The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-12
Capt. O'Haver Indignantly Denies
that Torture Story.
Is tho Tale of n Notorious Procuress
to Avail
Against tho Statements Of Reputa-
Bile Officers of tho Lave
Tho Grand Jury Takes Hold OF the
Case Attorney General Peters
Determined to Prosecute
Vigorously.

Let not the real issue in the Tisdcll case
be ohscurcd or sidctmckcd by collateral
complications. let II he remembered that
neither Capt. George O'llaycr or Sergt He'd
rick are accused or suspected OF having been
accessory TO the murder Of Willie Tisdell.
IL is important 20 keep these things In mind
IN order that public attention may not DO
diverted from the real criminals and di-
rcctcd, a. II was yesterday by ingenious
counsel for defendants, 10 two officers u
the law who were cndcavoring 20 brighten
notorious procurcss and nhortionist into
confcssing what had become Of a child born
az her house TE ArrEAL made no mention
Of the charge that Rhoda Turner had been
taken into the black hole at tho station
house aud tortured because THE ArPEAL did
not believe n solitary wordof H. The infor-
nation camo from Rhoda Turner herself,
who is such notorious and unblushing liar
that no reasonable creature would believe
her ON oath unless her statements received
confederation from other sources
Capt. O'llaycr yesterday Informed an Ar.
rENL reporter that Rhoda lied, that not q
hair oi her head WIS injured, and that no at
tempt whatever was made tO torture her.
They admit that they took her into the sta.
tiun-huuso dungeon and tried 90 brighten
her into confessing what disposition had
been made Of the lotus removed from tho
murdered girl. They deny that they used
thumb scfcws or other pain. inilicting appli'
nncc.. In orlcr tu brighten her thoroughly
they asked each other questions about tic.
titious man who had died Of smallpox In the
dungeon the day before They also admit
having threatened her with the divful con-
sequences that might result from her refusal
Ia confess but they persist that they did
her mo- yiulonc, and used mo- implements Of
torture. Between the statement ut woman
uf l,hudn Turner's known prucliyity to men.
dupity aud the word 81 such officers as Capt
O.llaycr aud Scrgt llcdriCk, TuE ArrEAL
cannot hesitate Tor "a moment, aud must CX.
press its belief iu their version OF what &C.
CURED and not hers.
These officers are perhaps ccnsurnblo Tor
not taking lthodn to the ladies' pariur 90 the
Peabody hotel, and, after plying her with
| torraVin aud duck and Hpcr.iicidsick, aud
getting her Iva "a communicative mood beg
ring her. ~ u personal favor, 10 make a
statement without duplicating herself They
might have done ~, perhaps but for tho
| knowledge that the city treasury Is not in q
! condition Ia stand such extravaganza. Here
after perhaps, they will have the dungeon
! lighted with electricity. and prisoners enter
tanned with choice selections from the "pi-
rates 81 rcnnncc,' by Arnold's baud, but NJ
present such extravaganza h not justihcdby
the condition of the city's finances, and
Rhulu will have iu content herself with tho
accommodations II the county Jail. 10 which
she was yesterday returned
TIu UU,Sp jury At work.
Tho Grand jury hc'an the investigation 81
the IIslcu ease yesterday. and examined
several witnesses. No new points wvrc dc.
N'lup,d. Attorney General Peters " thor
uurhly Interested iu the onsc aud u deter
/ mIupd that the majesty uf the law shall bo
NIudIrAtyi aud such punishment melted out
tr the criminals ny viii deter Others from
| similar crimes iu the future. 10 this end
De- b. doyuiiug himself with al the skill and
Ingenuity nt biz command, and the public
may ret assured that ~ mr ny hr n con.
rururi. there will hu 49, sins II omission ~
nrilithtD the escape 1T the guilty lie feels
that g. permit the real Culpr.is BOO This ease Ia
20 uuwhippyl ~ Justice would hT 70 stigma
upon the name 1T Memphis and would
make her q subject ~ contempt aud lie.
rIsiuu Doe thr eyes ~ the world. and, with
That feeling strong upon him. hu will not
permit irrelevant ISSUES tu persuade him 10
lNit, Iv uur bot thu measure ui DIS deter.
m.utfIHu tu secure thu conviction ui tho
guilty parties.
pmvvrr's CONTRIBUTION.
Tn thr IiIirf fINr Appeal
Please hud iurlU,ll my check i1r 400 to ba
uaiI Iu thu prosecution ~ thu iusfiHIfun Il
tIIr ruin and muulrr of Mis- Willie Ti.lcll.
n should Lp thr heartfelt duty uf every
southern man tu .,y ca it chat lusi.yyaHtruc,
sruu.uy iusi'JrHIs melted out boz this case.
Iur undecided Wumluly confidence that
,uuUluF trusting uWinhlr spirit in woman
We admire and uIYru should now have our
.YHfr.UlY tfflUfIUu and UrUtfytiOu and I ak
tIIs country 10 contribute something.
Yours truly, IuuV n Woup.
Memphis, Tenn, September 10. ISIS.