The Memphis Appeal

DASTARDLY ATTEMPT TO WRECK THE INCOMING M. & C. TRAIN.

George Williams, a Worthless Negro, Fired from the Collierville Depot and Thrashed, Walks to Bailey's Station and Obstructs the Track—Thwarted.

A dastardly attempt to wreck the incoming Memphis & Charleston passenger train, due here at 6:10 o'clock, Friday morning, was made at Bailey's Station, twenty miles from this city.

The fiend who attempted so atrocious a crime was George Williams, a worthless negro. He has been in the habit of loafing around the depot at Collierville, insulting whites and stealing everything he could place his hands upon.

The depot officials becoming tired of him ordered him to stay away from the premises. He replied in an insolent manner and he was forcibly ejected, at the same time receiving a sound thrashing as a reminder not to return.

He resolved upon revenge as the only way to soothe his feelings, which were very much hurt by the just treatment he had undergone.

Friday morning he arose before daybreak, walked to Bailey's station, placed a heavy piece of timber across the track and seated himself under a tree near by to witness the crash.

He was not gratified, however, as the engineer discovered the obstruction in time to stop the train.

Seeing that his attempt was unsuccessful, Williams got up and leisurely walked away. The engineer succeeded in getting a description of the fellow, and telegraphed it to the Collierville officials.

Officer Perry, of the Memphis police force, was at Collierville at the time looking out for Florida refugees, and he was also asked to look out for the villain. Yesterday Perry discovered his man and arrested him. He was taken before 'Squire Harrell at that place, and committed to jail to await the action of the grand jury. The officer arrived in the city yesterday and turned his prisoner over to Jailer Alexander.