Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-12-01


him. with view of interesting myself in him. He
was very fine scholar, and was q very poor one
so that is was TO my interest to cultivate him. He
was retiring in his manners. I never, that know
of heard hil character called in question pug
naeious man. he was remarked as q man retiring
in his disposition and peaceable in his relations with
the community. He was very diIninutive in his
size. That may have had something TO do in sug-
costing the idea of mis- being pugnacious. never
knew of his having difficulty, with but one excep-
ton He was very respectful to the old, gallant to
ladies' and wonderfully afeetionate TO children.
would make this remark, that learned that his re-
sring habits grew out of the fact that he saw very
badly understood that he was very much near
sighted.
Gross examination by Mr. E H Ewing
never heard his character discussed in regard to
peace and violence, except since he has been IN
Nashville He was very retiring and taciturn in his
manner rather than quick-tempePed had but little
opportunity to know whether he sensitive or not
| never saw any display of temper. and don't know
how much it would take to him. He was eour-
teous and polite. He was always considered as
bland affabie and polite in his intercourse with his
fellows. l have seen some polite men who were
dangerous | have heard that Gen. Jackson was a
polite man. though never saw him. don't know
whether politeness and gaantry is part of chival
ry OF not | am not acquainted with those matters
never saw Gen Jackson, but he bore the character
of being a courteous, polite and bland gentleman
should not think that detracted anything from the
danger of q mans character. l was acquainted
with Mr. Poindexter as member OF the bar. lie
had not great deal of practice. He was engaged
in politics in 1852 which seemed to draw him from
his profession. He never acquired any considerable
practice in the Circuit He was not brought re-
markably in collision with the members of the bar
He lived at GAINESVILLE however, where the Court
held the longest sessions. He had difficulty with
Gen. Hornberger. l heard but did not witness it.
L know nothing of that difficulty. except from in
formation. have tried to lead Mr.. Poindexter out
on the subjectOf the difficulty, but never succeed
ed. lie was not a boastful man at all was init
mate with him. l don't remember that ever heard
anything that calculated to bring out his tem-
per-
Direct examination resumed
He was engaged in politics then. He was elector
in the district and canyasssd pretty vigorously, and
was brought in collision with all who chose to speak
believe have not heard a political speech in ten
years, and don't know what temper was displayed
in the canvass.
Gross Examination resumed.
If he had any political difficulties the stump,
did not know it.
Col. Cave johnson. Direct Examination by Mr.
Ewing.
have been acquainted with Mr.. Poindexter for
several years. have resided here for the last six
years. knew Mr.. Poindexter in Montgomery. /
have known his family for several years. was not
acquainted with him till he went to Clarksvile to
practice law. knew him well there, and have known
him ever since. | knew his character for peace
and violence there and here, well as l know any
one else. He was regarded in tile community at
GAINESVILLE as as mild amiable, and unofendng q
man as any in the country. He was polite and anna
BILE TO everybody; but upon questions affecting his
honor and yeracity, he was very sensitive-eXceed-
ingly so, and, perhaps, l may say, remarkably so
but as TO his being quarrelsome or dangerous man
he never had any character of that sort. think he
maintained the same character here, except as to
urn xyh n ms
Of veracity. He was very brave and firm at the
time he was man who did not involve him
self in questions with ody-except in questions
involving his yeraclty.
Cross Examination BY Mr.. F. Fl. Ewing
Ho regarded a quiet, and rather
retiring man at Clarksville lie was exceedingly
sensitive and perhaps morbidly so. | came to that
conclusion after he came TO Nashville from the ma
ture of his controversies here with the editors He
was a brave man and sensitive when his integrity
was impcached. He was not regarded as dangerous
man by his friends and would not take advantage OF
any man. He had the strictest sense of honor, and
would put any in a position of entire equality.
1t is likely he would attack but would give his OPP
ponent fair opportunity for defence. He would
have attacked any man without regard TO his per-
sonal safety who had injured his reputation. new
heard of any difficulties. except with editors Of
other papers squabblng about questions of fact or
questions of integrity. don't know of but two Oc-
caslons-with the editors of the Bonner and the Pa
U1Oi. don know OF any GI1eF prlOf 10 their ulIn
Guilty. He went with Gov. Brown 10 Washington in
March. 1851, and remained about year, and came
here, suppose, in 1853 He had been here less than
two years. / heard he had a difficulty with young
John Hall Just before this. l think he was a man
who acted pretty much upon his own judgment. and
was not likely to be influenced upon questions affect
ing his veracity or honor. l had not tried to dis
suade him from this difficulty. l knew nothing
about it, or perhaps | should have done SO.
