The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-02-12

| THE HISTORY OF a CrLtbhAltD tASE--
REVIEW OF THE CUpTIs H0MrCTDE-PRT-
SON LIFE OF PoINDExTER-EFFoRTs FOR
NEW TRIAL AND FOR PARDON OR COM
MUTATION-THE MARRIAGE QUIET AZ
FAIR: BUT A FEW PERSONS PRESENT
FoRTITUpE OF THE BRIDE; HER GRAFT.
TUDE TO SERGEANT LEE-PARTlCULARs
EOF THE EAFFAIR-PERSONAL. &C.
On Tuesday night Mr.. John Z. Poindex-
ter and Miss Isabel Cottrell were married
at the residence of Mr.. John Alyis, on the
western suburbs of the city. The event
adds another chapter OF pathetic interest to
the history Of a case which has become one
OF the N ost celebrated in our annals. For
remarks about Miss COttrelt. which she
thought insulting, Mr.. Pondexter horse
whipped Mr.. Charles G.. Curtis, and two
hours afterwards Mr. Curtis. smarting un-
der the blows, attacked Mr.. Poindexter
with walking-stck, and was killed by him.
Mr.. Poindexter was born 10 Richmond,
and when this trouble came upon him bad
Just passed his twenty-ninth birthday. lie
had been employed for six years as book
keeper ut the tobacco factory Of John h.
Chlldrey Il Co. Mr.. Curtis was native Of
Gloucester county, but had been resident
he met PoindeXter he was twenty-five years
Of age, and was engaged as salesman at the
shoestOrc Of WingO, Elicit & Crump, north
east corner OF Main and Tenth streets.
THE BEGINNING.
On Sunday morning, March ,, 1879, Mr..
PoindeXter got into his buggy and drove to
the residence of Mr.. John Alvis, near the
new reservoir, where Miss Isabel COttrell,
| 49, lftFin Mr-
Alvis, her sister. He sent word to her by
the servant who came to the door that he
was going TO his farm (near Bosher's dam.
in the upper end OF Henrico county, and
il she wished he would take her to see her
brother, who lived in that neighborhood.
The invitation was accepted.
They drove first to Mr.. PolndeXterS
farm, but halted there only few minutes.
Then they went straight on to Mr.. CottrelPs.
II was the Sunday memorable in Virginia
legislation, when the RCadiuSters were fill
clustering, and when the House OF Dele
gates was in session. and being doorkeeper
for that body, Mr.. Cottrel was in Rich
mond. His wife was also absent from home.
Mr.. Poindextcr and Miss COttrell, there
fore, turned back TO Richmond, reaching
Mr.. Alvi,'s about 2 =. VI. Mr.. POindeXter
took dinner ana tea with the young lady,
and left about IL O'Clock.
MISS COTTRELL's COJPLAINT AGAINST Mr..
CURTIS.
Partly on the drive and partly in the par
lOr Miss COttrell communicated to Mr.. Pom
dexter that on three occasions she had had
business at the store OF Wingo, Elicit q
Crump: that twice Mr.. Curtis had m,nlted
her with remarks about her feet; and that
on the last visit to the store FRIDAY, 2Sth
February he had not only used very OBJ
noXious language to her. but in helping her
into the phaeton had squeezed her arm III an
ungentlemanIy manner.
Mr.. PoindeXt l. became vtry much IN
censed against Mr.. Curtis, and declared That
he would horsewhip him. He asked Miss
Ccttrell for some deScrpto OF Mr.. Curtis,
which she gave, but without once thinking,
she saws, that he would execute lis threat.
Mr.. PoindeXtcr reached home somewhere
about 70 O'Clock Sunday night. He told his
: brother Thou as OF Miss Cottrell's statement
about Sir. Curtis, and it was arranged that
in the morning John would 20 to the shoe
store and hOrsewhip Mr.. Curtis, and Mr..
Thomas PoindeXter would accompany him
to sec that none OF Mr.. Curts's friends un-
fairly interfcred.
THE HORSEWHIPPING,
About Q O'Clock Monday, March Sd. they
went to the shoestOre, aGd Mr.. PoindeXler
: laid some six or eight blows with whip
: upon Mr.. Curtis's shoulders. Mr.. Curtis
made no resistance. He seems TO have been
completely dazed by the unexpected at
tack: but he denied that he had ever in
suited any lady, and said il he had done so
IN Willingly he would apologize. He shook
hands with Mr.. John +. POindeXter as he
and his brother left the store.
After the departure OF the Messrs. POin-
dexter the consciousness OF the immensely
of the indignity put upon him seems to
have taken control of Mr.. Curtis's mind.
: He sought his young friends, Messrs. Me-
Guire and Elicit, for counsel. After an in
teryiew with them (and returning 10 the
store to say that he would be absent for
some time) he started for the factory TO de.
mand an apology OF Mr.. POlndeXter. and
C in the event that was refused to cane him.
= Mr.. Mcclure went with him as his friend.
: The Office of the tobacco-iactory is at the
= northwest corner OF Main and Twenty
e fourth streets. 1t is divided by partition,
= into three small apartments front, an
inner. and private or back office. The
two partitions rise about six feet from the
y floor, and do not reach the ceiling. Fol
. : about four feet OF their height they are
q of framework, and that is crowned by light
n wire screen-work OF about two feet IN
= height. Mr.. PoindeXter was in the inner
y office, but could be seen Through The
: cashiers window in the partitlOn) from The
i front office.
a CURTIS SHOT.
!. Curtis and McGuire having entered tht
Y front office from Main street, Curtis wen
{ up TO that window and asked PoindeXtel
for an apology. 1t was refused. Mr.. Nc
GuiIe told Curtis to 60 into the room where
PoindeXter was. He did so, entering by
: tbe door which is to the left OF the window
u PoindeXter saw the cane In Curtis's hand
y and warned him that il he was struck h'
: would shoot. Curtis said: 81 am un
. armed" and looked inqulringly at Mcclure
I, The latter encouraged him to attack. Curtis
= then advanced upon PoindeXter and The
: striking and firing commenced. PolndeX
: ter fred five or six times. Curtis, having
! been struck in the forehead by the last shot
fell. PondeXter exclaimed: 81 didn't
want to kill the man; for Gods sake dc
something for him !" 4 little later POin
7 dexter was arrested and taken to the tirsl
! station.house. Curtis was found to have
I five wounds. He was removed from the
: factory office to the residence OF his brother
in-law, Mr.. j. W. Cringan, northwest cor
ner of Fourth and Franklin streets, where
: he fingered in unconsclousness until ll:2'
Z. NJ, when he died.
, CURTIs's BURIAL-THE TRIALS.
Mr.. Curtis was buried at Shockoc GENE
/ terry Wednesday afternoon, March 5th, bu
I his remains have since been removed Il
| HOLLYWOOD, and handsome monument o
rha aNrafI n m