The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-08
VERY LOOSE MANAGEMENT
A FAMOUS PRISONER QUIETLY
TAKES LEAVE OF PRISON LIFE.
R. Halliday Witherspoon Wearies Of
work-house Service and Skips While
Pumping Water-The Grand Jury
VIII Take Hand.

Yesterday morning Judge DuBose, of
the criminal court, received avery pathetic
letter from the lovely young wife OF r.
Halliday Witherspoon, the yoong man
recently committed to the work-house for
twenty-three months for forgery. The
letter was a piteousappeal from the doting
young wife, that judicial clemency be ex.
tended her erring husband. II will be re-
membered that young Witherspoon was
the advertising solicitor for an evening pa
per, and that as such, he had forged the
name, not only Of one of the propriotoH,
but of several Other persons, TO checks of
small amounts, few of them amounting TO
more than $40. On these charges he was
arrested, and but for the timely influence
OF most highly respectable connections, he
would have been sent TO the penitentiary
for long term OF years in each case. The
court leniently listened TO the appeals in
his behalf, and gave him the minimum
sentence in each case, being eleven
months and twenty-nine days on each
charge, TO be served in the county
work-house. This was not the
first time, however, that Witherspoon had
been in trouble OF like nature, but
through the leuiency OF the persons he
had bascly swindled he was permitted TO
leave town on the condition that he would
not return. lie went 5ay, but came
back few months afterward, and instead
OF making an honest endeavor TO redeem
himself and make good the damning blot
he had placed upon his family and kim
dred, he steadily went from bad TO worse,
abusing the kindness OF his new and trust
ing employer, squandering his money at
faro and draw poker, until he became in
volved to a depth that could only be filled
by downright dishonesty and iniamy. To
the work-house he was sent.
The letter from his wife pleading for his
release was shown 10y Judge DuBose TO a
knsman OF Witherspoon's, who laughingly
remarked that "the letter was little late,
Us Witherspoon escaped from the work
house on Tuesday last" This was news
TO the Judge, and he at once began an in
vcstigation. Fortunately, at this moment
Superintendent Mason entered tho court
room. lie was subjected TO close
examination as TO the circumstances
OF Witherspoon's escape, and while
up 10 that good hour the superinten-
dent had kept the escape q profound
secret from the public, he had evidently
anticipated being called TO account for u
remissncss Of duty. In answer TO the
main question propounded he drew from
his pocket the following card OF explana-
ton:
COUNTY WORK .HousE, May 4, 1884
We, the undersigned, testify TO the fol-
lowing facts in reference 20 the escape
Of X. Halliday Withenpoon on the 81 in
slant. lie escaped from the yard while
pumping water
]. w. NEWELL, Steward.
T. j. CoLE, Farmer,
This was the only explanation the super
| intendent had 20 oiIer. The court took no
further action, but instructed the attorney
general to lay the whole matter before the
| grand Jury. In the meantime measures
will be taken for Witherspoon's p-arrcst.
From the letter 20 his wife il was learned
that he was at some point in Mississippi,
and wanted money 10 get TO Mexico on.
Superintendent Mason insisted that on the
night Of WilheBpoon's escape he started
two men TO the city to notify the police OF
the fact. The police department deny
that the messengers ever informed them
Of the escape, and that they never heard OF
/ IL until yesterday.
That the work-house is being loosely
managed there can be no doubt, and
whether Supt. Mason is directly response
bic or not lac is 10 be held so in the eyes OF
the law. lie was elected TO tho Office In
January, 1883. Since that time the follow
ing persons have escaped, rs appears from
his last report TO the county court George
Cox, January 20; Oliver Lewis, January
Il; Charles Garrett, January II; John
Smith, February 20; I'D billiard, February
/; John Mahan, March 2; Frank MELON
aid, March Is; Erwin Clark, March 10;
Harry Barker, March 10; Thomas Sayles,
March 3; II. Wiley, March II: II Is also
authoritatiyey stated'that no less than five
or six prisoners have escaped since the re-
port was made out.
The investigation Of The grand jury as "a
the conduct Of affairs by Supt Mason Is
most likely 10 prove interesting reading.
SEE In ellis Of Life how Mnn.a.in cured
10 a a. nwl. 81