Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-11-25
Death of G, G. Poindexter.


tor of the Daily Ee', an opposition paper publish
ed in Nashville.
The circumstances OF the difficulty between them,
as gathered from other Nashville papers are, briefly
as follows: In 1884, paper called the Republican
was published in Nashville, and edited by Mr.. Hall.
A convention was about to assemble there with
view to altering the State Constitution, so as to pro
vide for the gradual abolition of slavery in the State
An article in the Republican, having reference to
this proposed convention contained the following
paragraph:
alt Is supposed that efforts will be made to insert
q provision for the gradual abolition of slavery and
perhaps the colonization Of our coored population
Upon the propriety of this step shall not at pre-
sent, decide. Much would depend upon the nature
Of the provision, whether, well adapted TO our pre-
cent and future condition The Legislature of Tenn
essee has already taken up the cause of colonization
and made perhaps liberal provisions for il as our
finances permitted. The nature OF things-the
march of public opinion--the voice of religion AL
have said that American slavery must have an
eEd."
"what shall be the legislative measures to that
effect, and Uhen they shall begin are questions for
prudence to determine .fl. ..f
This paragraph the Union and american repub-
e. and few days after, again referred to il, and
reprinted the latter part of it, still leaving out the
last clause This was regarded effort to prove
Mr. Hall unsound upon the slavery question, and he
pronounced the course of the Union and American
'unscruputous,' accused it of 'yarbting, and 'cf
sappressinga part Of the truth for the unworthy pur
pose Of perperhng The words and meaning ola poHt-
cal opponent" &c. This appeared in the News, on
Wednesday morning before the sad occurrence. In
the Union of next day the editor referred to it, and
said the charges and insnuations against his paper
were @uttcrly destitute of TRUTH and that he 'could
not consent TO carry on controversy with an editor
who would utter calumnies against contemporary,
and trust to the privilege of age to shield him from
responsibility" Soon after this appeared Mr.. Pon-
dexter and son of editor Hall met in the street and
had little fist-fght about it, but were separated,
without damage to either. 1t is understood that
Immediately after this Mr.. Poudexter addressed a
note TO young Hall to bring about hostile meeting
and that q correspondence about it ensued butnone
took place and but litte far as we have heard is
known about it, outside. This, however, is only
incidental In answer to Mr. Pondexters remarks,
senior (of whom only we shall continue to speak,
published a card in his paper over his own sigma
ture, in which he said that the Unions charge of
cowardice upon him was "false and caunnious;
that the editor of the Union had trusted to the pistol
to shield from exposure his mis-statements and
misrepresentatons but that he, Hall nevertheless
should continue as he had begun, to expose bis he
Unon's) ''mis-statements, misrepresentation, and
falsehoods," whenever occasion required, and was
fully responsible, and able to protect his person
from assault, and to punish the assailont.'
After this appeared in the Ncrs, on Friday morn
ing Mr. Pundcxter called, after breakfast, with two
friends at the Office of the NeS, and asked for Mr..
Hall, and was told that he had not yet come down
from home. He soon called a second time, but Mr..
Hall had not yet come to his Office. Shortly after
this Mr.. Hall did come in, and was told that Mr..
Poindexter had twice called for him; and, in few
minutes, was further informed that he was again
approaching the Office. Thereupon Mr.. Hall took
a position 10 front of his door, and as Mr. PoindeX-
ter spproaced him. called to him twice not to come
nny further lie continued, however to advance,
rather it is said quickcnng his pace, and making a
motion, as If to draw weapon, at Mr.. Hall sec
ond call to HIM, to stop whcrcupon Hall levelled
double-barre shotgun at him, fired, and Mr.. Poin-
dexter fell dead about fifty feet from Mr. Hall, his
pistol falling the pavement at his side. lie was
taken up, and carried into an office, near by gasp
cd once, as he was laid upon settcc, and expired
An inquest was held upon the body and II verdict
that he came to his death by gunshot Wonnd at
II Mr. at
once gave himself into custody, and was taken be-
fore a court of three magistrates for preliminary
trial Neil S. Brown, L. II. Ewing, II. II. New
ing jr, and Jno, 5. Bren, Esqsp appeared as his
counsel, while Attorney General Bate and Andrew
Ewing, Esq, appeared for the prosecution, The
Attorney General, having other pressing engage
ments, desired postponcment of the trial, aud the
defence agreeing to it, it was fixed for the next
Friday (ths day at 10 o'clock, A. NJ.
The announcement, of the sulden and violent
death of Mr.. PoindcXter, was received here by all
classes, and parties who knew him, with profound
and unaffected grief He had lived here for several
years, practicng law in copartncrship with Col W.
A. Quarlcs, and had cndcarcd himself to all his as
sociates. His natural intellectual endowms'fts were
of a high order aud had been cultivated by thor
ough education az one Of the hest Colleges in New
England whore d.. .niuatoi few years ago. Hi
varied intelligence hs polished manners, and warn
and generous impulses made him iavoriIc will
every circle in which he moved, and attachments
once formed for him, were OF singuary strong
aud endcaring character.
The writer of this now dwes in fond remcm
brance of many pleasant hours spent in his society
and the sentiment now Eel, by us, that recollcc
ton of his many manly virtues, the persuasive at
Effectiveness of his chlsto and polished discourse
and the warm and manly impulses Of his heart, vii
long preserve his memory green aud fresh, viii b
echoed by all who knew hm and affection wi
often lead rs, in fond devotion to the shrine tina
shall cover the pcrshing dust of the loved and to