The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-05
A WILD GOOSE CHASE.
RIDICULOUS CALL FOR ASSISTANCE
FROM FORT PICKERING.
A Loud Mouthed Negroes Antics Sends
an Alarming Message to the Police
Station and Sheriff's ofce-Who
Responded and How They Did 1t.

There was an exciting chase to Fort
Pickering about 2 o'clock yesterday after
noon.
1t grew out OF nothing, resulted in moth
ing but the arrest OF one negro and the
flowing of buckets of perspiration, and
was, therefore, strictly speaking, nothing
affair.
Between and o'clock a lot Of white
and colored boys were playing in vacant
yard on Gholson street, near the Union
stock yards. In the course Of their pranks
two Of them, white and colored boy,
came to angry blows. Mr.. Charles Whit
ford, who keeps grocery near by, mildly
espoused the cause of the white urchin,
and Jordan Began, father OF the colored
boy, took up for him, but the two men
did not come TO blows. The whole party
driited toward Whitiord's store, and the
proprietor ordered Began away. The lat
ter insisted that he had rs much right on
the sidewalk rs anybody, but left in some
what OF hurry for home and thence TO
the Equitable gas works, where he is EN-.
ployed. In the meantime, some one tele.
phoncd TO the police station TO send a
squad OF officers to the Union stock yards
TO quell
A LARGE-slZED RIOT
Sergt Koran and Detective Arm
strong were detailed, galloped TO the scene,
had Began pointed out to them, and few
minutes later lodged him behind the bars.
But the excitement did not stop here.
II spread along Madison street and reached
the Merchants Zouaves, who thought the
time had come to display the metal of
which they are made. Mr.. A. J. Harris
and a gentleman friend while buggy
riding in that direction on other business
were informed that "the negroes were riot
ing like the devil at the stock yards. !"
Mr.. Harris being familiar with the patrit-
ism and bravery of the trustees office at
taches telephoned 10 that office what he
had heard, and invited them TO come on
in a hurry and spill blood. Messrs.
Mitchell, Hancock and Pullen, OF the
trustees office, James Chandler, a citizen,
and Deputy Sheriff Mike Madden grabbed
shotguns, loaded their after pockets with
shells, and
DouBLE-QUlCKED TO THE SCENE.
An ArrEAL reporter, unaware Of any
thing further than that riot was in
progress, appeared on the scene a few min
utes later, and after various inquiries
learned the sad story. "A negro man
struck a white child, abused white people
in general, and two policemen arrested
him" The riot was bloodlcss. Return
ing to the city, and three blocks from the
stockyards, the reporter was hailed from
the door Of n grocery on the opposite side
OF the street. II was Mr.. Chandler, who
was calmly disposing OF a sausage sand
wich. The reporter went over and found
the other gentlemen named. Deputy Mad
den sitting on barrel with q gun acroS,
his lap, Mr.. Pullen toying with similar
instrument and making sure il was ready
for action, while the others, who had
stacked arms on pile Of boxes, were
EATING SANDWICHES, DRINKING roP,
and ncrvously glancing toward the sup
posed seat Of war.
"Been up there2" inquired Mr.. Fuller
Of the reporter.
''Oh, yes. ."
whats the trouble2"
Nothing at all.
81 knew that when we started" sal,
| lNfHulN NlNhlills lllN ~ INA Allf INlN "
| town for the negroes 10 start up anything
OF that kind. II il had been in Chelsei
there might have been something in IT,"
"Why didn't you tell us that before,
asked the posse in unison, as they locke,
reproachiully at the officer. But lac onl,
smiled with satisfaction.
Then began intercessions, one with thu
other, 10 carry the firearms back 10 town
| II was unanimously voted that, ~ Dcput,
Madden knew IL would amount 10 nothing
and led them on the iruitless charge, !
deyolyed upon him 20 take care Of th,
guns. lie declined. Then Mr.. Mitchell
who had the appearance Of a good.na
tured, accommodating gentleman, was mp
pealed 10, but lac had his own and coul'
attend TO but one other. Mr.. Pullen urges
that he
MAD An ENGAGEMENT
with n lady at Jackson Mound parl
touched Mr.. Mitchclls sympathics, an
thus secured relief. Mr.. Chandler wantc
10 accompany Mr.. Pullcn, but failed {
touch, and had 20 leave his gun In th
grocery until after nightiall, when b
would call for II and return by way {
back streets and alleys.
The Merchants zouaycs collected abor
fifteen men, had them ready Ia move, an
telegraphed Chief Davis for instruction.
They received them, and soon aitcrwar
appeared upon the streets ~ usual.
Chief Davis, Of the police, is about CO
rect in the views expressed while rclatiu
the details Of this affair as they rcachc
him. Said he: "The white people mu
be- very careful about things Of this kim
J This il n presidential year, and men mu
not gather their guns and 20 flying throug
the streets ON mere rumOr. We ha'
officers enough TO qucll any ordinary III
turbance. and when IL becomes eStraord
nary is time enough for valiant citizens
; bc summoned. Promiscuous display
firearms IL not healthy from Democrat
standpoint Republican organs know ho
10 use IL. F."