The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-06
MAYOR DOUGLASS KILLED
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF covINa
TON FoULLY AssAssINA TED.
Shot From Behind Partially Open Door
by Henry Donaldson, a Negro Accuse
of An Outrageous Assault Upon a
White Woman.

Mayor W. I. Douglass, of Coyington.
Tenn, was the victim, Saturday night. of
assassination most ruthless and atrocious.
The perpetrator was negro, Henry
Donaldson, accused OF heinous outrage
upon white woman.
Intelligence OF the affair was brought to
Memphis yesterday by two gentlemen,
residents OF Covington, who differed mate.
rally in one essential detail, that of n
white woman who figured in il as the
foundation cause. These gentlemen were
Messrs King and John Campbell, both
reliable, but one or the other is mistaken
in receiving his information. They were
both seen by an APPEAL reporter Mr..
King first, and his statement is as follows:
On saturday the report reached Coving-
ton that Donaldson had ravished Mrs
Peterson, by whom he was employed. The
lady was Swede, whose husband died not
long since, living on her farm near Ralto,
In Hatchie River bottom some three or
four miles from Covington. An inquiry
was instituted, but when the parties asked
Mrs. Peterson as to its truthiulness, she
replied in way that convinced the party
that 1t was well established, and that all
was not right, anyhow. Upon returning
to Covington warrant of arrest wassw
out against Donaldson. Mayor Douglass
with posse of five men, went TO serve it,
Arriving at the house OF Mrs. Peterson,
where Donaldson was, the Mavor
knocked on the door, was hailed
by the negro himself, who was promptly
told that he was wanted by an officer
with a warrant. Instead OF surrondering,
Donaldson secured n pistol, thrust the
muzzle through the partially opened door
and fired. The ball struck Douglass in
the lower right side Of the stomach, max.
ing wound from which lac died in a few
minutes. The tragedy and seeming ad.
vantage OF the negro Disconnected the
Mayors posse, who took fright and fled,
leaving the negro to escape. They soon
returned, however, took charge OF the
dead officers body and conveyed il home,
where wife and one little child were
waiting TO receive it. but in absolute
ignorance OF the situation. Searching
parties were organized, who were ransack.
ing the entire surrounding territory and
thoroughly determined II the fellow Is
caught TO deal with him regardless OF the
cold law
A pathetic incident OF the affair was re-
lated by Mr. King. in closing his state.
ment The child Of Mr.. Douglass, too
small TO realize the import OF what had
happened, slept in llSsful innocence all
night, and went 20 the cot where her
father was laid out yesterday morning to
awake him.
Mr.. Campbell gave the name Of Mrs.
Carlson as the ono who was Oulrageously
assaulted by Donaldson. Mr.. Campbell
also said that the woman was before the
grand jury TO testify as 10 the assault, but
stated that the negro had been employed
since her husbands death to sell her cot.
ton, and il was noboly's business. any
how. lie said, also, that there was n
posse ten or twelve strong accompanying
Douglass, among whom he remembered
only Tom Upton. The posse claimed 10
have had the house surrounded when
Donaldson was commanded 10 come out
and surrender, and how the negro escaped
he was unable 10 understand. Mr.. Camp
bell said the shooting was done with a
gun, that one OF the posse fired three shos
at the negro ~ he fled, aud was under the
impression that one Of the charges had
struck him In the side.
Mayor Douglass was a man only twenty
six or twenty .seyed years Of age, elected
TO the office few months ago by an over.
whelming majority. lie had risen 10 nm.
usual popularity as an officer aud citizen
10y a long term Of faithful service rs city
maghal. lie was cousin Of Mr.. sgd
Douglass, OF this city, and also nearly re-.
lated TO Mr.. +. w. Cooke, Of the .SciRifdr,
both Of whom went TO CoyinglOn yesior-
DAY.
Mr.. Douglas was the one who, about four
years ago, killed Mr.. Avery Slaughter in
misunderstanding over gamo Of billiards
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