The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-02
SAVED FROM A SCYTHE.
DETEcTIvE @. D. ARMsTRoNa's RUN
MING FIGHT WITH "sCRAP IRON"
While Searching for a Youthful Female
Diamond Thief the officer Encoun-
ters Her Lover and Is Instantly At
tacked-The Final Shot.


Detective Chas ID. Armstrong had
desperate encounter, and narrow escape
with his life, yesterday evening between
8 and o'clock. II was down in the Ninth
ward on Front, or rather, Water street.
beyond the gas works bridge. The tragedy
for such indeed 1t was, to an exciting
and fatal degree-resulted in the nervy
detective killing his adversary, a negro
man, familiarly known to the denizens
about the mouth of Wolf river as Scrap
iron, but whose real name is Henry Tai
bert. The dead man was 2bout thirty
five years old, and as black as a native
African could well be. The facts which
led to ~ killing are vicious and degrad-
ing in detail, and, as is generally the case,
woman was at the bottom OF 1t.
Some days ago Gus Underwood, who
keeps small dry goods store at the north
west corner OF Main and Exchange streets,
missed, Il diamond pin which he usually
wore in his shirt front. He had as nurse
girl Jennie HAYES, bright mulatto, be-
tween fifteen and sixteen years old, and
about the time OF the disappearance OF
the Jewel the nurse also disappeared
Funderwood reported the fact 10 Detec-
tives Prydc and Armstrong, and as usual
they went to work 10 arrest the girl, but
could not find her. Day before yesterday
they learned from the mother OF the girl,
who was no little distressed about her,
that "Scrap Iron" had taken her in a skili
up the Mississippi river, but just where
she did not know, and was most
anxious TO learn, as she hoped TO
reclaim her daughter from the association
of such a reckless character as "Scnp
Iron" was known TO be. The mother also
stated that her daughter seemed to be
completely under the control OF the man,
and she feared for her life while in his
company, and that she had tried in every
way 10 dissuade her daughter from keep
ing company with him, but that she con.
tinued to meet him candestinely.
Yesterday afternoon Detective Arm
strong learned that "Scap Iron" and the
girl had come back on this side Of the
river, and he went down in that vicinity
with the hope OF arresting her. When he
was Just beyond the bridge he met col
ored woman named Morrison, who said
"Mr. Armstrong, you'd better not try tc
rest Scrap Iron, for he says he's gwint
TO kill YOU wild scythe blade II you do. y
Armstrong replied: 81 don't reckon
he will II see him first, and went sew
eral yards further, when he found himsel
near the grocery store Of Pete and John
two Italians. There he saw "Scrap Iron,
and when in few feet OF him, with mo
ton OF the hand, he said:
''Come here, Scrap Iron, i want TO ash
you something"
To this the negro grufiiy replied: "Yol
white OF b., I'll give you this" AM
rushed at the officer with a sythe blad
fully three feet long, and rs sharp at poin
and blade as the name suggests Arm
strong jumped backward, at the same tim
attempting TO draw his revolver, but
hung in his pocket, and in the instan
he commenced TO rapidly retreat
still trying TO get the revolver IN
hitched from his pocket, and cloeel
pursued by the black fiend with the mul
derous weapon. lie ran straight towar
the bridge. In the course Of a few yard
he disencumbered the pistol and, ha
turning, fired, but without effect. Th
negro was closing last upon him, and stril
ing at him with death-dealing force
Armstrong, still running, threw the pistf
over his shoulder and fired again. Til
shot apparently did not take effect, for q
he half turned the sweeping blade almo'
grazcd his arm. Another shot, and the
another, but all Intellectual. So rapid la
been the speed that more than 100 yarc
had been passed over by the comba
ants. There was but one ball remainir
In the pistol cylinder; II that failed, the
the brave officer was 10 be moved dow
by this Infatuated savage. II was 4 II
preme moments courageous thought b
tween quickly taken footsteps-to face u
enemy and iirp the last shot, and the
take the consequences II II proved tru
then his life was saved and that OF
wOuld-be murdercr's lost
No sooner thought than done,
The held was In moment won
The shot WIS true one, and struck
fatal spot. "Scrap Iron" fell on u
l1idgc dead man. SO quick and sudd,
eas Il done that loaded dray driving
uassed over the dead mans legs bcio
he frightened driver could check b
Dam.
Armstrong, always cool and collecie
calmly walked 10 the nearest telephol
station, communicated the fact 10 poll
Headquarters, and asked that the coron
be sent 90 hold the inquest.
The neighborhood Is populated almt
entirely by negroes, and In the course o
few minutes 400 or 500 had rushed TO I
scene. II was on the center Of the bird
that the dead man had fallen, and Ar
strong with his empty revolver In har
after he returned from the tclephoi
walked among the crowd and ordered u
the corpse be not removed until 80 order
by the coroner. lie was entirely I
befricnded, but be- Il said 10 the credit
the negroes, they offered him no yiolen
On the other hand six or seven Of them "
had witnessed the whole affair, willinI
testified that the officer had acted In :
defense throughout.
Justice Harry was notified, and a. acti
coroner, repaired 10 the scene and imp
cled a Jury, composed Of the follow
men: ". :. Lawless, Charles q. Wagn
Joseph Ashmer, y. y. Maingault, W.
Matthews and T.. III. Smith. All OF
witnesses examined are colored, and nj
conclusion Of their testimony, which
In keeping with the above facts. the Il
returned verdict that the deceased
come 10 his death by two pistol shots, Il
by Charles u. Armstrong In scli.dcicns
on examination Of the Negroes bod,
was found that two shots had taken cti'
one In the right breast, about midway
nipple, and the other IN the lower LETT y
The negro friends OF the deceased =
charge Of the remains and will have N
Inferred today.
Defective Armstrong having been
quilted by the coroners Jury started
once for his house In Chelsea, 10 be
Gnt 10 break the news 10 his vile, VII
now and has been critically III for sc