Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-04-02
THE COE.BEACH HOMICIDE.


Death Of Mr.. m. n. Beaeb-MF. Levin
n. COa Hurronders Himself 10 the
Authorftfea-The Result OF the
Inquest, Etc.
On yesterday Mr.. N. N. Beach, sew
ing machine agent, who was shot by Mr..
Levin h. Coe, on Friday evening, during
a personal difficulty which took place on
North Court street, died of his woand.
Previous to his death he made a state
ment Of the affair, but it was not q " dy-
ing declaration" because up to within
half an hour before death he expressed
his belief that he would recover, or pull
through, be feeling hopeful as to his
condition, although his attending physi-
ciau, DR.. Mitchell, had given up all hope.
BE stated in brief that Mr.. Coe, on FRI
day night, attacked him With a cane, in
front Of hiS (Bsach's) Office, on North
Court street, and that he Beach took
the cane from him and beat him (Coe) to
his knees, when an unknown nan came
up aud attacked him. While turning
bis attention to this other man be re.
ceived a shot, as be believed from Mr.
Coe.
Magistrate Qdigley, deputy coroner,
held an inquest upon the body OF the
deceased later in the day, and by request
attorneys representing both sides we're
present. After hearing the evidence
the jury Of inquest returned a verdict
that the deceased came to his death
from q pistol shot, it is supposed, at the
hands Of Levin H. Cos."
Upon learning that Mr.. Beach had
died, Mr.. Coe, who has been confined to
his bed ever since the lamentable ARRAY,
from wounds received at the hands o!
Mr.. Beach, repaired to the Office Of. the
chief OF police and surrendered himself
formally.
In the Appeal Of yesterday appeared
what %purported to be a copy Of the letter
sent ts Mrs. Coe from the sewing ma.
chine Office, which letter was see by
Nc. Coe and which letter developed what
had been said by Mr.. Beach to Mrs. Coe
when that lady visited the sewing ma.
chine Office. The letter as published in
the Appeal is as follows:
MEKPms, March q, 1877.
Mrs. L. II. Coe;
We have put a second hand topper into
your machise, and return it TO you free
of charge. When Mr.. Hutchinson learned
the facts in the case, he would not allow
the machine to be repaired here, unless
you are willing TO have it thoroughly and
properly done, for be would not have ul
ruu the risk of again falling under youI
displeasure.
Very respectfully,
MRS. T. A. BARBOUR.
Unfortunately the letter received BY
Mrs. Coe, in the 9Th and 7th lines, rest
as follows: " For he uould haze us run
the risk Of again falling under youI
displeasure." The word not" which
so changes the meaning, was inserted il
the copying bsok with a lead pencil sub
sequently to sending the letter, ans
which change was admitted by one Of thu
sewing machine company officials, ht
saying that the word moi" ought t
have been in the original note and thai
the failure to insert it was an error.
LATER.
To-day Mr.. Coe was placed in thl
hands of Sheriff Anderson to await 81
examination, which was to have takel
place this afternoon before Recorder
Daft on a warrant sworn out before that
official. The grand jury. however, this
forenoon was acting on a bill Of indict
ment sent before that body, aud il a true
bill was foundit will avoid the necessity
Of holding any preliminary investigation
before the recorder. The question viii
then come up before the judge Of the
Criminal Court on a motion to fix the
bail Of the defendant.
The remains Of the late Mr.. Beacl
were this forenoon taken charge of By
Hoist & Bro, undertskers, to await
dispatch from Indiana from the relatives
Of the deceased as TO the disposition o
the remains, which will in due time b,
sent to that State for interment.