The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-23
THE SAPP-PALMER ROW.
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE POLICE
COURT YESTERDAY.
Sapp Fined and Bound over to the State
Results of an Appeal Reporters
Investigations The Girls. Preoarious
Condition.

lnVebuBhtlOis-A ho ohi .. fESSoiiSoo
Condition.
w. ]. Sapp, the young Texas med
ical student who shot and severely
wounded Mary Palmer, the fiiteen-year-
old colored girl, Monday afternoon, has
been tried before the Police Court, Judge
MADDEN presiding, and is at liberty.
He was fined $50 for the city, and bound
over to the State in the sum OF $500,
which bond he succeeded in giving late
yesterday afternoon.
Here is the account OF the shooting, as
gathered from the testimony Of medical
students and Others before the court, and
published in the Scimitdr:
"The evidence OF number OF witnesses
in Sapp's case was substantially the same
about the manner Of the beginning OF his
quarrel with Ed Palmer. Sapp was in
Cohen's grocery eating sausage and bread
at a counter when the negro entered and
brushed against him. Look out here, he
insult 10 injury. He clapped his hands on
iarity moved toward the food. If you
don't get away from here I'll cut your
throat, said Sapp. The negro left and
going on the street picked up two bricks.
He was prevented from striking the stu
dent by the grocer. sapp remained few
minutes in the store, and went back TO
the college, from which he returned in a
short time armed with pistol. Palmer
hn N nttsht
was standing in q crowd OF negroes. Sapp
and Student Barfeld, who returned with
him, approached the crowd. Hardly had
they got within easy range when Palmer
threw heavy iron weight at Sapp. The
missile struck the student on the head and
ielled him insensble. As he lay on the
ground a negro woman in the crowd struck
him again with brick. On rcgaining
consciousness Sapp saw his assailant stand.
ing across the street, and drawing pistol
fired ut him. The negroes scattered and
the wounded man pursued Palmer, firing
twice as he ran. Both shots struck the
negro's sister, who was directly in front Of
him."
The Ledger account is rs follows
''Sapp was standing at the counter eat.
ing. when Sim Palmer, a VIGOROUSLY bad
negro, came in the saloon and staggered
against him, Slapping him nj the same
time on the back with his hand. This
was the testimony of all the witnesses who
testified except Palmer himself, who ac-
cording TO his version, was positively
lamb-like in his department, absolutely
doing nothing but running when Sapp be-
gan 10 make warlike demonstrations. But
the testimony OF the white witnesses, who
are doubtless truthful and reputable gen
tlemon, was 10 the effect that the negro
Palmer was very ugly and offensive, and
that when he pushed Sapp aud slapped
him on the back that gcnllmen said TO
him, YOU black s. OF n b., II you do
that again | will cut your id throat.
At this juncture Mr.. Cohen interiercd and
made the negro leave the house, closing
the front door behind him as he went out
Sapp and his friend remained in the sa-
loon eating. In little while a number Of
negroes gathered about the place. and
Palmer presented himself at the back
door with n brick in each hand. Mr..
Cohen forced him again 10 leave, and in
little while Sapp and his friend went
out nj the front door and returned 10 the
college, which was near by. They re-
turned In little while with several other
students and entered the saloon again,
where they took another drink. In the
meantime the negroes on the outside were
very mcnacing. Presently Sapp aud his
friends stepped out OF the front door,
when Palmer renewed the quarrel, and
some one in the crowd Knocked Sapp
down with a brick. lie had no sooner
risen 10 his feet than lac was knocked
down n second time by brick thrown by
/ Mary Palmer herself Mr.. Sapp testified
that the blow stunned him, and that when
lac recovered sufficiently "a scramble To-
| his feet again lac found himself alone and
surrounded 10y negroes, whcrcupOn lac
/ drew his pistol and opened fire on Palmer,
Who took 10 his heels. Two out Of the
three shots fired found lodgnent In the
/ body OF Mary Palmer. who was taking an
active part IN the iight-Ono In the hip
and the other In the stomach"
In the discharge OF its duty 10 the pub
| lie and 10 itself, TuE ArrEAL knows
neither rich nor poor. black nor white,
/ great nor small. IL deals with all alike.
| giving facts ~ they exist, therefore Il feels
impcllcd 20 give another and absolutely
correct chapter in this shooting, learned
through personal inquiry and investigation
OF the premises made by u reporter last
evening.
IL Is true. ~ stated by all the papers,
that Sapp and Barfirld were In Cohen's
store, thc iormcf eating bread mud bologna
sausage. Mr.. Cohen was unable 10 say
whether Sapp was drunk or motor,
rather, he would not ay. According Ia
the Same gentleman, Palmer came into
the store 10 inquire about some figure.
about which ho and some negroes had
/ gotten into an argument at neighborna
barbcrshop. All plrties were IN lhc back
room Of the storc, Slpp's lunch being
spread out on the counter Palmer. ia
leaning on the counter, inadvertently al.
/ lowed hs coat Sleeve Ia touch the sau,
sngc. Here, yH black negro. keep your.
self OF my Biuii, said sapp, according "a
| Cohen. 81 didn't mean no harm by H.
mister didn't 60 10 DO IT," politely 70.
/ turned Palmer, ~ SAYS Cohen, positively
/ Don't you do Il any more, OF
! I'll hurt YOU added Sapp. There.
upon aud without any further word.
or any demonstration whatever from
| Palmer, Cohen says ho or Tered him
| ifom the house. Sapp was then urgnd by
/ Cohen to go back o. the college. b.cause.
/ rs ho explained, 'thcn guess ID will ali
/ be- over The reader will hnd ID difficult
\ 10 understand what there Was 10 DO OVER.
ON l'almcrs side, Tor Cohen admits that hc
had done nothing whatever, aud said moth.
ing other than polite and Apologize.
Further than that, let II be- borne In mind
that Palmer h rather small OF medium
sized negro, was alone at the time. while
Sapp IL over six feet tall and muscular. aud
We accompanied by BIZ friend Bafdcld.