The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-27
Is IT TASCOTT AT LAST?
SENSATIONAL ARREST NEAR JONES'
BoRo, ARK. YESTERDAY.
A Man Who Answers the Description
of the Chicago Murderer to the Mi
nutest Details-An Amateur Detect
i've Bags the Game.

An arrest was made at Culberhousc, Ark,
yesterday which promises to be of sensa-
~sational interest. 1t appears that about two
months ago a young white man of genteel
and evidently not accustomed to
severe manual labor, presented himself at
the residence Of Mr.. Blakemorc, on his plan
tation, near Culberhouse, and asked for
work. Mr.. Blakemore had nothing for the
stranger to do, but suggested that II he was
not too proud for that sort of thing he would
give him a good job at cotton picking and
pay him at the rate OF so cents q 100 pounds
and board. The stranger gave his name as
Frank Buck and, having accepted the terms,
was duly installed in Mr.. Blakemore's house
hold.
Mr.. Blakemore. It appears, has a son
named Arthur, who reads newspapers and
keeps his eyes about him. Something about
the strange young man aroused his suspicious
and his active mind at once began to weave
a plot to unmask the genteel-looking cotton
picker's identity. There was a mystery about
him that suggested crime. Why was a man
Of his appearance and evident good breed
ing and education compelled to resort to
cotton picking for q living? Young Blake
more got him full once with liquor and
tried TO pump him, but the stranger was too
clever for him, and said: III you want TO
ask me any questions, do it when l am
sober"
After tina, Frank Buck, as the stranger
called himself, did not drink any more.
Young Blakemore then wrote to Pinkcrton's
Detective Agency, requesting descriptions
of prominent criminals who were wanted.
Pinkcrton sent u whole batch, which Mr..
Blakemorc studied carefully. Among them
was one which fitted Buck TO a II.
IL was a description Of William
u. Tascott, the murderer Of Amos
j.. Smell, the Chicago millionaire, FOL
whose capture there was something like $50.
0OO reward. The description covered Buck
so maryellously that he himself admitted
its surprising similarity. Satisfied as TO the
arrested him and took him TO Joncsboro,
Ark, three miles distant from Culberhouse,
for the purpose Of having his picture
taken. Among Others who saw him there
were I. ID. Culberhouse and his son. The
former gentleman had n long interview with
the prisoner In the presence Of the cashier OF
the Bank OF Jonesboro. Buck admitted hi.
resemblance TO the descriptions Of Tascott.
but claims that his name was Buck, and tina
ne was n nuilNt OF tennessee. lie uullliltO
hat he was in Chicago when the murder
was committed, but says lac was there buy
ing goods for q store he was then running IN
Missouri. lie claims that he had n mother
in Memphis and could easily establish hii
innocence OF any connection with the Smell
murder. A proposition TO telegraph tC
Missouri and Memphis TO enable him Il
prove his identity as Buck was rejected by
the prisoner. lie said he had been away
from hon since his ninth year aud Away
shifted for himself. lie showed no concerr
about his arrest, but while in the custody
Of his captor's father was permitted
10 shave off his mustache bcfor'
being photographed. Buck is described a,
being about twenty-ninc years OF age, 8 fee
3 inches In hight, light complexion. with
hair thin on top Of head, prominent nose,
upper lip drawn 10 corners, two front teetl
filled from behind with gold 10 as 10 shini
through the transparent shell, scars on botl
elbows, hip and knee-on all of which point
his appearance agrees without the slightes
deviation with the description OF Tascott
as furnished by Pinkerton.
Bucks photograph was forwarded 10 Chi
cago and the prisoner rcmanded 10 the Gus
tody Of Arthur Blakcmorc, who look hin
back TO the plantation near Culbcrhousc.
II Buck Il not Tascott his resemblance q
HAT much sought-for individual Is probably
a case OF double without precedent in Grim
inal history.