The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-22
CRANKY TOR FIVE YEARS.

found the prisoners father, Mr.. Lane, but
the jailer would not admit him.
CRANKY FOR FIVE YEARS
Statement OF Turner II. Lane, Father
Of the Murderer.
Mr. Turner Ii. Lane, father OF Lewis
Lane, was seen by an APPEAL reporter
after the tragic affair. He had gone to the
jail to have an interview with the young
man, but being denied admittance, was
taken into the hack with the reporter and
driven back to the city. His story is a
touching one, relating, MS IL does, to an
afiliction that has held his son in merci-
less grasp for several years. In substance,
Mr.. Lane spoke as follows with reference
TO the shooting and the mental disorder
which stands behind it:
STARTED WITH ALBRITToN.
81 first detected symptoms of mental
disorder in Lewis during the excitement
| following the arrest OF the child-burncr,
Albritton, about five years ago. He had
frequently urged me TO resign the Office e.
inspector for the S. p. G. A. arguing that
it was a dangerous position, and
some day / would get my head
shot off by some person with whom
had had trouble in executing
my official authority. One day | was
standing in front OF Wetter's establish
ment, when Albritton came along. He
moved his hand over my head and re-
marked, 'Pll get those curls OF yours
yot" and passed on. LOWS saw and
heard what transpired, and again urged
me to resign, stating that Al
britton would certainly kill me.
laughed il off, saying that Albritton
was coward, and would not hurt any
one. One night he rushed to my bed,
rubbed his hands across my throat, and
exclaimed: ~ thought Albrition had lust
cut your throat" Ever after that il was
plainly apparent that his mind was seri-
ously impaired. He seemed 10 have an
Irresistible desire for pistols, razors and
other dangerous weapons. Many u night
| was kept awake by his peculiar conduct
and insanely wild language. On one occa-
sion my vito told me, when l returned
home at night, that Lewis
HAD A RAZOR IN MS POCKET.
"He had gone to bed, so, with the
promise that | would get il from him in
tho morning, her feaB were Quoted, and
We went TO sleep. II was the eve OF an
! important case | had in the criminal
court, and next morningI forgot all about
the razor. Suddenly, while In the midst
! OF the trial, the recollection of his being
armed required TO inc. asked for con-
tinuance until the following day, rushed
home with the utmost speed, and took
the razor from him. Two years ngo the
malady had become SO pronounced that |
TOOK OUT PAPERS
10 have him confined in the insane ASYLUM
at Nashville. loyen went ~ far rs 10 wrrs.-
to DIR. Calendar on the subject. After the
papers were taken out pOckctod them,
revolving in my mind the question
OF parting with him in that wav. All
day one Sunday wrcs,led with God as
did Jacob OF old, pleading with him
TO restore my son TO mental
soundncss. That evening he appeared
moro evenly balanced, inclining me 10 the
belief that my prayer had been answered
This gratifying condition did not long con-
tnue, but Lewis soon showed symp.
toms Of return Of the weakness.
lie had a mania for playing with fire. a
pastimo have caught him nj more than
once. / rcmcmembcr very distinctly
one occurrence in this line. 1 had
been again informed that he had
pistol IN his pocket, and called in some
police officers 20 secure him. When We
reached the house no was IN the kitchen.
lie had taken of the stove lid and was
poking the Goals. told the officers that I
would prccede thom, 10 that II any one
received injuries nj his hands IL would bo
me. When | reached the door I ex-
claimed, in loud tones, what are YOU
doing there!'
1T STARTLED nm,
he turned toward us. threw IN both hands
IN nstonishmcnt, and thus gave the police
q chance TO seize and disarm him. then
thought OF having him confined in the
county insane asylum. The wagon from
that institution was sent in. The men
camc with II, but in the attempt 20 place
him within II failed completely. lewis
whipped every one OF them, rs no one
could use violence toward him.
Thirty days ago he became 80 danger.
Gus in his manner and language that
actually became afraid Of him myself. Ilo
las recently taken 90 applying the most
obscene and prolane opithcts 10 the Holy
Spirit, Jesus Christ and God, so
much SO that ten days ago seht-
my daughter away 10 escape them.
II has been n positive understanding
In the household 90 keep a strict watch on
him 10 prevent his leaving home with A
weapon Of any kind. Last night he came
home as usual, about supper time. passing
through the room in which ! was sitting
reading. lie didn't say word until /
spoke 10 him. After supper saw him
TUMnLISu IN 4 vAnsE.
and OWNED that he was getting a pistol.
lie also kept his money in the ynlise. and
~ heard the clink Of metal dismissed
the thought with the surmisc that he was
providing himself with cash. Instead OF
going out the front door, however, he left
by the rear door and came around 10
the front When | heard him 1 was
directly In front OF the window
between him and tho light. The fear
seized me that perhaps lac might shoot me
through tho window, 10 | pushed the
lamp 10 the other slice as u sort of security
against danger Of that kind. lie lett,
however and the next heard Of him bo
had shot and killed man at the Peabody
Surely ! am afflicted beyond the measure
Of my deserts"