The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-12


the fernando road near the Calvary
Cemetery where man, who proved to be
]. II. Parker, was discovered dead.
The testimony OF witnesses, who are
fellow guards, was to the effect that Mon
day night at about $50 or 1890 o'clock,
and just as the guards were retiring, the
deceased Parker came along the road. He
met negro named Tolle Stewart, who
was connected with the convict camp, and
il is said began 10 abuse him. The negro
left the man and retired TO the stockade.
The negro says Parker was drunk, or acted
MS though he was drunk. The deceased
was on the public road, and between him
and the stockadc lay Cane Creek, small
branch fringed with wood. The friends Of
Stewart, who were examined. testified
that Parker left the public road and came
close 10 the margin OF the creek, the
while cursing the rctreating negro aud
threatening to kill or shoot him. Mr..
Stewart became tired OF the noise and con-
cluded to take the fight OIL tho ncgro's
hands lie came out of the tent, which is
near the creek, on the opposite side from
Stewart had been in town in the evening
but his friends claim he was not drunk.
lie took up the quarrel with Parker.
and after bandying epithets awhile. told
the intruder 10 20 home. Parker seems
10 have taken his advice, but Stewart did
not seem to think he was obeylng with
sufficient alacrity. Stewart ran dewn the
creek TO where plank or slab was laid
across for footpath, and crossed on IL,
ran up through the woods and headed the
retreating Parker oil, just rs lac reached
the public highway. When within about
ten feet OF his man Stewart pulled his
pistol and shot twice, one ball entering
perker's abdomen. Stewart then returned
20 the camp grounds. The wounded man
told Stewart that he had shot him and
now must help him home, Stewart paid
no attention 10 the man. Parker started
on his way home, staggering from the
shock Of tho shot, and after going about
fifty yards, fell In the road and died moan
ing. He was found dead where he fell.
When Stewart was returning TO camps
he was met ON the way by another guard
named Wcbber, who was the principal wit.
ness in the case. Wcbbcr claims that
Stewart told him that Parker had made a
demonstration rs II 10 shoot, when he,
Stewart. fired. lie stated also that Stewart
claimed TO have fired over deceased head.
A jury was impancllcd, a0d after hear.
ing the testimony rendered a verdict TO tho
effect that Parker had come TO his death
from a pistol fired by John Stewart, on the
public highway, and that the shooting was
unprovoked.
The prisoner came 10 town aud gave
himself up yesterday morning and was
placed in Jail. Upon hearing OF the homi.
eide Judge Dulioso issued q bench war
rant for Stewards arrest, but the prisoner
arrived and surrendered before search was
made for him.
lie was visited at the Jail by an ArrEAL
representative. lie WIS seated in ono OF
the Offices In company With couple OF
iricndA
John Stewart is q son Of Ex.Jusiicc
Stewart. Of this county. lie isapowcriul,
muscular man, and would weigh about POO
pounds Ills face is red and bloaicd, as
though its owner had habitually INDUCED
In intoxicants, and hc was, just ~ the TO
porters entered, In tho act OF gulping down
copious draught from bottle OF whisky
which he held In his hand.
The reporters were introduced by Iailor
Mason. In reply Ia questions. Stewart
said that ho wanted 10 say nothing.
''lou will at lcas, give NJ the story OF
the killing correctly" urged the scribe,
''and Il need not appear ~ coming from
YOU"
81 dot't want TO say anything"
well, what was the mans namo you
killed."
81 don't believe care about saying"
GLOW long have you been employed b,
tho county Mr.. Stewart"
about fifty ycau
The reporter had learned from reliable
authority that hc had been employee,
about six years hy tho county, iirst n
night wa,chman Of the courthouse, from
which position lac graduated into con
Wet guard, and has bccn guarding 70
about three years When be rupliC,
FIFTY years. the reporter looked ut th
othcn present aud departed.
Passing Justice WCllborn's Office, tha
gentleman wm asked TO tell what he knc'
about the killing. "lohn won't talk, hu
] don't sec any harm that can come irol
II, said the squire. 81 will take chanc,
ON u and tell What he told me. Sicwa
j have known for yoanL lie sent ior nj
today and bis story is substantially thi
Just before going 10 bed last nigl
ho heard some ono talking on III
NhlANA NlNf VI AilN NlNfNH NNf INA
hallocd and asked Who Il wa
Stewart answered him abruptly, told hii
20 go 90 HI aud about his business II
said that Parker kept ON curlng dim on
abusing him; that be told Parker TO 20 O
home, aud went over the creek, M
around 10 where he met him In the roa
that Parker raised his hand aud that
click was heard. when Stewart sho; hit
Stewart flHima that A puir AT grisaura 40
iOund ON farkcf's body, and that this
What the deceased must have had la d
hand"
The gcnaml theory Of the case, as gat
crcd from a consensus Of opinions u th
Parker Nas cufsing the negro, aud IA
stewart, Who had been 90 town aud "
likely oXhIlamlcd, ran around throus
tie woods, headed Parker oil and klli
him. The ouly witnesses are fellow co
Wet guards, and the facts nrc not on q
tainablc, owing TO q convict escaping dr
ing the curuncr'a investigation aud a.
taking oil some Of the witnesses. Tho ca
n an ugly one.
Tho dcccascd was aa.d 10 have bocn
worthless, disolulc fellow. lilo was
French extraction and Ind marrlrd
widow named Mn. nuptati. whohad 10
children by her tint husband and one
Parker. her second. Parker used 10 4
drunk and 20 away from home for wrcl
leaving his vito 10 run her little farm
beat she could. Tho family never kn,
whom 20 look for him and newer cxpcct
him until he came Of bis own ncroi
when the body was hauled 10 biz viii
house, about a mile beyond where II "
found, that lady very cOoliy and ptudun
nnftH.1 fhuaa huVilfs tho huflv la .l...