The New York herald., 1879-03-05
THE RICHMOND TRAGEDY.

INVESTIGATING THE CURTIS MURDER-MIss
CorTRELL SAYS CURTIS OFFENDED HER
WHILE TRYING ON SOME NEW sHoRs-wHAT
PoINDExTER SHOT HIM FOR.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
RICHMOND Va. March 4. 1870.
The tragedy of yesterday. which resulted in the
untmely death Of so estimable youth as Curtis.
continues to be the subject Of the deepest
interest. 1t might be said that among
large portion of the community the killing
arouses degree of indignation rarely ever
experienced here before under circumstances of
like nature. Mr.. Curtis insensible from the
time Of the shooting. He never rallied
CorrRELL BEFORE THE CORONER.
An inquest was held this evening at which. much
to the surprise Of everybody. the young lady to
whom the alleged insult offered. was introduced
the first witness by the counsel for Mr.. Poin-
dexter. Her testimony was. in effect. the same rs
that related to the HERALD correspondent yesterday
except that few more aggravating circumstances
drawn out. intending to show greater provoca-
ton for the attack on Curtis. She came before the
jury. accompanied by her brother. dressed in deep
mourning and closely veed. She deeply af-
fected. and at first her words almost inaudibe,
her voice being tremulous the evident effect Of great
nervous excitement She soon became self-possessed
and answered promptly. In reply to the question
Isabella Cottre giving her place Of residence and
other unimportant particulars In the course Of
quaintance with Mr.. Curtis. that she had
seen him only three times and then ut
continued:-The first time saw him I think was six
weeks ago; went there to try on some shoes; he
brought the shoes to and insisted that Ishould try
them on while he held them; I begged
him to give them to me. but he persisted in holding
the shoes in his hands, at last succeeded in getting
the shoes from him and put them on myself; when
he stopped to button the shoes I begged he would
allow me to do it myself.
Coroner-what next? A. He persisted in doing it
several times until at last allowed him to button
three buttons; he insisted buttoning it all the
way; begged that he wouldn't do it and found
some difficulty in preventing him; his conduct
was so exceedingly offensive 1 took the shoe
Off; when took up the shoe I had first taken of he
right at my foot and remained there until
had to change my position and turn my
back upon him to lace my shoe; I pur-
CuETIs' SECOND AND THIRD oFTENcEs.
On the second occasion Curtis insisted on my try
ing the shoes on in the store but told him pre-
ferred taking them home: the third time was on
last Friday; l.. took both pairs back; Mr.;
up the pair had been wearing and remarked in
rather an impertinent way. thought. what q
pretty little shoe certainly would like to put it
you; / don't how you can walk with
You valks" After considerable wranslng
about tho charge for pair OF heel plates, witness
continuing her evidence. sad:--wishing to avoid
any further conversation with him. told him to
wrap the shoes up; then ne turned 10 me ana aske4
| me how l wore my shoe heels of: he asked
to put my foot out and let him sec
it; told him would do nothing Of the kind; he
insisted and advanced toward thought. with the
determination to throw my dress aside or to make
me show him my foot.
Coroner-Did he actually attempt to do that? A.
No. SIR don't know what he might have done; I
turned Immediately to leave the store; was very
much provoked with such familiarity from stran-
GER and walked out of the store; ho followed me to
the phaeton he helped me in. and i'll doing so gave
my arm q severe grip.
These are the main points OF Miss Cottrells evil
dence. She was dismissed and conducted by her
brother from the room.
The investigation adjourned until tomorrow at
eleven o'clock. The funeral Of Mir. Curtis will take
place tomorrow ut two O'clock and it Is expected
that there will be large turnout Of sympathizing
friends.