Map of Memphis, 1870, from Gray's Atlas of America, Phila, PA
Awaiting information to post
Old Mississippi St Pen (known as "The Walls") in Jackson MS where Jake Ackerman was in 1885-90
The Memphis Appeal, March 07, 1888, Image 1 - Illegally getting Jake Ackerman's MS St Pen picture/mug shot so he could destroy it - 1888 trial - odd one
Old Indiana St Pen South in Jeffersonville (Clarksville town nearby actually), IN where Jake Ackerman was in 1877-82
Memphis Daily Appeal, January 05, 1878, Image 4 - JAKE ACKERMAN'S EXPLOITS. A Promising; Young; Criminal who was Born and Reared. In Memphls.
Evansville Courier: Jacob Ackerman, who was sentenced to five years in the penitentiary, on Saturday evening, was one of the most notorious criminals known to the officers of Evansville, Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis and Memphis. Marshal Brennecke, who has been looking out for him for several months, and who at last convicted him, has given us the following history of him: he was born and reared in Memphis, where his father was engaged in the grocery business. While young, Ackerman formed bad habits, and was early known as a thief, and was for a time one of a gang of sharpers who traveled on the lower Mississippi steam boats, fleecing the cotton-pickers who were on their way up the river at the close of the cotton season and then had plenty of money. It became rather hot for him there, and the first that Evansville knew of him was the robbery of a passenger on the Charles Morgan [steamboat] of ninety dollars and a fine gold watch, about two years ago. He left the boat here, and was not heard from for about six months, when he was arrested in a house of ill-fame on Division street. The gold watch, in the meantime, had been recovered in Cairo [IL], where Ackerman had sold it. Ackerman was held for several days on the charge of stealing the gold watch and money, but the person from whom they were stolen would not come down and prosecute him.
HIS FIRST ESCAPE.
Leaving Evansville on the H. S. Turner, he landed at Louisville, with two partners. Two hours later he went into a pawnbroker's to price some jewelry. After looking at it he left, and said he did not wish to buy, but as soon as he was gone the pawnbroker missed a diamond ring valued at seventy-five dollars. Officers were notified, and in about twenty minutes Ackerman was in jail with his partners. They were thoroughly searched, but the ring was gone, and with the assistance of effective lawyers he was acquitted. He came back to Evansville in the fall of 1876, and had been here but a few days when he robbed the cash-drawer of the Allen house saloon, and, hiring a horse and buggy, he went over to New Harmony to attend the fair. Officer George H. Throbe went over and brought him back. Ackerman was tried again and acquitted, with that wonderful fortune for which he is noted. While in the county jail he formed the acquaintance of
THE SHERIFF'S COOK,
and on his release married her, while she was in Henderson, employed as a servant at the Henderson house, and then professed to reform, and commenced work for Mr. Burbank, of Henderson. He concluded to return to Evansville, and with his wife started on the Maggie Smith. On the steamer he met a lady from Nashville, going east. He was accommodating to her, gave her directions, etc., but when he left, and she went to feel for her money, she found that the sharper had picked her pocket. The lady could not remain to prosecute Ackerman, and he again escaped. It was shortly after this that he deserted his wife and ran away with a young girl of this city, and then shook her in Kentucky. He was next heard from in St. Louis, but managed to keep out of custody there. He returned to Evansville, and about October 3d [1877] stole a bolt of cloth from Bunge & Klaus, for which he received the sentence under which he is now in custody. After the robbery he left Evansville and went to Washington City, but about the time of the late Senator Morton's funeral went to Indianapolis, where, with a gang, he seems to have acquired considerable money in plundering visitors from abroad, and was found with a bolt of silk in his trunk. His trial resulted in an acquittal. Immediately after, he was brought to Evansville, and with the rest of history you are familiar." Besides this, it is charged that Ackerman had two wives, or at least two he has claimed as such. One was Ida Blake, a prostitute, whom he married in the south, and who afterward came to this city. This is how he came to linger around Evansville. He always claimed her for his wife, and did up to the time of his arrest, although he is known to have married a girl in Henderson. Ackerman is quite a young fellow. He is very intelligent, accomplished, and plays the piano very finely.
