Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-10-02
THE END OF THE DIFFICULTY.
Death or Mr.. Frank Wait nj the
Peabody This M0rnInR.

putuci uuuct Tue tIuuCuCo VI MuiCu MI
Wait had been since be was shot, had
worn away, aud almost Immediately Uio-
lent pains in the bowels occurred. This
was q most dangerous symptom, because
it indicated that Inflammation had set
in, owing to the wouuding Of some Of the
bowels or intestines. From inaamma-
ton OF the bowels to modification is
but a step, and Mr.. Waits condition
became alarming, and grew worse as the
day wore away. Sickness Of the stom.
Ach followed, and dark, clOtted matter
was elected from the stomach, Mr.. Wait
was informed that his condition was
critical and but little chance Of recovery
existed. He seemed to think that he
could pull through, and was cheerful and
hopeful up 10 a late hour last night. At
two o'clock this morning be was in q
dying condition, and was conscious of
the fact. Ee held a private conversation
with his wife and children, and breatbed
bis last almost without a struggle.
CONFLICTING OPINIONS.
Throughout the city there are a variety
Of opinions expressed concerning the
difficulty and its termination. All citi-
zens agree in deploring the affair, and
regretting it for the sake Of both parties.
Mr.. Wait had a host Of friends in the
city, and had performed many a gener-
GUS and kind act toward the poor. he
was regarded as a bresker-down of
~monopolies in the coal and ice business,
and had kept prices down considerably.
This fact Of itself made him popular
with the masses, aud he was regarded as
the poor mans friend. No one excuses
his coarse abuse Of Mr.. Woodbridge and
family, and apologies are freely offered
Tor his d%eDunciatory aud vulgar style Of
general conversation, and his somewhat
overbearing and bullying department,
especially when in liquor. He was a
rough man in every respect, but had a
heart full of good, generous impulses,
which would have made him a ~favorite
with all classes bad his early education
and course Of life been what it ought 10
have been. With all his faults, and they
we're many, Frank Wait was an indus
trious, energetic and useful citizen, one
who will be missed in the future. May
be rest in peacel
Mr.. Alexander Woodbridge, who sboI
and killed Mr.. Wait, is equally vel
known in Memphis. He is recognized
for his quiet, reticent and gentlemanly
demeanor, a man not easily aroused
and not easily sppeased. Polite and affa
BILE, yet he will brook noinsult, come from
whence it may. The Shaping Of his face
and the terrible denuuciation of himself
and family by Mr.. Wait, and his refusa,
to sign a politely couched note Of retrse.
ton and apology, we're, to bis mind, suf
fcient causes to bring about a persona
difficulty and resort to deadly weapons
Mr.. Wait being a large, powerful man
and excited by drink, thought he could
slap and cuff a small man like Mr.. Wool
bridge with impunity, and could denounce
him and his family at will. This was q
fearful mistake on his part, and those
who knew Mr.. Woodbridge wen knew thai
such a thing could not be done by any
person on earth. Mr.. Woodbridge stands
as we'll as any man in this community.
and no n regrets the unfortunate &C.
currence more than he. Now tina. the
difficulty has terminated fatally, the
friends of Nj, Woodbridge state that he
will be forthcoming to answer at the bar
of justice for the act committed by him.
Mr.. Wait and Mr.. Woodbridge, it is
stated, were not personally acquainted
previous to the difficulty at Estiyal Park
H INQUEST II DAY.
Coroner Caldwell being notified of the
death of Mr.. Wait, summoned a jury and
held an inquest at the Peabody Hotel on
the body Of the deceased. Henry Chiles,
A. j, Murray, assistant city engineer,
and j. M. Shaw testified to the fact that
they saw ]. A. Woodbridge shoot said
Wait. Mr.. Shaw testified that be saw
but one shot fred, A posi- morton ex.
animation was made by Drs. J. II. Nut.
tall, J. II. Erskine and Paul 0tey, who
found that the first ball struck against
the rib and stopped there. The second
shot penetrated the abdominal cavity and
cut an intestine. This wound produced
death. The corsner's jury returned a
verdict THAT said Frank Wait came to
his death from the following causes:
from a pistol shot wound; said shoot
ing occurred on Sunday, September S0th,
about noon, in front Of the Peabody
Hotel, by the hand of Alexander Wool
bridge"
The coroner's jury was composed Of
the following named gentlemen: James
A. Swain, E. G. Barnaby, l. McGshee,
Eugene G. Jones, Josiah Dixon, q. B.
Moore, ]. E. Ballard.
TO BE SURRENDERED TOMORROW.
1t has been arranged that Mr.. Wool.
bridge will surrender himself to the
sheriff on to morrow morning, TO answer
whatever charge may be brought against
him. He would have surrendered him
self to-day, but his friends advised q