, 1860-02-10
TRAGEDY IN MEMPHIS.
Inme7 T., Webb Shot and Instantly
Killed by Thomas Il. Mynaft.

From the Memphis i-alaa.he Feb.+.1
About half past fire o'clock last evening a
most sad and fatal occurrence took place ut the
eorner OF Main and Union streets, which result
cd in the death Of James Ii Webb, one Of our
most prominent and esteemed citizens, Mt the
hauds Of Deputy Sheriff Thomas i. Mynast.
Numerous stories rs to the origin Of the atEtay
were he last MI 5ht, but according 10 tue testt-
mony adduced at tue coEoner's inquest, the facts
are Us follows:
Mr.: Webb had been eonversing with Nr. Gold
berger, y:ho occupies the store Ut tue corner Of
Nain and Union streets, upon the subject Of
some property, the former desiring the lats-rto
purchaser it. Mr.. Goldbergsr Was called away
by the presence Of o customer in his store; and
nftc. the lapse Of ten or fifteen mrutes. return
ed to the door, when he observed Ar. Webb and
Mr. Mynatt tn conversation near the edge ofthe
/ sidewalk After abort time, Mr. Goldberger,
Mr. Brown and 3lrs. Sweet. who were Witness
| cs, heard Ar. Webb say that certain thing.
| THE nature Of which they were unable to ienr.l
twas not so, and whoever asserted il was liar y
| when Mr. Webb called him "d--d liar-" Upon
this, Mr. Nyuatt struck Mr. Webb in the lace
| with his fist. 4 slight scutlle ensued in which
Mr. Webb appeared TO be trying to defend him.
| self, and in TACT WAS resreat,n., when Mr.. Ny
na:t drew Colts repeater from bis pocket and
junclure "that be (Mynatt) was u coward and
dare not Shoot" When MIR. Nynatt raised his
| pistol Those who witnessed the affair, hap
| perins to be in range Of the pistol, got out ol
Ihc way aud did not see the firing, hut she ne11
moment shot wss heard, and Mr. Webb fel! to
the pavement. The ball from the pistol strrck
him just ee ow the ri:ht temple, between he
point Of I'll. cheek bone and articulation Of The
jaw,pass;ug down and LODGING in the base Il: .he
brain, kilnn3 him instantly. In fall!r., Mr
Webb struck his head upon stone pi.f, bJ
| which an incision two inches lon. and e::!eud
| has 5I-S1t EA I'm NJ i
head, md from coming in contact with ths
pavement tile back part Of his head was slight.
confused. a1r. Mynatt replaced his pistol abou
his person. nnd gave hims:lt to the police Office
who took him to jait- Ar. Mynatt WIS formerl,
book-keeper for Mr. Webb
i large and anxious crowd gathered ut tb
scene OF tile killing in u very fer minutes, an'
Nr. Wcbbs body was taken into the store oc
cupied By Frank Smith Co., where an inques
was shortly after held By Coroner Horne.
Mr. Webb was about fosty-liye years Of age
and leaves large aud interesting family +
mourn his loss. He WAS The father os som
eight or nine children, ali Of whom are now liy
ing, we believe Only few moments preyiou
to bis death he had escorted his wife part c
the way to their home on Union street. Th
effect Of this sudden and fearful blow upon th
family Of the deceased can only be i:nag giued-
not described
Mr. Webb was one OF the Oldest and MOS
esteemed citizens OF Memphis. lie lad bee
i | actively engaged in business for ever twent
years. aud many Of our public works and tin
: buildings stand Us monuments to his enternris
and public spirit At the time OF his death,
5 was at the head Of the wellknown house
t Webb + Rawlings. kind-hea1ted and gcne1ou
: to fault, all who knew him admired and lore
= hls manly bearing and upright conduct LII
c untime'y loss will be sincerely n,ouruea BY th
entire community, while his tamily has ii
heartfelt sympathy Of all