Evansville Courier: Jacob Ackerman, who was sentenced to five years in the penitentiary, on Saturday evening, was one of the most notorious criminals known to the officers of Evansville, Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis and Memphis. Marshal Brennecke, who has been looking out for him for several months, and who at last convicted him, has given us the following history of him: he was born and reared in Memphis, where his father was engaged in the grocery business. While young, Ackerman formed bad habits, and was early known as a thief, and was for a time one of a gang of sharpers who traveled on the lower Mississippi steam boats, fleecing the cotton-pickers who were on their way up the river at the close of the cotton season and then had plenty of money. It became rather hot for him there, and the first that Evansville knew of him was the robbery of a passenger on the Charles Morgan [steamboat] of ninety dollars and a fine gold watch, about two years ago. He left the boat here, and was not heard from for about six months, when he was arrested in a house of ill-fame on Division street. The gold watch, in the meantime, had been recovered in Cairo [IL], where Ackerman had sold it. Ackerman was held for several days on the charge of stealing the gold watch and money, but the person from whom they were stolen would not come down and prosecute him.
HIS FIRST ESCAPE.
Leaving Evansville on the H. S. Turner, he landed at Louisville, with two partners. Two hours later he went into a pawnbroker's to price some jewelry. After looking at it he left, and said he did not wish to buy, but as soon as he was gone the pawnbroker missed a diamond ring valued at seventy-five dollars. Officers were notified, and in about twenty minutes Ackerman was in jail with his partners. They were thoroughly searched, but the ring was gone, and with the assistance of effective lawyers he was acquitted. He came back to Evansville in the fall of 1876, and had been here but a few days when he robbed the cash-drawer of the Allen house saloon, and, hiring a horse and buggy, he went over to New Harmony to attend the fair. Officer George H. Throbe went over and brought him back. Ackerman was tried again and acquitted, with that wonderful fortune for which he is noted. While in the county jail he formed the acquaintance of
THE SHERIFF'S COOK,
and on his release married her, while she was in Henderson, employed as a servant at the Henderson house, and then professed to reform, and commenced work for Mr. Burbank, of Henderson. He concluded to return to Evansville, and with his wife started on the Maggie Smith. On the steamer he met a lady from Nashville, going east. He was accommodating to her, gave her directions, etc., but when he left, and she went to feel for her money, she found that the sharper had picked her pocket. The lady could not remain to prosecute Ackerman, and he again escaped. It was shortly after this that he deserted his wife and ran away with a young girl of this city, and then shook her in Kentucky. He was next heard from in St. Louis, but managed to keep out of custody there. He returned to Evansville, and about October 3d [1877] stole a bolt of cloth from Bunge & Klaus, for which he received the sentence under which he is now in custody. After the robbery he left Evansville and went to Washington City, but about the time of the late Senator Morton's funeral went to Indianapolis, where, with a gang, he seems to have acquired considerable money in plundering visitors from abroad, and was found with a bolt of silk in his trunk. His trial resulted in an acquittal. Immediately after, he was brought to Evansville, and with the rest of history you are familiar." Besides this, it is charged that Ackerman had two wives, or at least two he has claimed as such. One was Ida Blake, a prostitute, whom he married in the south, and who afterward came to this city. This is how he came to linger around Evansville. He always claimed her for his wife, and did up to the time of his arrest, although he is known to have married a girl in Henderson. Ackerman is quite a young fellow. He is very intelligent, accomplished, and plays the piano very finely.
DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF CONVICTS IN THE INDIANA STATE PENITENTIARY NEAR CLARKSVILLE [INDIANA]
Two small sunken scars on left cheek Scar above right eye in edge of hair Scar on upper lip. Scar one inch long on right side of head. Scar on back of head. Female [woman], anchor, two hearts, and two crosses on right arm in red and blue ink. Scar across the middle fingers at Knuckle joints of right hand Letters D.S. [stands for Dumachus or Dysmus, the unrepentant thief on the cross beside Christ] & anchor on left arm in blue ink. Scar on left wrist Scar in center of back low down Large red spot on right shoulder blade Round white scar on each knee cap Wife Sadia Ackerman. Indianapolis, Ind. The Cairo [IL] Bulletin, August 09, 1876, Image 4
A couple of well known individuals, namely Mr. Sol. Farnbaker, clothing merchant at So. 61 Ohio levee, and a young fakir and confidence man named Jake Ackerman, who have been prominently before the public of this city during the last two months on account of a slight difference existing between them, had a final settlement in the way of a big fight on Ohio levee at an early hour yesterday morning. Some two months ago, Ackerman, who has served a term in the penitentiary, came to this city and made the acquaintance of a woman named Ida Blake, an inmate of one of the numerous houses of ill-fame of the city, with whom he became infatuated, and shortly afterwards married. It was well understood at the time that Farnbaker was supporting the woman, at the time of her marriage, and the matter created considerable talk, and many were the speculations as to what Sol. would do about it. But being "up to snuff," Sol. kept up his visits to his friend Ida and whenever Jake left the city for a few days to ply his nefarious trade In adjoining town and villages. Sol. would look after the comfort and welfare of the woman Ida. After awhile Jake become suspicious that there was "sumthin' up," and he returned suddenly one night and found what he looked for--Sol. In the house with Ida. Very naturally, a rumpus followed, and Jake tore around like a mad man, whereupon Sol. put a pistol under Jake's nose, which had the desired effect, and cooled him off considerably. The next morning Jake and Sol met and held a consultation, when it was decided that the best thing, and the only course that would secure peace and happiness to both, was to send Ida to her ma, at Hot Springs [AR]. Accordingly the fair Ida was packed up and sent home; and a few days after, Jake announced his intention to take a trip to the Centennial [in Phila, PA], and in the buzz and bustle of the life of a great city, try and drown his sorrows. He departed from Cairo, some three weeks ago, as his acquaintances thought for Philadelphia. He, however, turned up in Memphis, from which place he went to Hot Springs. About the time Jake arrived at the springs, Ida, who had received word from Sol. to pay him a visit here, started for Little Rock. Jake hearing of her whereabouts also went to Little Rock, where for playing at the famous five card game, he was picked up by the police and given twenty-four hours to "jump the town." He jumped, and next turned up here on Saturday and Sunday. Ida, not knowing that he had gone to Cairo, followed him, and at Charleston [MO] received the intelligence to remain where she was until Monday night, and taking the night train that arrives in this city at two o'clock, came as far as Bird's Point [MO] where she was joined by Sol., who fearing that Jake would be on the lookout for her when the transfer arrived, provided himself with a skiff and rowed to the point. He took her in the boat and came across the river, and in order to escape the sight of any one who might be on the streets, went up the Ohio river to a point opposite Woodward's Novelty iron store, where the two boarded the tow-boat A. J. Baker. Sol. was not wrong in his belief that Jake would be on the alert, for he was at the transfer landing, where he was informed of the movements of Sol. Jake at once started up the levee, and boarded the Baker a few moments after Sol. and Ida had stepped from the skiff, but was unable to interview Sol., as he and his lady had locked themselves up in a stateroom. Jake went ashore and waited, and was finally rewarded for his patience by the sight of Sol. and his wife coming up the levee. He at once accosted Sol., and after bandying words with him for