The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-04
THEY ARE NOT oRIMINATED.
Justice to the Train oficers In the Mat
ter OF the Whitehurst Killing.

Justice to the Train ofiicers In the Mat
ter OF the whitehurst Killing.
To the Editor OF The Appeal
sir-seeing an article in Memphis pa
per mot The AfPEALl Of May 81, headed
Murdered by Train Hands" which does
great wrong 10 the conductor, Mr.. Ham,
/ think common justice demands that the
public have the facts as they are, which
are as follows; On the night OF the 2lst OF
May Mr.. s. L. Whitehurst got ON freight
train at Tuscumbia, Ala, TO 60 TO Browns
vile, Miss, where he formerly lived
This train passed Iuka about 10 o'clock
that night. Very early on tho morning
OF the ODD about five miles east OF Juka,
the remains OF Whtehurst were found on
the track OF the railroad. His body was
cut in twain about the pit OF the stomach,
and there were no bullet holes in the
breast or anywhere else 80 far rs was ever
discovered, and the upper part OF his body
was entire. The Coroner OF this county
at once summoned jury and viewed the
remains; and, not being able TO determine
how he came to his death, adjourned,
and asked that the crews OF the two freight
trains which had passed the place that
night be summoned before them. In tho
meantime the Memphis 4 Charleston
Railroad Company had sent a man, with
instructions 10 investigate the killing and
bring out the whole truth. This
agent OF the road went 10 tho Sheriff,
Capt. Bcall, and prollered his assistance
In any investigation, and urged that
nothing be left undone in the premises
lie asked the Sheriff TO tell him which
employe OF the railroad he wanted here,
and on being told they were all notified
when they were wanted, and everyone
came without any summons OF tho Coro-
ner, Including Mr.. Ham, the conductor,
who tcslllid before the jury Of inquest,
and seemed very anxious that all the facts
should be shown. lie remained until the
Coroner notified him that he would not be
! needed further. Mr.. llamn then told the
Coroner that il in the further invcs,iga-
| ton he should be needed that he lived in
Tuscumbia aud would come in on the first
train II he would let him know. The
| Coroner committed the two hrakomen on
| the freight train to Jail 10 await the further
action OF the Grand Jury, where they are
now. They both assert their innocence
with every appearance OF sincerity, and
have ut no time made any confession Of
any kind. They neither have made any
statement inculpating Mr.. Ham, and
there was not scinlilla Of the evidence
which tended 10 oTiminate him; and the
finding Of the jury does not mention him
nor refer 10 him in any manner Mr.,
| Ham is regarded ns one OF the best men
In the employ OF the Memphis & Charles
ton Railroad, and no man stands higher ms
n gentleman than he does at his home In
| Tuscnmbia, where lac now Is confined 20
his bed. Many OF our best citizens be-
lievc the two blakeInen are innocent, and
that when the facts are fully shown they
will be freed from allsuspicion Of crime.
JrsriCE.
luka, Miss, June |.
Fam r. Beall, the Sheriff OF Tishomingo
County, sends Tnr APPEAL the following
note:
81 see report in Memphis paper [noi
THE ArPEALl Of the killing Of an unknown
tramp near Iuka by train hands on the
Memphis < Charleston Railroad, which II
far from correct. The killing occurred on
the night OF the 2lst OF May, and suspicion
points TO two negro brakcmcn on train No.
- run west on that night, but In what
manner or with what instrument is moi
known.
The officers Of the train are not sus
pecicd OF having any knowledge Of the
killing. The conductor. Mr.. Ed llamm
has rendered every assistance In his p0wel
to bring the guilty 10 justice, and VAS her
In person ut the trial before the jury OF In
quest aud never left or skipped out as the
arulmcic has IL; ard every official Of III,
Memphis x Charleston Railroad have com
/ Piled with every requirement made OF
/ them by the officers VI the court. lh'
man was identified Ms ono 5. +. White
hurst, Of this county and his family tool
charge OF the rcinains, aud they wcr,
buried at huntsville. Miss"