The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-01
THE SHAKERAG SHOOTING
THOMAS PIERsoN BELIEVED TO BE
FATALLY WOUNDED.
The Straight Story OF the Diabolical
Affair as 1t Came Out Yesterday-1ur-
ford stn Coming the Crazy Dodge
He and johnson in Jail.

Sheriff McLendon returned from Oak
vile, or Shakerag, yesterday afternoon,
bringing with him colored man named
Spencer johnson.
The prisoner was arrested on q warrant
charging him with being accessory to the
shooting OF Tom Pierson and Cal Barrin-
ger, by negro named Yves Burford, Mon
day afternoon.
Intelligence Of the shooting was tele-
phoned from Buntyn Station 10 the Sher-
IFS Office short time after ii occurred,
and was conveyed from headquarters to
the Sheriff, who was on duty at Montgom-
cry Park. He had some difficulty in pro-
curing conveyance, and it was about 9
o'clock when he and posse of five or six
men reached the scene There it was init
mated TO them that Burford had taken ref
uge in his own house, mile or so from
Mr.. Busby's place, where the shooting &C.
Cured; was well armed and desperate, and
the attacking party had better be
wary. The friendly advice was
&C ted upon. Upon hauling up at
the cabin, in the midst OF clearing that left
the house far from cover OF any material
kind, the officers opened up negotiations
for Burford's surrender. Tie put them OIL
with divers excuses for some time, which
finally became monotonous, and the door
was assaulted and broken in with heavy
fence rail, after vain effort to brighten the
~'occupant by threat TO burn the shanty
over his head. AS the door went in Bur-
ford went out through back window, was
rovara1 hv ann thraW nm HE hauHo IN
obedience TO a command and was taken.
The prisoner was brought in TO Jail Mon
day night Sheriff McLendon remained
at the house OF Mr.. Busby Monday night,
and brought johnson in yesterday morn
ing He does not believe the latter guilty
OF any ofIense, however, and would not
have arrested him but for warrant, based
upon sworn statements that he gave Bur.
ford the gun with which 10 do the shooting.
An APPEAL reporter visited the Jail yes
terday afternoon TO talk with the men con-
corning the affair. Burford, who had been
playing the crazy dodge at home for q few
days past and using 1t rs cloak lot thiev-
ish outrages. was at 1t when the reporter
called, and had to be QUOTED by Jailel
Mason. He loudly proclaimed that John
son had shot him in the right arm in hii
cell; he also did the shooting n
Shakerag with pistol, while "old mar
Bob Williams" had the gun. He could
not be induced to tell what he knew. and
the reporter turned his attention TO John
son. lie told the following story
lie and Buriord were tenants on Mr.
Busby's place, as was also Cal. Barringer
Monday he was blowing down near
stream, and, rs was his custom, took hi
gun along TO shoot ducks. While running
his pillow. Buriord came along and took hi
gun away, after throwing him down, anC
added insult TO the injury by taking hi
mule. Mr.. Busby called 10 him to brin
the things back. and was soon reinforce,
in his demands 10y Person and Barringer
The latter two started after Buriord, whel
he turned upon and emplied the content
OF the gun into them. Neither OF the IN
iured men were more than thirty ynrl
away and both shots took effect. Mr.. PieT
son being badly, perhaps fatally. Wounds
IN the breast and stomach. Before th
negro could fire upon Barringer, that gen
tleman turned his back and received III
charge in his back. The gun-a breecl
- loader-was loaded with bird shot. Bal
ringer was carried into Mr.. Busby's housI
and aiterward TO his own, while Mr.. Piel
son proceeded at once 10 his home, only
short distance away.
Barringer was a young man and unma
ricd. Picrson was the head OF an intercs
ing family.