The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-29
VOL. XLvI.--N0. 20.
SHOT AFTER A C0WIIlDlNG.
THE STORY THAT PROVOKED A JEIL-
Gus LOVER 10 TENGEINCE

Foot-n oraewhip vcrsu. the Hevolvcr-'rhe
jury SIN Out amer Thirty-.Ix Hours
RICHMOND, Va, March 2s.-Thc trial uf
John PoindeNter for the murder Of Charles c.
Curtis has been the absorbing sensation of the
city for n number Of days past. As there is
woman in the case. the sympathy OF the public
seems to be- guilty or unguilty. with the pris-
onor. the self-appontcd avonGer Of woman's
wrongs. Tho jury. after thirty-six hours de-
liberation. is still out.
Charles c. Curtis n clerk in the shoe store Of
Wingo. Elicit 4 Crump. was shot on the morn
ing OF the 81 inst. by John Poindoxtcr. a clerk
at II. +. Coudrey's tobacco factory. Curtis died
within eight hours nfter the shooting. About
two hours before Curtis was shot. Poindcxter
called at ~ shoe store and asked for Curtis
and. upon meeting him. accused him Of having
insulted lady few DAYS previously. Curtis
il said 10 have answered that IL ho had done SO
the act was unintentional. and no asked
pardon. Poindcxter then drew a horsewhip
and struck Curtis several blows. Two hours
later Curtis. with friend went to the tobacco
factory where Poindexter is employed and de-
manded an apology from Poindexter. The
apology was refused. and after n slight hesita-
tion. Curtis struck Poindextor although the
latter warned him that he was armed. Poin-
dexter drew his revolver and fired six shots
fell to the floor bleeding and unconscious
and died in the evening. These were
substantially the circumstances. IA testified to
at the inquest. As the time for trial approached
the public interest in the result warmed up to
fever heat. all kinds Of rumors being aioat as
to the nature Of the insult to the young lady
said to have boon avenged by Poindexter.
The prisoner was defended by able lawyers
and the prosecution was conducted with
the greatest vigor the authorities being
resolved to save Virginia from the reputation
Of being a State in which human life may be
taken recklessly and with n prospect OF i'm
munity
FIJI. Mcclure. who accompanied Curtis to the
tobacco factory in which the tragedy occurred.
testified that Curtis went into the outer Office OF
John X. Childreys factory. he tMcGuirel in
front. MCGUIRE went up to Capt. Lyon and
asked for Poindexter. and before he could get
any reply. he perceived that Curtis had seen
PoindeXter through small cashiers win
dow about tho height OF mans breast.
in the partition between the outer office
and the office Poindexter was in. Curtis walked
up and said. " want an apology for your ac-
tion this morning." TO which Poindexter re-
piled. You can't get one" Mcclure then said.
You must get in there" meaning the inner
ONCE, and at tho word Curtis passed Capt. Lyon
passed into the inner office. he (McGuirel stop
ping ahont a foot or two inside the door.
PoindeNter had been sitting or standing in front
of high desk. running, the whole length Of
the partition through the window OF which
Curtis first saw PoindeX,er. and as Curtis en-
s SSnd SnS and held G IoS p E curtis qTGn nS
turned an inguirne look 70 McGuire. who said
" Beat him Bea, h m :" Thereupon Curtis al
yanced with raised stick. and simultaneously
a. IN m
tinued until Curtis fell Mcclure heard Poin-
dexter say nothing. and thinks Curtis struck
wlth'the small end Of the stick.
The stick exhibited was about three feet long
an inch and a half in dinmeter at the large end
and an irch atthe small end.nnd heavily knotted,
being hickory. The bark is badly splintered and
shattered for the space OF about a foot in the
seyen-shooter. with six chambers discharged.
PoindeXter. ii wns admitted. had retrented as
far as hs could. and had no means OF escape.
twice distinctly, II you hit me with that stick |
knock him In the head" He added that he
thought Curtis struck first, Capt. Lyon re-
ceiyed bail from the pistol through his sleeve.
Wilson. who was sitting in the outer office.
heard Poindexter say as Curtis entered his
office Stand back He. then went to the
Poindexter ana then the striking and shooting
followed. All who saw the ARRAY testified to
claimed. Good God. did not o want to xiii the
man" and that be helped to attend TO Curtis.
Miss Isabella Cottrell came into the court room
accompanied by Attorney General Fields. and
after being sworn was conducted to the witness
stand. When she entered the room there was n
general suppressed murmuring in the crowd.
She was thickly veiled. Miss Cottrell was at
tired in black. and q wide black satin rib
bon extended from the back OF the neck
~ the end OF the skirt She had on a
black Alpine hat looped on the left side. and at
taehed with gilded leaf agrette. and thick gold
were earrings Of Etruscan gold. Before her ex-
animation, Col. Young. her counsel. said that
b. plainly understood. There was some hest
fancy on her part. but after being
understand, the necessity, Of doing so.
she tremulously unpinned the dark veil.
Mss Cottre has a pretty face. without being
Southern ladies. She has soft. brown, hazel
eyes dark. long eyelashes. and well defined
eyebrows which give her an air OF meaL
cholY. Her features are small, but regular.
Her hair is Of light brown. and was combed
from her temples 10 the back Of her head. and
running in one thick coil down her back. She
bore her examination with remarkable self
possession. Her foot, which protruded slightly
below her dress, attracted the attention OF the
She was on the stand for nearly three hours.
ami when she arose to 70 out there was a gem
eral rush to the door by the spectators to get a
close view OF her. Mr.. Wise escorted her out Of
the court room and placed her in charge Of her
brother A. B. COttrell, doorkeeper Of the House
Of Delegates. who had carriage in waiting for
her.
During her cross-examination by Mr.. Geo. d.
Wise, .Commonweath's Attorney. she was
asked by that gentleman her age. Mr.. Wise
apologized 10 her for asking the question. and
said he was compelled 10 have It as matter Of
record. After a great effort she replied that she
was 25 years old 10 which Col. Young. her
counsel, remarked. soto voce just the right
age"
She testified think 1t was In last January.
the first time | ever saw Mr. Curtis. | had no
acquaintance with him. ] went in 10 purchase
pair Of shoes. wanted to try them on. and
took my seat Tor the purpose. He held W one
OF the shoes and told me 10 put my foot in it, |
refused, and he gave it to me. After | put
II on he wished 10 button 1t on. He
insisted / never did get the button
hook. but buttoned them on partially myself.
He insisted on buttoning them further up. |
then went 10 put on my old shoes. and he in
sisted on lacing them. and refused and turned
my back on him, This. however had
no effect on him. He stood and watched my
every movement. The second time was about
three weeks alterwqrd. Invent to change a pair
OF shoes. Again he insisted on fitting them
on. ! refused and left tho store, The
third time | went was to take back a pnlr
of shoes and get heel plates for another. He
hold up tbs shoes, and said: What pretty
little shoe You certainly have pretty .ttle foot
How do you walk in mr.. This WAS on Friday
before Feb 9s. said. You will oblige me By
not commenting on my foot. and asked him 10
return me the plates | had asked for. He
asked me back in the store. and showed mo
.NuNs N.NN L. 70 d.. l J. a