The New York herald., 1879-03-04
A VIRGINIA TRAGEDY.
| FATAL END OF MEETING BETWEEN TWO YOUNG
GENTLEMEN OF RICHMOND.


GENTLEMAN OF RICHMOND.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD1
RICHMOND March 3. 1879.
About nine o'clock this morning the vicinity of
the fashionable shoe store of Messrs wngo, Elicit
4 Crump. corner of Tenth and Main streets. was
thrown into q commoton by horse whipping affair.
which took place within the store. and which
couple of hours later resulted in bloody
tragedy at the tobacco factory OF J. X.
Coudrey. corner of Twenty-fourth and Main
streets. The parties to the roncontre, Mr..
John L. Poindexter and Mr.. Charles c. Curtis.
both young men of high social standing. and when.
at eleven o'clock. of them. Mr. Curtis. had been
shot down with four pistol balls in his body the
greatest excitement ensued.
few moments after nine o'clock Mr. John Poin-
dexter. accompanied by his brother, walked into the
shoe store and approaching Mr.. $. V. Carleton. a
salesman asked. ''ls this Mr.. Curtis?' Mr.. Carleton
that gentleman who WAS behind the counter on the
opposite side Pondexter turned, went over to Curtis
and said. "You insulted young lady on Saturday.
Curtis replied, II not aware of it. sir. and If
did ask her pardon" Poindexter them before
horsewhip and began striking Curtis the face
and the shoulders. the latter being still
behind the counter. He administered probably
dozen severe blows.
About eleven o'clock Curtis and friend
tcred the office OF the establishment where Poin-
dexter seated ut his desk. They went up to an
opening over Pondexters desk. and Curtis demanded
apology for the injury he had done him this morn
ing Poindexter replied. II have apology to make
you sir" Curtis seemed to hesitate but in q mo-
ment with his friend, he pushed his way around
and beside the counter, advancing Poin-
dexter, who turned his back to his desk
and his face to his visitors Again Curtis seemed to
wavcr. but his friend demanded What did you come
here for Knock him down. Kill him. Curtis
then advanced upon him and pondexter said. Don't
you strike me. armed: IL you do l will kill
you" Poindexter had drawn his pistol. retreat
ing toward the back part of the Office. Curtis fol-
lowed until he close enough to strike Poindexter
a heavy blow his raised left arm. He had struck
somo three four blows when Poindexter, with
his still raised warding off the blows. began
firing The frst shot took effect in the right breast,
just below the nipple the next two in the loft breast
In the region of the heart and the fourth III the fore
head just the left eyebrow The latter is said
to have penetrated the BRAIN .Curtis fell at the feet
OF his comhatant, the blood pouring i'll such q
Office i'll few moments Six shots fired in all.
of the balls passing through the coat sleeve OF
Captain A. NJ Lyon, one of the members of the firm.
who had witnessed the entire tragedy.
IT DID NOT WANT 20 KILL HIM.
pondeXter. when he saw the body of Curtis welter
ing in his blood, threw up his hands and exclaimed,
my God. do someting for this man! I did not
want to kill him. Send for doctor; do something
for himl"
Strange to say the young man SO terribly wounded
did not die instantly, but fingered till half-past
O'Clock tonight, when he breathed his last.
Several physicians rendered all the aid they could
where ne lay till his death. parayzed and uncon-
scious, surrounded by devoted and sorrowing
friends, but whose attentions powcress to
avert death.