Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-09-05
Etc

-ASaE -NSFg ~
We have the sad duty to perform this
morning of announcing the death of Col.
JAMES BIRNEY MARSHALL, one of the
oldest and most brilliant members of the
press of Memphis, indeed we might say of
the whole country. The circumstances at
tending it are of a most melancholy ma
ture, andhave cast a deep gloom over the
community of which he was an honored
member.
HIS DEATH
occurred some time during Saturday night
at what hour il is impossible to say. but
it is supposed about eleven O'Clock. Yes
terday morning, as officers O'Neil and
Duffy, of the night force, were returning
home, about half-past five o'clock, they
saw something lying in the alley between
the theater and the old post Office build
ing, resembling q human form. On ap-
prosching, they found it to be the body of
Colonel Birney Marshall, quite dead, and
horribly crushed. He was dressed in a
night-shirt and drawers simply, and from
his position it was evident that he had
FALLEN FROM A WINDOW
in the post Office building, where be
roOmed. He was lying face downward,
with his left arm under the body, and ter
ribly mutilated; some papers were lying
dIOuLu hlLus BuL uOub lUNACnlllR kQAG LneN
belonged to him. Information was imme-
diately conveyed to the Adams street sta
tion house, and arrangements were made
for 8 ~cOrouer's
INQUEST,
which was held by Esquire Miller. The
jury was composed of most respectable
citizens, and after a very brief cOnsults-
tiou they returned q very of death from
accidental causes, to-wit: Failing from e
window Of the second story of the Post
Office building"
H CAUSES
of this lsmentable accident are, and must
necessarily remain, a mystery. The most
reasonable hypothesis is, however, that
the deceased had prepared to retire, or
probably had retired, when the band
which was prOmenading Jefferson street,
between IL and II O'Clock, came aiong:
that he came 10 the window (which
reaches nearly to the floor and sat down.
He either lost his balanced in sitting down, /
or possibly seated himself on tine sill,
went TO sleep, and fell out.
PERSONAL HISTORY.
Such a man as J. B. Marshall should
not descend to the tomb ~unnOticad. For
getting his fOibles and his weaknesses,
there was much in his life to attract at
tentfon, comment and praise. Mr.. Mar
shall was born in Kentucky, in the GEAR
lSl0, and was, therefore, about sixty
years OF age. He belonged 70 the family
of Marshalls whose talent, genius and
patriotism have shed lustre upon the his
tory OF Virgins and Kentucky. Mr.. Mar
shall's maternal relations were noted for
their talent, rs his mother WIS a sister to
James q. Birney, who once lived in
Huntsville, Alabama, and was a caudi-
date for President of the United States in
ISii. J.. b. Marshall, whose sad Death we
have just announced, was a regular grad
uate. When a boy, his mind was quick.
s~prightly and retentive, and he graduated
al an early age with the highest honors.
He commenced business in life at Louis
vile, Kentucky, as Clerk in one Of the
over which a relation presided. He
soon transferred from this position to
Cashier in u of the Louisville banks.
the meantime Mr.. Marshall
had been studiOus in his reading,
had displayed great literary taste, .
and soon connected himself with
he press at Louisville, since which
lime he has been a regular contributor to
he literature of b South and West. 1.
After many years residence in Louisville,
and connection with the Times and other
papers, he removed TO Columbus, Ohio, !
was connected with the Statesman. p.
while sam Medary was Governor Of
He was next employed upon !
,he Cincinnati Enquirer as one OF its ed !
tors. Mr.. Marshall removed to New
Orleans in 1856, where he was prominent
literary circles, and the compAnion and !
Associate of such men as S. S. Prentiss
md Perris SOule, and upon the memora- ,
Die visit Of Henry Clay to New, Orleans. j.. !
b. Marshall was the first person the great
of Ashland inquired for. MI. !
Marshall was connected with the press :
IF New Orleans for many years, and had !
he confidence and friendship of Dennis
J~orcorsn, of the Delta, and Lumsden d
Kendall, of the Pic0ytae. During the !
war Mr.. Marshall was engaged in literary
at Nicksburg. After the close Of !
ow-c citizen Capt. James 0. Durff, at Cairo. :
he removed to this city in 1856, and has
been an occasional contributor to the
Memphis press ever since. He wrote the !
EDITORIAL articles in the Ledger on Satur-
evening, which indicate that his mind J
vas clear and vigorous. Col. Mar :
hall was one of the most brilliant writers .
lie and graceful. Nature gave him :
endorsements, and he improved +
hem well. bis mind was severely dis .
and thoroughly trained in his !
youth by academic studies, and actively :
Exercised thereafter in the investigation :
md solution of the different problems Of !
political economy. He was to the close :
II his life a literary laborer, constantly :
the oar, and striving to ascend the =
.tream Of knowledge, that he might i'm =
oibe it fresh and undeflsd at its fountain. 4.
he entered upon the examine :
Of every question with the :
and candid spirit of an earn /
81 seeker of truth, and brought 10 his ala v
advantages of q strong mind we'll q
tored with knowledge. HIS editorial ar '
and his literary productions, wheth- =
r prose or poetry, display a mind meth ,
dical, logical, earnest, clear and 7
onclusiye. He was in politics a strict =
3nstructionist of the Constitution and a l
salous champion OF the largest liberties 7
+ the States. he spprehended and alb q
ored consolidation more than ~disunion, =
I'D lis sympSthies were therefore with =
10 South during the war. He had many \,
snerOus traits Of character. He leaves d
OF an enemy in Memphis, where he has =
for several years. Mr.. Marshall :,
'sves a son and daughter, who reside at n
ovington, Kentucky. ~
oBsEQUIEs. m
AS soon as his friends learned the sad n,
nd OF Colonel Marshall, a telegram was N
mt by Mr.. VIII o.. Woodson 10 the W
rother OF the deceased, the Hon. Hum sc
lrey Marshall, to which the following th
ply was received, sent by his son: De
CONVICTION, KY, September 4. 1870. ri
" Have the remains Of J. B.. Marshall st.
'operly attended TO, and forward them pa
me at Frankfort, KY, by express. OF
~. L. MARSHALL "a
In pursuance of the directions given In Bl
is dispatch, the remains will be for pa
arded to-day, at Eve minutes past ! in
clock, from the Louisville depot. The al,
and acquaintances of the deceased ch
Q invited TO accompany the cortege from m,
Olst's, on Main street. The procession he
I'D o at IL O'Clock precisely. Car M
,ges will be in waiting at Holst's, WI