The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-04-17
Murder Of General Bankhead.
NO CLUE TO THE MuRDERERs.

Murder Of General Bankhead.
No CLUE TO THE MURDERERS.
We condense as follows from the Mem
phis Bulletin Of the I'd inst:
Another victim has fallen by the hand o.
an assassin on the streets of Memphis
General Smith P. Bankhead, the gifted thu
noble and the talented is no more HI
died at a late hour OH the night of Sunday
from the cruel and murderous blows re
ceived at midnight on Saturday from the
bludgeon of an unknown assassin, aftel
lingering in the greatest agony for about
twenty-four hours. The particulars Of the
murderous assault may be briefly recapitu
lated. During the evening he had been
with number of friends at various places
in the city, and while alone between il
and IL o'clock, he entered singing saloon
on Main street, known as the "GOlden
STAR He left that place about ~ o'clock,
and while passing along Main street, atthe
corner of Washington street, midnight
assassin, who had evidently been on his
track, with the intention Of robbing him,
came up behind the General and struck
him fearful blow over the head with a
bludgeon, inflicting o frightful wound =
The blows were repeated four different
times, and the unfortunate gentleman fell
to the ground with his skull fractured in
two places, and the brains protruding from
the wounds. A policeman who was walk
ing up Washington street at the time, dis
tinctly saw the blows, given, and rushed
to the spot The assassin, however, doubt
less saw him approaching, for he made off
at so rapid a rate that he could not be
identified. Capt. Waldraven, late Chief of
the Fire Brigade, and VIM. Peters, q steam
boat pilot, were also at the spot an instant
after the assault took place, and although
they both saw the assassin run away, his
movements were SO rapid, and the night so
dark, that they only got q partial view of
him, and are unable to give any descrip-
ton of his personal appearance.
The three persons, Immediately on COM
ing to the spot where Gen. BanEhead lay,
did all they could to help him, and had
him conveyed to the First District police
station. DR.. w. II. White was soon In at
tendance, and did everything in his power
which medical skill could suggest for the
wounded man. From the injuries be had
received, DR.. White saw the case was hope.
less, as it was impossible the General
could survive the very serious injuries he
had received. He was conveyed to his
residence as speedily as possible, and al.
though the most eminent medical gentle
men in the city were in attendance, all
their efforts to prolong life was unavailing.
The General lay in an almost unconscious
condition till late hour on Sunday night,
when death came to his relief, and the
spirit returned to the God who gave it.
Coroner Cotton held an inquest on the
body, and although Capt. Waldraven, Mr..
Peters and the policeman were all called
as witnesses, no light was thrown on the
mysterious murder, and no clue could be
got to the midnight assassin. The jury re-
turned as their verdict that "the deceased
came to his death by being struck on the
head, thereby fracturing the skull, by an
instrument in the hands of some person or
persons to the jury unknown"
In the forenoon Of yesterday a man NAM
ed Spillman was arrested by the police on
suspicion, as he was seen to leave the sa-
loon about the same time that Gen. Bank
head did, but he appeared toknow nothing
about the matter that was likely to lead to
the apprehension Of the assassin.
A meeting Of the members Of the bar
was held at noon, anda committee appoint
ed to draft series of resolutions expressive
IF the feelings of the bar of Memphis at|the
loss OF SO greatly respected and SO talented
! brother lawyer.
The Board Of Alderman and Mayor also
leld meeting, when condolatory resolu-
ions were introduced by Alderman Shaw,
md unanimously adopted.
The funeral of the deceased gentleman
5ook place from Calvary Church at 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon, and was large.
y attended.
Smith P. Bankhead was born, reared,
Ind educated in Virginia. His father, at
he time ct his death, was q Colonel of ar
;illeay in the United States Army, and, in
OF rank, stood next to Gen. Scott. |
Ten. Magruder is near kinsman of the de-
sedent. The writer first knew the subject |
# this notice when he was a soldier in |
Mexico. Then in 1846-47, he commanded |
company from Virginia. Through the
ecent war he wore the sword given him
" the county in Virginia from which his
company was mustered in service for Mex.
can campaigns. After the Mexican war,
len. Bankhead was for time in New
Mexico and California. In 1852 he came
% Memphis, though we believe he resided |
or a time in GAINESVILLE. He conducted
The Wing, a newspaper that was eminent
y successful until he ceased to manage it. /
he became a lawyer, was chosen CITY
Attorney, and such was his thorough &C.
luaintance with the affairs of the city, and I
% intimate his knowledge Of decisions at. I
Getting corporations, that his services were
leemed indispensable by many successive
administered
He entered the Confederate service in |
S6l as Captain Of artillery, was speedily
promoted, became chief Of artillery in I
'olk's corps, was transferred to Texas,
shere bis kinsmah, Gen. Magruder was in
Command, and was captured during the
asst year of the war while crossing the
The Avalanche Of the I'd says:
Sheriff Winters last evening arrested
sergeant Hogan of the 10th Regular Uni
ed States Infantry, stationed here, on sus-
'icion of being implicated in the murder
i General Bankhead, on Saturday night.
logan is in Jail. He may have q prelim
nary examination before magistrate to-
ay.
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