Mr. Montgomery Davie, of GAINESVILLE. Direct ex-
dexter for the last eighteen or tweEty years. have
resided in Montgomery county for the last eight or
ten years l was raised with Mr.. POindexter IN
Christian county, Ky. have known him intimate
Is. He never was looked upon a violent man.
went to school EitI him. As a schOOl-bOy he was
always considered as rather diffdent-anyt but
violent man He was hard student lie was
quito q peaCeable and quiet man. | made political
canvass with him. and spoke some eighteen or twenty
times. have been in the habit of coming to Nash
willie frequently.
Cross examination.
never heard his character discussed as 10 peace
and violence. except recently. l always looked up
on him = man Of peace. He was man of I'M
doubted courage. He was man who would not
brook an insult, st the same time he was a man as
far from giving insult, as any man l ever knew.
have not mixed much with the citizens of Nash
Vile don't know his character here, of a recent
date. was here frequently in 1865 but not much
since. (The question Have you not heard that he
has had frequent difficulties ola sangunary nature!
was asked and objected to. The objection was
overruled1 have seen it in the papers, and heard
something about it, though not much. except what
was in the papers. Still. it has always been my
opinion and was, up to his death, that he was a
peaceable man. have been absent from the State
about month, but have seen these difficulties in
he papers, and have heard something about them
Eom others.
Mr.. Calvin Jackson. Direct examination by Mr.
A. Ewing.
| lived in Wilson county, and moved to Nashville
asst January. | first knew Mr. P0indexter in 1851
n 81 lie came to my hOuse to 1--we. He resided
here between two and three years l knew his |
haractcr in Wilson for peace and violence. His |
haracter there thst of a very peaceabe man. /
don't think he had difficulty while he was there.
have known him since he resided here. l have |
nOwn him intimately, up to the time of his death; !
rom the time | came here. His character herd /
vas that of a peaceable man. But if any man re-
ected upon his honor or veracity, by publication
r by word, he would have compelled him 70 fight,
7 retract, do something of that sort He was
repaired to repel all attacks on his character. He
Tas very sensitive man to the rights of others as
lell as TO his owns much as any man | ever 4
lw in my life. He near-sighted. / have no idea
f the distance at which he could distinguish accu-
ately. l don't, of my own knowledge, know
neither he knew Mr.. Hall.
Cross examination by Mr.. Brien. NJ
| think he would resent what he considered an in
nit to his character quickly any man earth.
don't think he cared anything about his safety.
hen he was insuted. Ii was as honorable mani
| ever in my life.
Direct examination resumed.
FerOcity or aggresSivsle less was not any part of
IS character.
". A Forbes, of GAINESVILLE. Direct examination
y Mr.. A. Ewing.
Ihave been acquainted with Mr.. POindexter for
bout eight years. reside in GAINESVILLE and knew
i'm as well as l do any man. l knew his character
II peace and violence, while he was in GAINESVILLE.
+. Poindexter was quiet, peaceabe man, so far
| knew him. | believe that he man of de-
rmined courage, though he would not willingly
fend any one. l think he had the reputation Of a
ntleman, and man of honor, as much as any one !
ever knew. He would not however, brook any
rsonal indgnity to himself and would be quick to
pei it. As to his character in other respects.
ppose it is not necessary for me to speak. He | '
as a pleasant gentleman in the family. / should, {
wevar, say, as wish to express myself distinctly
at he was what ia considered to be sensitive in
I'D to his character. never knew Mr.. POindexter I
be engaged in GAINESVILLE in any difficulties ex- '
pit such happen to almost every body-little c
arrels that passed over. don't know of those
yself but only from rumOr lie was near sighted.
d a rather absent-minded man, / think My inn :
ession is that his vision not good at forty or i
ty feet / would not and could not say positively
to that think have noticed his not being able {
see well at that distance. /
examination by Mr., Brien. n
He was exceedingly sensitive. He would repel an j
,ult to his honor, and do it quickly He would do ;
so far personal safety was concern Il
- urI,aEN.. .