Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-04-28
The EIemiclde nt rlemphIs.

DEATH Of AidsrmGa EOllsRtiRs-A Full fsVSS-
tigatiOs-AeqEittai Of NJ. Aefsa.
From the Memphis Bulletin. March III
While our readers are aware Of the nature of
the difficulty between Mr. Vollsntine and Mr.
Moffatt, which was attended with such melsn-
eholy results, yet they have not been informed
Of anything like the fRh truth Of the occur
eenee. In The ststemeBt We published, we stu
diously avoided relating all we knew Of it, lest
il might be supposed we were giving a one
sided view Of the matter, wishing to msnufsc-
tuye sympathy for Hr Moffstt because he was
an sttsehe of this Office. In statement pub
lished elsewhere, the sffsir was given in buch q
light, that every person at all eognizsHt Of the
facts kesitated not 10 say that either there was
negligence in collecting the facts, or hostility
toward Hr. Moffstt in relating them. Now the
sworn testimony has been obtsined, we lay il
before the public and slow them to Judge how
fsr Justice has been done in the publications
puTporting 10 state the facts in this sad affair.
Its effect was to obtain instant acquiIts for Mr..
Moffstt
Tbs frst witness called was VIM. w. Jones,
who, after being duly swoEn, says:
wss st the council chamber Cf the city Of
Memphis on the l9sh Of March, 1864; am
alderman OF the fifth ward; 1 was thsrs await
ing the session, when Mr.. AOffet, reporter OF
the Baletin, came in; Moffstt and myself soon
engaged in conversation, we were sitting on the
table used by the members Of ths FIRST ward
talking Of military natter; we were the only
persons 10 the room; Moffett was facing me-
bis back being toward the door, my head was
somewhat inclined, and l had not seen OF heard
the approach OF any one, when I WAS sston-
shed at the EoUnd Of blow. On looking up,
saw Nj Volleniine in the act Of striking
M felt second blow with hssyy hickory
cane. Moffsfs got of the table, Vollsntins still
striking him with the cane until he broke the
small end of it, when be turned il, using the
loaded end on Moffett's head. Yollsntine, IS
he struck Moffett the second OF third blow, ex-
claimed, "YOu damned seoundFel,. you have
published damned lies about me-" Moffstt 70
Piled 81 have not; allow me 70 explain" Vol
Ientine ssid, ''NO, don't want an explanation;
will take satisfaction here" and continued
striking Meffsst. think al the fourth blow
MofFslt fell to the AooF. As he, Moffstt, was
recovering his feet, he drew pistol and fred.
VolisnEine still continued striking with his
cane, and Mcffstt struck back with the pistol
After seufiing in this manner foT some mo
meats, YolIenline fell back upon the floor and
expired in about fifteen minutes. Moffstt fred
but onee, although be had four shots in the re-
voiysr A derringer pistol WAS taken cut Of
Y0Ileniine's pocket at the inquest, which was
loaded and cooked.
Mr.. Samuel HsTman depOsed as follows;
was at the city hall on the l9sh March last,
on business with the tax collector on privileges.
met Mr.. Hiram VOllertins at the door Of the
council chamber, and spoke 70 him about lieen-
ses. He did not Answer my questions but
locking into the council chamber, drew pistol
from his trousers pocket, cooked it, put il into
ms coat Doeket, grEspsd bis stick, walked into
tbe roona and began striking person there over
The besd with his stick. Vollentine succeeded,
sfteT several blows, in knocking the other man
down, who, IS be was rising, hTed q pistol,
when I left, not wishing to see any more Of the
trouble.
W.. II. Bridges testified that he came in at the
termination OF the difficulty, and before Yollen-
tine fell. BE did not see any blows struck BY
either party. Nor did Moffstt approach OF offer
to strike Vollsntins after he fell.
After hearing the testimony the court acquit-
ted Moffsts, and ordered his bonds 20 be can
eelsd.