The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-04
Curtis Expires u Little Before Mid.
~ - might. -@'#


the result OF youthful rashness and indiscre-
tion in avepging fancled wrong. and, on
the other hand, OF acting perhaps under
unfortunate advice and indiscreet counsel.
The sad affair which has suddenly plunged
one family into deepest grief at The loss
OF one OF its beloved members, and another
into the most painful anxiety consequent
upon the commission OF deed which must
be the subject OF judicial investigation and
perhaps longcontinued trial, is. as near as
we could learn, as follows: ~
CURTIS HoRsRwHIPPED. ~, :.
About bah-past 8 O'Clock yesterday morn
ing Mr.. John e. PoindeXtcr, in company
with his brother Thomas, entered the store
OF Messrs. Wingo, Elicit 81 Crump. and
asked to see Mr.. Curtis, who was clerk in
that establishment. Mr.. V. S. Carlton, who
was first addressed, pointed out Curtis, who
was standing behind the counter. Poin-
dexter advanced, and accusing Curtis OF
having insulted lady who had come into
the store on last Friday, drew horsewhip
and began cbastising him, cutting him once
severely across the face and several times
over the shoulders. MIR. Carlton interposed
and prevented any further difficulty, saying
that be could not allow anything Of the
kind in the store. Curtis dISciaimed having
Intentionally insulted the lady, and ex-
pressed his willingness 10 apologize il the
lady considered herself aggrieved by any
conduct OF his. Poindexter said that he
could make no apology that would suffice,
and that he (Curtis) should never speak to
| her again. Curtis protested that he had not
Willingly offered the slightest insult to the
lady, and il his actions had been so con-
strued, would willingly make any apology.
Some accounts, however unreasonable it
may seem, state that the two young men
then shook hands, and the Poindexter
brothers left the store, Curtis remarking
that he would write him note. It was
thought by some that the affair had ended
here. Others say that Curtis extended his
hand, which PoindeXter refused to accept.
! COUNSEL OF A FRIEND.
As soon as he could leave the store, Cur
tis. who had become more and more aroused
to the sense of the indignity to which he
deemed he had been Enjustly subjected,
went to look for friend and adviser. He
repaired to the office OF Mr.. T. II. Mcclure,
where he found that gentleman.
CURTIs's STATEMENT
to Mcclure was that while in bis place Of
business two men named PoindeXter called
and asked il he was Mr.. Curtis. He re-
piled Yes; that is my name," when one
drew q whip and commenced beating him
for an alleged insult to lady; that after
few strokes some one interfered, and they
were separated. He had asked for an en-
planatlon as TO what occasion was referred
| 10, and what lady he had insulted. The
party referred to particular case. MIR. Cur
It's said he recalled the occasion and remcm-
bercd the lady. but positively denied any
action or word that could be construed into
an insult. He had come to Mr.. Mcclure,
therefore, to know what he should do.
FATAL STEP.
! He was advised to seek his assailant and
demand an immediate and full apology and
explanation. and If not given forthwith to
beat blm. Dir. Mcguire then told him if
be wished a friend to 60 with him he would
see fair play. They walked together down
towards PoindeXter's place OF business,
Curtis providing himself with stick.
THE sASGU1NARY ENCOUNTER.
Reaching the office Of Mr. Poindexter, at
John X. ChiIdrey Il Co.'s factory, situated
at the corner OF Twenty-fourth and Main
streets, and walking in, Curtis inquired for
PoindeNter, and, seeing him behind the
desk, demanded an apology, which being
refused be Immediately walked around ii.
Poindexter, drawing pistol as Curtis af-
vanced, told him that If he struck him he
would shoot him. Curtis said he was not
armed, and advancing struck him, and con-
tinued to strike, Poindexter firing until
Curtis fell mortally wounded, with four pls-
tol.balls in his body, any one of which
might have been fatal. ..t..-
n1a CAPTAIN Lyons STATEMENT. r..
We visited Captain A.. NJ. Lyon part
mel Of Mr.. Childrey, and asked il he would
give statement OF what had occurred.
Said be: #'''.'s'- ." - .'. -
John Poindexter) told me Of the affair
at Wngo, Elicit & Crumps. was seated
in my chair reading my paper when Mr..
Mcclure, in company ; with a gentleman,
came into my Office. Thought at first that
the gentleman who was with Mr.. Mcclure
was a LAWYER, as our house has had business
with him (McGuire). I<waited, expecting
the parties TO make known their business,
but thev passed me. Mr.. Curtis then SAID
|somethng to Mr.. Poindexter, in which, /
thought distinguished the word "poicy."
Poiudexter said: .-."..,,. :.
"Sir, l have no apology, to make to YOU"
Curtis walked behind The counter and ad-
yanced on PoindeXter with stick uplifted.
PoindeXter. retreating towards the window
with his left band raised so as to avoid the
blows, and his right drawing his pistol,
said: r..
"Don't you strike me, am armed; II
you do III kill YOU"
Curtis hesisatcd and Mcclure egged him
on, saying: ..'
~i.What did you come down here for p
strike him; knock him down."
Curtis struck, and as he did so PoindeX-
ter began firing, with bis left arm still up
raised, avoiding the blows. The last shot
struck Curtis in the forehead, and he fell at
the feet of PoindeXter.s
js" @,; i THE WOUNDED MAN I! s.-
was promptly cared for, medical aid at once
summoned, and Drs. Crenshaw, Tompkins,
and Tabb were soon ut his side, doing all
that human skill could to relieve him.
Young PoindeXter expressed the greatest
/ sorrow for what he had done, and was most
active In attending to the wants OF poor
Curtis, bathing bis face, and personally su-
|perintending directions for his relief:
The city ambulance was summoned about
/ 1 O'Clock, end Curtis conveyed to the house
OF his .brother-in-law, Mr. John w. Grim
j gan. corner of Fourth and Franklin streets,
but mo hopes Of his recovery were enter tsl-
tanned. .s,sss! 80. Il,
poipdexter surrendered himself at the
i First nolice.station, where he was taken in
charge, ,by the officers Dir, j John B. 0ung
,Iwas at once employ ed as counsel, and Poin-
, dexter will be- examined before Police
IJustice White this morning. '32szsa y
s'---s-.:e.e1,ts THE SHOTS. r
Five or six shots were fired, four taking
!, rSnrf Of fhn ph pat.