The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-25


faithfully for those dependent upon him.
SINGULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
One thing that impressed the reporter
much was the absence of anything like a
tangible clew to the villains responsible for
the untimely death OF pure and innocent
little miss. Inquiry at the street car stable,
just across the street, revealed tho fact that
none of those about there Lad heard the
shot with sufficient distinctness TO give it
any attention. Some of them did not hear
il at all. Those who did supposed at the
moment thatit was but the small boy get
ting himself in shape for today's liberties
with the firecracker, torpedo and
other Christmas pastimes. All of
them were soon brought to a realization
of what had occurred by the heart rend-
ing screams Of the stricken family. The
grocer next door was Intercepted for in
formation, and cheerfully responded with
all he knew. When asked for his name,
however, he smilingly declined, giving as
reason that he abhorred newspaper
notoriety. No one, 80 far as could DO as
certained, had any reason to suspect any
one. They had seen no straggers about,
either before or after the tragedy. Now
here is mystery, the like OF which is
hardly paralleled in the history Of crime
in Memphis.
WHAT WAS THE MOTIVE?
What was the motive for this diabolcal
act2
This is the leading question, and one
upon which hangs horrible suspicion.
Mr. Seagroves, between the sobs which
shook his manly form like reed before
strong wind, emphatically asserted that If
there existed an enemy against him in
this community, he did not dream OF it,
Further than that he would not believe il
could have been the ruthless revenge of
an enemy, no matter how bitter the hatred
might be. He was poor, too; therefore
robbery could not have prompted the as
sassnaton, even were there other circum-
stances to warrant that suspicion. lie had
seen no one around, save those whose faces
and appearance had become familiar by
frequent passings.
What, then, is at the bottom Of III
wHITEcHAPEL IN MEMPHIS.
The intelligent readers OF TIE APPEAL
will no doubt be ready TO join II in the
statement that there is strong warrant for
the belief that "Whitechapel Jack, the
Ripper" has been transferred from Lon
don TO Memphis. This term is only APP
piled to illustrate the iiends manner OF
persistently following his incinaIions TO
destroy. lie does not adopt the
method OF that character TO dis
pose OF victims, but the ones he has chosen
are thus tar equally mysterious and puz-
zing. Here il may be well to inquire, in
the most painful seriousness, are not the
authorities too easily puzzled in these
crimes?l Last Saturday morning THE Ar
PgAL chroniccd the assassin-like attempt
upon the lie OF Judge Pitkin C.. Wright.
There was no motive for il. lie has been
in the.city but short time, and has made
no enemies. On the contrary, his general
manner and address is calculated TO draw
unto him as friends all whom he may
meet. Judge Wright occupied room on
the third floor OF the Fransioli House.
corner Of Second and Union streets.
There was 20 his room window in the
rear, but To reach Il for any purpose was
difficult undertaking, one that IL was
never dreamed any one would attempt for
any purpose. Adjoining the hotel. with
a narrow alley between, was a liv-
cry stable, the west wall Of
which extended above the roof some
three or four feet. Between o and 10
o'clock on Sunday night, December 10,
while the Judge lay sleeping, his face
plainly visible undor rays Of light enter.
ing hs room from hall lamp through the
transom over his door at that altitude, and
ordinarily 80 secure from invasion Of any
kind, the Judges slumbcr was never dis
turbed by gloomy fears Of attack. Did
this iancicd security serve him. Not
much. On the night in question bullet
entered through, that rear window, pierced
the hcadboard Of his bed. not moro than
two inches from his head, and hurried
itself in the wall a little beyond. II was
not until the following day. at noon, that
the awful fact stared Judge Wright In the
face. lie had been made target for some
fiond incanatc or bloodihiriy maniac
who had climbed to the stable roof, thence
to the top Of the storm wall.
ANOTHER Arrnrr.
The lmpcnclrablc mystery surrounding
the attempt on Judge wrights lie had q
gloomy effect upon the minds Of TuE-Ar-
rEAL staff. They knew Judge Wright aud
could not for a moment believe Il the work
Of an enemy, because they did not believe
hc had any, at least In this part Of the
country. Hardly had the ink become
cold on the papers containing an account
OF the decd, when Mr.. ]. Il. TaRuc, living
at 233 Elliott avenue, called a, TuE Ar.
rrAL Office 10 strengthen the suspicion.
Early in the morning his residence had
been llrci into through the window, the
bullet missing his head and that oi his
wife by barely ono foot. lie instantly
rushed 10 his door. but before reaching
Il two other harmless shots followed In
quick succession. H.. ~. party or parties
had fled. Mr.. Taguc sccurcdnot n glimpse
Of them. But others In the ncighborhood
who had risen early aud heard the shots,
caught passing glimpse Of two men, be.
licycd TO bo white, driving rapidly out
Mississippi avenue in dog cart drawn hy