some time, a fight took place, in which Sol. was knocked down and soundly pummeled, while Jake received a gash in the head from a brass key in the hands of Sol. producing a wound from which he was covered with blood from head to foot. They were separated by a couple of gentlemen who happened along, and Sol. departed with Ida, while Jake went to dress his wound and don a clean suit of clothes. Several hours afterwards Sol. and Jake met In a saloon and took a drink, and after talking the whole matter over they agreed to adjust their difference and put an end to their troubles, as the following contract, which we are told by Ackerman, was drawn up by Sol. and signed by him for Ida, will attest: We, the undersigned, agree to absolve any relations in regard to the matrimonial state, now existing between J. H. Ackerman and Ida Ackerman, of the city of Cairo, Illinois. J. H. Ackerman to do as he pleases and Ida Ackerman to do likewise. J. H. Ackerman, Ida Ackerman. For putting his signature to this document, Ackerman tells us, he was given thirty dollars by Sol. There has been no change in the situation of affairs up to this time that we have heard of, though we are told that Ackerman has changed his mind and that he intends demanding of Sol. a further pecuniary advance of two hundred dollars before he will let the matter rest. Give Sol. a "foreign mission"' and let him go. |
Old Parish Prison in New Orleans, LA where Jake Ackerman was in 1871-72
Semi-weekly Louisianian, January 14, 1872, Image 2 - Billy Boyd aka Ackerman in the Parish Prison
New Orleans Republican, June 27, 1871, Page 5, Image 5 - First article on this Crime
New Orleans Republican, Sept 2, 1871, Jew Jake - Forgery on jury verdict - new trial ordered
The Daily Picayune, (New Orleans, LA) Friday, May 02, 1890; pg. 6; Issue 98; col B - Ackerman's crime in 1871 described
Old Shelby County Jail in Memphis, TN where Jake Ackerman was in 1868; 1869
Public Ledger, October 22, 1868, Image 3 - Jack Ackerman told to quit Memphis and never return; he is about 16 or 17 yrs old here
Location to the right (@ "JACO. . .") of the Old Adams Street Police Stationhouse Jail in Memphis, TN where Jake Ackerman was off and on between 1862-73 (the old stationhouse fell down and was razed in 1885 - no photos of it exist - this photo was taken about 1920)
August 24, 1862 - Nathan Bedford Forrest's "negro mart" to become city jail in Memphis
The New Jail.-
Mr. Park [Memphis mayor then], Mr. S. Tighe and Mr. Amis, acting as Jail Committee have secured Col. Forrest's negro mart on Adams street, between Second and Third street for the purposes of a jail at the rate of twenty dollars per month. Mr. Hardwick, of the Hardwick House, has agreed to feed the prisoners for thirty cents a day.
Memphis Union Appeal, August 24, 1862.
August 24, 1862 - Nathan Bedford Forrest's "negro mart" to become city jail in Memphis
The New Jail.-
Mr. Park [Memphis mayor then], Mr. S. Tighe and Mr. Amis, acting as Jail Committee have secured Col. Forrest's negro mart on Adams street, between Second and Third street for the purposes of a jail at the rate of twenty dollars per month. Mr. Hardwick, of the Hardwick House, has agreed to feed the prisoners for thirty cents a day.
Memphis Union Appeal, August 24, 1862.
Memphis Daily Appeal, May 23, 1885, Image 4 - Walls of the Old Adams St Stationhouse fall down and injure two boys
Memphis Daily Appeal, November 10, 1865, Image 3 - Prisoners in the City Jail by Name including one W. Burke who may be Jake Ackerman; A. Driscoll is also in there who is really Daniel Driscoll, a ring leader in The Mackerel Brigade with W. Burke (William Burke) who together figured prominently in the May 28, 1863 Gayoso Savings Institution Bank Robbery on Madison at Main, Memphis, TN
Memphis Daily Appeal, December 23, 1865, Image 3 - Condition of the City Jail on Adams at Third (old Slave Market of Gen. N.B. Forrest) - the 13 yr old boy in there could be Jake Ackerman (M. Burke his alias) - ". . .a horrible place of punishment and a disgrace to the districts. . .the rooms in the basement about fifteen feet square, full to overflowing, and we call on the friends of humanity to assist the proper officers to abate the dreadful evil. . . ."
Old Irving Block Military Prison (Civil War) at Second St and Jefferson, East side of Court Sq in Memphis, TN where Jake Ackerman was in 1863 (under the false name/surname of Michael and/or William Burk or Burke)