The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-05
HowLETTs DISGRACE.
Second Chapter in the Grand Junction
Sensation.

Sensation.
There appeared in TuE ArrEAL vester.
day an item having its origin at Grand
junction, and involving tho forced ruin of
Miss Johnnie Middleton byayoung fellow
named Frank Hewlett.
When the editorial force reported at the
office for duty, about o clock pm, the
following telegram awaited them
GRAND JUNCTION, Tenn, Feb. 4, isSo
To The Appeal, Memphis
Will be in Memphis TONIGHT. Wish to
meet you. The piece published in TO.
days paper in reference TO Hewlett is a
base ialsehood. +. l.. PLrpGr.
Mr. Pledge came down, according TO
appointment lie is an honest appearing
gentleman, near seventy years OF age. and
very much in earnest in his efforts ON be.
halt OF young Hewlett, who is his grand.
son, and whom hc really believes the
victim OF a girls desperate iniatuation.
Mr.. Pledge related story which does not
differ very materially from that already
published, aud 1t does not 20 far toward
relieving young Hewlett of the infamous
stigma placed upon him. Tho grand.
father states tlat it all came OF
a ball given at his hotel on
Thursday night, which was attended
10y people from the neighborng towns OF
Middleton, LaGmngc, Hickory Valley
and Others. Miss Middleton had come
with young man other than How.
lett. About o'clock in the morning all
had gone homo except Dr. and MrS Nc.
Kinney and two or three ladies from
Hickory Valley, also man named Ar
buckle. Mr.. Pledge himself WAS up rs
WIS MIR. John Bass, q local mail agent.
Young Hewlett and his aCCuscr Wcrr seen
promenading up aud down the hall lead.
ing from the ballroom 10 the main entrance
20 the hotel states Mr.. Pledge but moth
ing was thoughtoi II, since they had known
each other from childhood. Finally they
disappeared from the building, but Mr.
Pledge says they were merely standing
outside the door, and were there seen by
Mr.. Bass, who hoard them talking. but
does not know what they were talking
about The old gentleman further states
that after they returned hc saw them walk
ing up and down the same hall Tor about
ten minutes aud when the grl started
home she cordially badc young Hewlett
good night. but Mr.. Pledge admits that
the young fellow confessed To having had
criminal intercourse with his accuscr,
eXonemting himself bv accusing the
victim OF inviting H. llOwlctrs gricycd
relative and guardian was also prepared 10
accept the charge that hc had threatened
10 use a knife, but stands upou the fact
that lac did not do ~.
Mr.. Pledge brought with him package
Of letters, gathered from the Young sramp's
trunk, ~ evidence that the YOUNG giH and
her sister, n young lady visiting at Tus-
cumbia, were madly In love with Hewlett,
and ho believes this to be- really at the
bottom Of Miss JOhnnio's innCicl freak.
These letters were submitted 10 the report.
ems. Some Of them bore the postmark "rus.
cumbia, Ala" others were mailed at
Grand Junction 1hoy we're cuuchcd
ia tcndcrly alIcctionatc language, but the
penmnnship was about tho same in all.
SO far ~ the reporter saw-hc did not OK
anime them all they were signed IS 4.
NJ, for Susan 4. Middleton, the Young
lady visiting ut Tuscumbia. According 10
Mr. Pledge, young Hewlett and Miss
Susie we're really very much in love with
each other, and would have married some
time ago but for his advise not 10, because
OF llowlctts poverty aud youth.
Mr. Middleton, q cousin Of the young
lady outraged, who came 10 Memphis ug
an officer, bringing the warrant sworn out
by Miss Johnnie Middleton charging How
lett with rape, was also seen by reporter
before he took the train Tor Grand June.
ton. lie reiterated the story told in
the iBt instance, pfciaclng Il with
the statement that il was only ~ he
learned II from the girl, since ho
WIS not at the ball, but nj home
asleep. llo only desired 10 correct
one or two errors the lr1idHcif inadycrt-
entity fell into The lint wis that young
Hewlett cut the girls clothing In the back
with his knife, the authorship Of which
Mr. Middleton disolaims, but with no
hanhncss for the young gentleman attfib.
uting Il 20 him. The next was ~ 81 Mes
srs -. &. Wells aud Charles jenkins con.
ycying Hewlett across the country to Mos
COW. lie SAYS be- had information that
Hewlett did so ncrog the country t0 Mos
COW. where he boarded q freight
train. but as 90 who aided
In bis escape, lao was unable 10 say. Il
was In answer 10 a question as 10 who