Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-05
END OF BIRSEy MARSHALL.
LamentabIe Death by Falling frem
Window.
Personal History of the Deceased.

an attache OF the LEDGER once anu
member Of the editorial staff. Saturday
morning the one who approaches the
bier, so to speak, to pay this poor tribute,
sat with him in the editorial room and
consulted his opinions ON the business
ofthe day. Col. Marshall was well in body
and mind. In the temporary absence of
the senior editor he occupied the chair
Friday and Saturday and faithfully dis
charged the duties Of the position. His
mind was as clear as noon day sunlight,
and he dashed off number of editorials
on different subjects and various para
graphs on minor topics with the rapidity
and ease of one in his accustomed place,
and in the pride Of manly, intellectual
strength. We noted his dispatch, his
clearness of perception and vigor of
memory. The last lines he penned
were an editorial at the head Of the edi-
torial page in reference TO the important
news received of Napoleon's surrender
to King William and the capitulation of
McMahon's army 1t was clear concise
and vigorous. In column it would be
difficult to say anything as appropriate,
even now. The almost prophetic words
he wrote in regard to the fall of Napo-
Icons hopes seem to have been, though
in a different sense, suddenly and terri
bly, realized in his own case. He was
found on the pavement at daylight yes
terday morning Not Birney Marshall,
indeed, but his shattered remains. The
genial spirit had fed to God, who gave
it. His generous heart was cold, and his
pulse will throb no more. An intellect
of no common stature has fallen. A
brilliant mind, well stored with the
worlds choicest knowledge, was sudden
ly, and without warning extinguished.
His death came when least expected,
and is involved in a mystery which no
human ken will ever precisely solve.
This is all we know Saturday at noon
he was well and full of hopeful life; in
the afternoon, and in the same evening,
he was met by his friends on the streets
and elsewhere as usual.
At eleven o'clock he stood en- the cor
ner of Third and Jefferson streets talk
ing to some young man as the people
came out from the theater, and he re-
cognized his acquaintance in his usual
prompt and graceful manner. 1t is re-
ported that he was seen in the st.
Charles eating-house as late as
two o'clock in the morning He
had room fronting the theater in the
second floor of the old Postoiiice build
ing. During the night some time he fell
from the window to the alley-way below.
When found yesterday morning by
officers Neil and Duffey it was apparent
that he was instantly killed by the fall
and that he had lain there several hours.
His head was severely bruised and his
arm broken, and his body otherwise
showed the effects of the fall. A pool Of
blood on the pavement attested the VIC
lence of his death. The body was taken
up and removed to Holst's and covered
with ice. A telegram was sent to Gen
Humphrey Marshall, of Kentucky, con
veying the sad news, and in the early
part of the day no further steps were
taken. Late in the day the following
dispatch was received
CovINeroS, KY, September 4. 1870.
Have the remains of j. B. Marshal
properly attended to, and forward them
to me at Frankfort, Ky, by express.
This was from his son.
PERSONAL HISTORY.
Col. Marshall was about sixty years o.
age. He belonged to the distinguished
Marshall family of Kentucky and Vir
ginia and inherited the full share Of
their genius, which was improved by q
thorough collegiate course and life Of
close application to study. He was
cousin of Tom Marshall and grandson
of Chief Justice Marshall His mater
nal relations were noted for their talent
as his mother was a sister to James G,
Birney, who once lived in Huntsville
Ala, and was a candidate for President
of the United States in 1874. j. Birney
Marshall, whose sad death we have just
announced, was a regular graduate
. When a boy, his mind was quick, sprightly
and retentive, and he graduated AT an
early age with the highest honors. He
commenced business in life at Louis
ville Ky, as clerk in one Of the courts
over which a relati On presided He wa:
soon transferred from this position &c
cashier in one of the Louisville banks
During the meantime Mr.. Marshall haC
been studious in his reading, and haC
displayed great literary taste, and sooF
connected himself with the press a
Louisville.
Many years ago he published the
Louisville City Gazette, and had
fourishing printing establishment, since
which time he has been regular con
tributor to the literature of the Soutl
snd West. After many years residence
in Louisville, and connection with tho
Times and other papers, be removed tC
Columbus, Ohio, and was connected witt
the Statesman while Sam Medary wa.
Governor of Kansas. He was next en-
ployed upon the Cincinnati Enquirer as
one of its editors. Mr.. Marshall removed
to New Orleans in 1856, where he was
prominent in literary circles, and the
companion ana associate Of such men al
/ S. S. Prentiss and Pierre Souiei am
upon the memorable visit of Henry Clay
10 New Orleans, J. B. Marshall was the
first person iha great statesman of Ash
~ A4os.1 hell WA