Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-06
The Richmond Tragedy.


CURTIs-soME ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
RICHMOND, March 5.-The corOner'S inquest in
the case Of the Curtis homicide was concluded
dict that the deceased came 10 his death at the
hands OF John E. POindexter, in personal en-
counter with the latter, on March g. The
st. James's <EpiscopaD church, OF which de-
ceased was member. The church was crowded.
the attendance being the largest known at
aera Is se 1S e hee ir years Every available
sidewalks were blocked up by those anxious to
gain admission. Hundreds were unable TO get
H.. The following additional particulars Of The
melancholy affair were developed at the in
quest:
CURTIS STATEMENT.
Young Curtis, after being assaulted by Poin-
dexter, called on a friend, F. II. Mcguire, for
advice and made statement Of the affair, to
which the latter testified at the examination on
Tuesday Tue; He said the young lady, Miss Cot
called on Friday last to return pair OF shoes
gotten before, and which she did not like, and
10 get In exchange pair that she had ordered
remarked, ~ cannot see how you can wear
such little SHOE" or '.such a SHOE" Curtis
said the heel was nearly In the middle OF the
so TO aa ssd to
very customary in his business. to satisfy
whether there was good lit. She declined TO
put them On, and he walked with her out to the
ph9ton to help her in. He stated that her
friend was sitting In the phRtOn on the side
next to the pavement, and that In getting in the
lady had to step rather across her feet, and in
doing so trtpped, and he then frightened his
grasp upon her arm In order to catch her. That
Curtis said, was the cause OF the assault.
THE LADY'S STATEMENT.
MISS CottreI, the young lady who was the In
examination on Tuesday dressed In deep mourn
ing, accompanied by her brother, and gave her
evidence promptly and clearly It Is summed
SIX weeks ago, when she went into Wingo. Ell.
lett & Crurnp's shoe store to try On some Shoes
curtis insisted on her trying on the shoes while
At last she succeeded in getting the shoes and
put them on. lie then insisted on buttoniDg
the shoes. and she allowed him to button three
venting him from butIoning them ali the way.
When she took up the shoe first taken OF curtis
insisted on lactng it, abd stopped down at her
feet and remained there until she changed her
position. She then left the store. having pur-
CHASED pair OF shoes. Afterwards Mr.. Criiinp,
shoes from M %hch her M III Of
suit her, and she went to the store to exch lnge
them, when Curtis again insisted On trying a
pair on her, which She declined to allow, and
took the shoes home with her. Last Friday she
again visited the store for the purpose OF leav-
ing one pair Of shoes and to have the heels OF
another pair plated, leaving a lady friend In
and remarked, "What a pretty little shoe: ]
certainly would like to put it On YOU; don't
gee now you walk ON such feet" This pro-
would Obltge her by not commenting on her
loot. She then left pair of shoes to be-plated
left the store for ten minutes, and then returned
for them. After complaining that the plates
were old ones, she ordered the shoes TO be
wrapped up, when Curtis asked her how she
wore her shoe heels OF, and then told her to
put her foot out and let him see It, Declining to
90 this, Curtis advanced towards her, as She
thought with the determination to throw her
dress aside TO make her show him her foot,
At this point the coroner asked: 'sDtd he ac-
tually attempt to do that?"
Miss Cottrell.-"No, sir; but don't know
what he might have done. / turned immedi-
ately to leave the store"
The witness then stated that curtis opened
conversation in regard to different germans,
soclables, styles OF dresses, &C., although she
had never been introduced to him. After reach
ing the pavement Curtis told her she had not
lett the right change being seventy-five ceats
short, but on going back to correct it he laughed
and said 1t was all right. This from stranger,
provoked her very much. Curtis followed her
10 the ph;etOn, and in helping her In gave her
arm q very severe grip. She then declared to
her friend that she would never go into the store
again while Curtis was employed there; that she
considered him not only very unrehned, but de-
cidedly insulting Witness detailed how she
communicated the matter to Mr.. PoindeXter,
who said he would hOrSewhip Curtis, bur she
did not suppose he would do 1t.
Tr1p EYraN 1,ror