The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-22


yesterday afternoon, ut the announce
ment that Capt. John D. Caldwell-a
young man, well-known and universally
admired-had been murdered. An i'm
menso crowd Immediately gathered in
and around the Pollock House, where
the bloody deed had been perpetrated.
The body Of tho murdered man lay on
the floor Of the dining room-blood
issuing from his mouth, and also from O
wound i'll his breast. It was found,
upon Investigation, that the yonng man
had como to his death in attempting to
put an end to an encounter between
Judge S. W. Melton and G. W. Mont.
gomery, Esq. president pro tenn. of the
Sennte,l The ball entered the breast,
passed through the right side of the
heart, and lodged near tho back bone.
Death was almost instantaneous. A
second shot wounded Maj. J. M. Morgan
in the right shoulder ball passing
nearly through. He was. after a short
detention at the guarl house, conveyed
to tho residence of Judge Melton, where
his wound was dressed by DR.. Taylor.
Mr.. Caldwell was native OF Colum-
bin, about thirty-one years of age. and
served gallantly through the late war
He was IL son OF the late John CALDWELL
Esq, and brother-in-law of Senator
Robertson. Mr. Caldwell leaves n wife,
two children, mother, sisters. brother.
and host OF other relatives, besides o
number of devoted fr;onds, TO lament his
untimely end. He was honest aud gene
rous to fault. Poor John! His sud
den and ill-futcd demise is deeply de-
plored by the entire community. He
was universally known, and was highly
esteemed by oil clnsses-rich and poor,
white and colorcl. All who know him
in life admired him for his many good
qualities of head and heart. He was ac-
complished, charitable and sociable.
His companions will perceive void in
their social circle that cannot readily be
filed. This sad event has cast gloom
over our entire city, and feeling of
sympathy for the family of the deceased
pervades every heart. Requiescat in pacei
The funeral services will be held this af-
ternoon, ut o'clock.
Judge Melton was arrested, but was
subsequently released; Messrs. Mont.
gomery and Topper were lodged in Jail.
Coroner Coleman summoned jury,
and commenced an investigation into
the case. Only two witnesses testified
yesterday, when the jury of inquest was
adjourned until this morning, at 10
o'clock, when a number of other wit
nesses will be examined. The room
in which the murder was committed pre-
sented horrible appearance-table par
TALLY upset; the contents of vinegar and
catsup bottles saturating the cloth; pools
of blood upon the floor; bloody nap
kins. etc. A pistol (supposed to be the
one from which the fatal shot was fired)
was picked up by Mr.. Gilmore. and was
afterwards turned over to the Coroner.
The following is list of the jury: John
Agnew, Jr., Foreman; W. Williams, G.
D. Lowndes, M. F.. Nixon, Jacob P.
Mock, W. G. Beck, G. w. Davis, J. F.
Gadsden, q. Champion, r. Richardson,
Joseph Taylor. Daniel Idea. Trezevant
Sill, w. r. Wilkins. The testimony ad-
duced is as follows:
Franklin II. Gilmore. Esq, testified:
About 4 o'clock, this afternoon, Mr..
Fielding and Mr.. Taylor, at my invita-
tion, came to Pollock's saloon. to dine
Entering, We met Messrs. @. W. Mont.
gomery and George Upper; accepted an
invitation from the former to drink.
Whilst awaiting the return of the waiter,
the door was opened from the main sa-
loon, by Judge Melton, who looked in,
closed the door, and almost Immediately
re, opened it, and advanced into the room
to where Mr.. Montgomery wac seated,
at the South end of the table. He Mel
tony threw his arm around Montgomery's
neck, and commenced beating him in the
face. Immediately following Judge Mel
ton were Major James M. Morgan and
Captain John D. Caldwell; could not say
which of tho two was in the advance.
Firing Immediately commenced, but he