Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-01


difficulty before: had always been peaeea-
bic man; had beard good deal of talk of
Mr.. Poindexter's character in the last three
or four months, enough to form an opinion
as to his general character for peace or vio-
lence; regarded him as very bold and Feck-
less, and rather dangerous; had always found
him very polite in personal intercourse; he
was man who wouldn't hesitate TO shoot;
quick to take up a dificulty.
Cross-E1amised By the Prosecution.
hardly any personal knowledge of bis charac-
ter; never undertook to ascertain particular
features of bis character; never heard OF any
difficulty between Mr. Hail and either hr.
Laughlin, Me- Marshal, or Mr.. Marling.
Defense asked witness if be knew of Mr..
Prs being engaged in frequent sanguinaiy
difficulties. The question was objected TO by
the Prosecution, and an argument made on
both sides. Court admitted the question as
follows: Was Mr. P.'s character that of a
fighting mani Witness-Yes, it was.
The defence here read from the Union and
American and Ne1cs sundry extracts to show
how the difficulty originated.
JNo. H. CALENDER, called.-Had known
Mr. p since October, 1858, in this city. as
editor of Union and american; his general
character was that OF a brave man, gallant
and honorable; morbidly sensitive to imputa-
| tions or reflections on his character or state
ments; when once reused was vindictive, and
would pursue quarrel 10 fatal issue with
out care or cost OF consequences to himself;
disposed to be violent, and was dangerous
man; think the community so regarded him;
| witness had known Mr.. Hall all his (witnes-
| ses's) life; had known him personally eight
or ten years; never heard of his being in
difficulty before, think he was regarded as
| peaceabie man.
Cross-E1qmlned Jsf Prosecution.-Don't think
I Mr. as IL %
| garded him as an honorable man who would
| defend himself, but would not be eager for a
| difficulty; never heard OF him in any difficult
| ty until this.
SAM. d. MORGAN, called.-Was not person
ally acquainted with Mr.. p, but knew his
| general character in this community for
/ peace or violence; he was man who would
! resent an insult quick; was brave and .
| dangerous man to come in contact with; his
| general character was that of a fighting man;
| had known Mr.. Hall twenty-five or thirty
years; his character during that time has
been that of quiet ptaceable man, and he
knew nothing to the contrary; heard very
little said about it; never as TO his forbear
ance.
JAS. WooD, called-Was not acquainted
with Mr.. p; knew his general reputation to
be that of fighting man; was regarded as
rather a dangerous man; had known Mr..
Hall twenty-five or thirty years, and he bad
always borne the character of a peaceable
man.
JNo D. KELLY, called Have been ac-
quainted with Mr.. p. personally about
| year; was first introduced to him in Clarks-
| vile, knew his general character for peace
or violence; was gentlemanly man in his
| private intercourse, and high toned; when
| he regarded his integrity questioned or honor
| impeached would resent il TO the last; he was
| regarded as dangerous under such circum-
stances; had the character of fighting man,
| and a dangerous man in this community;
| had known Mr.. Hall twenty years or more;
! he was considered man of peace; had no
character for lighting; witness never doubted
that he would defend himself if assailed.
@. NJ. FOGG ca1ed.--Had been acquainted
With Mr.. Hall for 80 years; there was no
more peaceable or amiable man in the COM
munity; knew Mr.. p. very well; always con-
sidered him high toned gentleman, and
man of great gentleness; was very sensitive
and a dangerous man in fight; had the
character of being lighting man, certainly;
he would act quickly in a difficulty.
Cross-E1dmiaed by Prosecution not re-
gard him as a dangerous citizen; was pecu-
larly sensitive aud would construe affronts
where others would not.
Il. L. SMILEY called.-Had known Mr.
Halls character for peace or violence for 25
years, no man sustained higher character
Tor peace; was acquainted with MIR p;
he had formed the character of q heightened
sociable and generous man, in the estimation
of some very sensitive; had seen a good deal
of him, boarded at same hotel; he was quick
to construe an insult and speedy to resent;
regarded him as dangerous man; u man
who would resent an insult without delibera-
ton and violently; peaceable men were
sometimes dangerous, not having patience 10
forbear.
JAMES Z. RAINS, called.-Was acquainted
with the character of Mr.. p. for peace or
violence; was regarded as dangerous fight
ing man, violent in collisions.
Cross-E1emued 6y Prorscu1on. Think he
would get in difficulty qaickly and fight
desperately, regardless; a man who would
probably demand of others more courtesy
than he would show; presumed he would give
ample redress if convinced of discourtesy;
would demand the strictest courtesy from
others.
Question 5y Defense. Regarded as a man
easily offended, aud dangerous when offend
ed.
SAMUEL SAEY, called.--Had known Mr..
Hall for 80 years; was acquainted with his
general character for peace or violence; al
ways considered a pcaceable, quiet man; had
never seen Mr.. p, to his knowledge; thinks,
from his knowledge of his general character,
that he was passionate, resenIful, quick and
dangerous.
JNo LELLYETT, called.-Acquainted with
Mr.. Halls character for over 20 years; re-
garded as very peaceable man; Mr. Prs
reputation for peace and violence witness
thought we'll defned was regarded as a
fighting man; one who would rush hastily
into a fight, and make himself dangerous;
was regarded as somewhat aggressive, would
| not delay or party, but make it a desperate
affair at once if in difficulty; regarded as a
dangerous man.
X. c. MCNAIRY, called.-Was acquitted
| with the general character of Mr.. Hall; was
regarded as as an amiable, courteous gentle
man, and man OF peace; had no know l.
| edge of Mr.. Prs character.
THOMAS WASHINGTON, called.-Had known
Mr.. Hall probably longer than Mr.. H. bad
known him, witness. First saw him in 1918,
when school boy; knew him subsequently,
at the bar at Nashville. which he left and
took charge of a newspaper; this was before
| Gen. Jackson's election to the Presidency;
| had been in intercourse with Mr.. H. since,
aud knew his general character; was a spirit
| ed man, ready TO defend himself W tn his pen,
which he was very able to do, aud a man not
| to be run over as a man; was very peacea-
| BILE, civil, inotfensive man; had never known
Mr.. p; had heard good deal of bIs shaTac-
ter; his knowledge OF is was such as he
would have acted upon; had heard of his
being in four broils; was regarded as guar
| relsome aud puguacious man, dangerous from
being in the habit OF using deadly wea pons.
+. b. FoGG ealled.-Had been acquainted
with Mr.. Hall upwards of thirty years; was
always understood To be a quiet. peaceable
man; had never heard of him in any difficult
ties; can only say, as TO Mfr. P's character,
what be had heard in the last six months
knew him in GAINESVILLE be drew his con-
| illusions from conversations had with him
upon literary aud political suhjects his con-
| clusion was that he was a very honorable
man, sensitive in regard 10 any thing touch
| ing his personal or political character, aud
resentful; according to the idea OF the world,
a man of spirit; would resent quickly reaec-
tions upon himself or party would resent
an injury quicker than most people. and
| would resort 10 means generally regarded