The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-24
OUTRAGED SOCIETY.
A Bloody Tragedy Barely Averted.
An Innocent Young Man Narrowly
Escapes Being Mobbed
For the Vile and Cowardly Crimes
ofSome Vulgar Brute
Who Distributes Letters Casting
Aspersions Upon the Character
OF Some ofthe Best Young Ladies' OF the
Community-Great Excitement
In and About Coffeeville,
Miss. -Other Crimes,
Special Dispatch to The Appeal.


CorrEEvmLE, Miss, Oct 23-what
might have been bloody tragedy at
Elan church, four miles east of here, last
night, was averted by the forethought and
determination Of the law.abiding people OF
that neighborhood. During last January
Mr.. W. l.. Hooper received an anonymous
note through the postofce here, request
ing him TO leave the community at once,
or suffer the penalty Of remaining, which
his unknown correspondent declared, with
many vile oaths, was death. No attention
was paid TO the communication, however,
and il soon dropped from the minds of
Hooper and those to whom he had shown
IL. About two months later, Mr.. Alfred
Tankersley, a young man who resides in
the same locality, found n similar cpislle
tackled TO the front door Of his residence.
The only difference between this and the
first was that moro obscene language was
used and II was better specimen Of low
literature. Walter Schmitz, another
youth, also received similar cilusion from
the unknown writer, but paid no attention
TO it. After this, letters speaking slight
ingly Of the character Of well known
and highly respected ladies OF the com.
munity, began TO be found on all the pub
lie roads Of the ncighborhood. The peo-
pie were greatly inscnscd and strenuous
efforts were made TO discover the author,
but without avail One week ago half a
dozen unsigned letters evidently written
by the same hand, were found at Elan
church and on the public roads lending
thereirom. The contents Of all were the
same, each dcfiling the characters Of sew
eral highly respected young ladies. This was
toomuch, and three gentlemen, Edgar Spen.
Ger, John Davenport and Joseph Hamilton,
related to the ladies IN question, set forth
with the avowod determination Of discoy-
ering the author OF The foul and infamous
documents. From some cause their sus-
picions were turned upon MIR. Tankenley,
and, after seeing a specimen OF his writing
Il IL said that Mr.. Hamilton declared 10 a
friend that II was the same, and that they
intended 10 kill Tankenley that day. The
three gentlemen were seen riding over the
settlement, evidently In search Of the
young man, during the greater portion OF
last Sunday, aud In the evening OF that
day they rode up 10 the church door,
looked In, and not seeing the party
wanted left Immediately, going In the III.
rcction Of 1ankerley's home. The prayer
meeting, which was being held in the
church at the time, was at once broken
up, and the citizens In attendance fastened
after them with tho intention Of defend.
ing the suspected young man, M all werc
clearly convinced Of his entire innocence.
When they reached the house no one was
nj home, aud nothing was seen Of the
parties implicated until evening when
Il Is said Hamilton, again meet.
ing the same friend, told him
they had concluded 10 call Tau.
HERSHEY out that night and mob him, aud
that should he not come out when called,
they intended 10 20 right in and get him.
This threat was soon learned by the entire |
community and ~ II wis positively known
that he was not guilty, heavy guard was
placed nj the young mans home 10 pro-
tcct him that night II IL supposed that
the three gentlemen heard Of the defensive
move and not wishing 10 injurc the dc.
tenders, did not make their appearance.
This morning Mr.. 1ankcmlcy came In and |
sworo out u warrant ior the arrest Of the |
three that they might be placed under |
bonds 10 keep the peace. The Elam |
neighborhood is in perfect turmoil VI OK
element over the affair aud, while not |
many believe Tankcnlcy guilty, stern |
faces show that should the real wretch be- |
discovered, he would be summarily dealt |
with. Much regret is expressed that spcn.
Ger, Davenport, and Hamilton did rot |
seek more convincing proof before taking |
the steps they did, as Il Is said there wis |
evidence that would have quickly con.
WINGED them Of their error. However,
their aro ameliorating circumstances, ~ |
the gentlemen were greatly excited, aud |
what they did WIS with the firm belief |
that they were right The unphnciplcd
author Of the vile letter cannot long 70.
main unknown aud steps are being taken
that must eventually uncarih him.