paid nc
attention TO his superior, and from his
boisterous and profane conduct attracted
quite crowd, especially as the scene was
right In front OF the courthouse. Weaver
was in the act Of rehitchng his horse "a
the wagon when Yates jerked away from
those who were endeavoring 10 pacify him
and rushed around the wagon upon III,
negro unawares, and as he raised his head
from his bent position was stabbed in
the face by the maniacal officer
The weapon used was an ordinary
knife, but the blade was sufficiently lons
20. IL. hlaalx. aud als,.auf fatal trarI IT,.
blade entered on the left side of the face
about midway near the nose. and cut en-
tirely through the flesh about two inches
making agaping, ugly cash. Squire Pop,
called 10 Deputy John Powell TO ares
Yates and he did 30. Yates was uncon
trollabe and offered TO stab Powell, who
warned him that II he did he would xii
him. He then took Yates knife from
him and brought him to the station-house
The scene created by Yates, and enacted
from the courthouse TO the station, wa
disgraceiully shocking 10 all who wit
messed IL. The man was simply craze,
with drink. Weaver bled proiuscly al
the VIZ 10 the station, and was detaine,
there until DIR. Williamson could be sen
for TO dress his wound. II was some tint
before the doctor arrived, and the poo
negro had blcd until he was almost faint
Ing when the doctor arrived and checke,
the flow Of blood. Mr.. Fisher
the ncgros employer, came up 4
the station and was very indignant at th'
way Weaver had been treated. He say
he " one Of the mos. reliable, industrious
and sober drivers he ever had, and that h
will prosecute Yates 10 the full extent o
the law. DIR. Williamson states that
facial artery was severed, and that II th,
bleeding had not been stopped when
was Weaver would have blcd 10 death. ]
required seven or eight stitches 10 close NJ
the cash. Yates, when placed in his cell
ayed like mailman, and he was not yer
far from II. His brief official career la
been curse TO him, and the chances arr
II he lives TO repent Of il, II will not be a
a free man.