The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-22
A Number OF Witnesses Relate What
They Know of the Sufferings of Poor
Willie Tlsdell Prior to Her Relief
Thereof by Death.

tuut ~ WIS BOOu LOT neT Inul NHcHcNcG
they got into trouble they came to her.
He had the body buried at once, and it
was disinterred on the following morning.
A post mortem examination was held in
the afternoon. The certificate was signed
by Dr. Nixon, and it alleged that the de-
ceased died OF q coDgestive chill.
Dr. i. A, Williamson, Secretary OF the
Board OF Health, testified as follows: /
know Rhoda Turner, but never met DR..
Nixon until several days ago, when be
called at the health Office TO register. Saw
Rhoda Turner on the 9th of September,
when she called at my office to get me to
sign death certificate. She described
the subject as white woman who had
called at her house in a destitute con-
dition; that she had taken her in, and
that the woman was in the advanced
stages Of pregnancy, but that she died Of
congestye chill. She wanted the body
moved at once. II was swelled so, she
said, that she was afraid it would burst.
She had letters from persons in Mississippi,
and wanted me 10 inform them, II l wrote
10 them, that she had received no money
for taking care OF the girl. Saw the death
certificate alterward, and il was signed by
DIR. Nixon, assigning congestiye chill as
cause OF death. Rhola was positive that
the girl did not die in child birth. Did
not see her any more that day. Did not
assist in the post-mortem examination.
Dr. ii. l.. Williiord was then intro
duced TO tell OF the result OF the post
mortem examination over which he pre-
sided. lie had no doubt that deceased
had given birth 10 a child only q short
time before her death. lie gave such de-
tails OF her condition rs TO warrant the
correctness OF his conclusions.
j. Curry, clerk in DIR. Tuck's drug
store, said that he knew Rhoda Turner;
that she called at the drug store one day
in August, a short time before the death
OF deceased, and wanted to see the pro-
prietor, and wanted something, she said,
that she knew lac wouldn't sell her. lie
passed by Rhoda's house on Sunday
night before the death OF Willie 1isdell
on Monday following. and heard the cries
OF pain and suffering from woman on
the inside. llo was accompanied by n
friend, and stopped. Before reaching the
house he noticed n man leaving there,
but did not recognize him, nor could he
distinguish his color. The witness here
described the relative position OF Rhoda
Turner's house TO DIR. Nixon's drug store,
which was only about block away.
There il a sign over Rhoda Turner's door,
reading Mrs. Turner, midwife" Did
not see the body Of the woman after
death.
Sergt. W. o. Hedrick, OF the city police
force, testified that he went TO Rhoda Tur-
ncr's ON the 9th OF November TO inquire
| into the circumstances Of the reported
/ death OF young white woman. The body
had been buried and he didn't see II. The
witness described the house, giving the
number Of rooms, etc. Rhoda Turner was
there in bed when he reached the house.
She said that the girl had died there and
her body had been buried. Made an ex.
animation OF the bed in the room where
Rhoda said she died and found blood on
the bcdclo,hing. lie arrested Rhoda Tur-
ner that morning. Found clothing OF the
girl and several letters and kilograms.
among them an envelope addressed to II.
4. Jordan, Water Valley. At the time OF
the arrest, Rhoda Turner said she knew
nothing Of the girl except that she came
To her house In a delicate condition, and
that she took her in through charity.
She first said that she didn't know the
cause Of the girls death, but aiterward
said she died OF childbirth, but that
she was not present at the death. She
said that the girl had been taking medi-
cine, and directed him where 30 find H.
lie looked aud found a bottle of medi-
elmo and box Of capsules. lie saw
Nixon that night about o'clock at his
| drug store, when no went there with n
warrant 10 arrest him. On the way 90 the
stalion.housc he said that he supposed he
had been arrested for making a foolish
statement 10 newspaper man. lie al.
mittcd that he had been 10 Rhoda Turner's
house three times 10 see Willie 1isdcll,
but had made no examination OF her aud
/ didn't know what the cause Of her death
WAS The general reputation Of the house
was bad Il was known ~ an assignaton
house, and Rhoda Turner rs procuwss.
There were two or three negro boys liy-
ing In the house with Rhoda, one Of whom
was said 10 be- her grandson.
Dr. Thornton was examined, and related
/ the circumstances aud facts OF the autopsy.
lie could not say whether the birth Of the
child was produced by artificial moaus OF
/ not
Nose Weston, colorcd, the driver Of the
undertakes wagon, testified that he took
tho body Of Willie Tslcll from Rhoda
I Turner'S house aud buried Il In the pot.
tors field. lie did not remember seeing
khoda Turner In the house NJ the time.
lilo disinlouod the body ON the following
day. when the autopsy was orlord.
Bertha Buchanan testified that she lived
/ la the rear and 10 the east Of go Adams
street, Rhoda Turner'S, where she had
/ lived for the past two years She knew
Willie Tsdcll. Met hcrat Rhoda Turner'S.
Did not notice that she was pregnant; she
always drcss'd In loose Wrappers. saw hoI
IN tho forenoon OF the day she died. Wa
frequently In the house. Thought she wa,
D confined 10 her bed about q week before
she died She went 20 Water Valley just
before she was taken down, aud upon hol
return went 20 bed, from which she mover
arose. RhOla Turner waited on her dur
Ing her illness. Saw DR.. Nixon there q
yifit Willie several times. Went for DR.
Nixon once hcrscll on sunday lie came
io Rhoda's house shortly after she went
lot him. Saw him there the morning VII
lie died. lie only remained q Tow minutes
llud seen him there often bciono, but never
before Willie came 10 the house. Heard
Willie gr0aning that morning about
O'Clock. Rhoda told her that Willie died
about . O'Clock. Did not know anything
Of her delivery Of child, but saw blood
IN the bed when hcraitoniion was directed
Ia Il 10y ScrgL llcducg. Rhoda told hoI
that morning that Willie died with con-
gcsii,e chill. Willie told her that she came
from Water Valley. and that she was nine
teen ycars old. She was tall, stout giH
with blue eyes aud light hair. There wa
q sign on Rhodas house reading Mrs
Turner. Female Doctor"
Upon cfoss examination the witness
] -. f.N 81 I. that ala had