The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-06-05
THE MAs wHo KILLED POLLARD.
Death Flames Ras ell Grant, the Negro
hiuhrtI-His CheekeFed Career.

Death ofJames Ras ell Grant, the Negro
hiusIrtI-HIs Checke cred Career.
Philadelphia Pres.
The summer sun glistened on the cofEir
Of James Russell Grant last Friday In
Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, W., and
the rattle oil clods upon the I'D closed for
ever misspent life. Although several
stories OF his early life have been published
in the newspapers, the tale OF his marriage
and recent divorce in this city has never
been printed. James Russell Grant, or, as
he was better known in theatrical circles,
J. G. Russell, was the son OF one of the
wealthiest merchants in Virginia, and was
born fifteen years before the breaking out
Of the civil war. Money was lavished' up.
on young Grants education, but he grew
up areCkless young man in reckless CON.
i munity. The story OF his killing OF Pol
lard, the fre.eating editor OF the Richmond
Examiner, has bsen told and will be merely
mentioned here IN show what drove Grant
from his native place. An article was pub
lished in the Examiner rejecting upon the
character OF his sister, Miss Emily Grant.
James concealed himself in room in the
third story Of building opposite Pollard's
Office, with double. barreled gun, and as
the editor came up the street no was rid
died with hucllshOt, and died instantly.
Grant was tried, and it was testified by
eye witnesses that Pollard had two revolv-
ers and akniie concealed upon his person
when he was found in the street. The
trial was long and tedious, but Grant was
finally acquitted. Public feeling, however,
was divided upon the anbject, aud he was
never able 10 re- IN his soci, position.
He soon emIgrateu " Baltimore, aud as
he was possessed Of asuperb baritone voice
he soon secured position IN church
choir where his singing attracted much at.
tention. 1t Is alleged that upon one occa-
sion he was jDstled by the sexton while
descendinga flight oil steps in the church.
Words ensued, and the result was fierce
fight, in the course OF which the sexton re.
crIved injuries from which, il is said, he
afterwafd died. Grant next turned up in
San Francisco, where he joined negro
minstrel troupe at Msguire's Opera House
He remained there for some time
and then came to this city, where he
secnredt he position OF leading baritone
at CArncross and Dixey's minstrels under
the name OF J. Il. Russell. Here he be-
came great iavorite, and his singing Of
Longiellow's Bridge" "Sancy Lee" and
Rocked in the Cradle OF the Deep" will
never be forgotten by those who heard
him. In appearance Russell was about
the medium height, well.buiii; and with a
frank, open manner. Ills society was
much sought, and frequently after the per.
formance he would delight party OF
friends in Megonegal's saloon, next 10 the
0pea House on Chestnut street, or at Nor.
rls', Eleventh and Chestnut, by singing
these songs as he so we'll knew how.
His engagement with CarnCross termina.
ted about three years ago, and he then
went 10 New York and Joined the San
Francisco Ministries He had previously
met young girl in this city named Catha-
rIne Jackson, who resided with her parents
on Tenth street above Vine. She was
danseuse and Is well known on the stage
by the name OF Kitty Wilson. She il a
very pretty girl with gentle disposition
and bears an excellent reputation. Soon
alter they became acquainted she also went
TO New York and joined kiraliy's BLACK
Crook" combination. She'm Russell in
New York and on September II, 1881,
luey were HaIEIeu IL Iudt CITY, 4ue
marriage, however, proved short and very
unhappy. Russell had become addicted
to drink and failed TO contribute to his
wife's support. His manner toward her
became brutal, and her condition was
soon rendered intolerable. She therefore
applied TO the Court OF Common Pleas oil
this city for divorce, and 1t was granted
only few weeks SINGS by Judge Allison.
Russell made no objection to the applica.
ton, although he had returned to Phila.
delpha and was living here at the time.
He remained about his old haunts until
two weeks ago, when he became i'll, and
went TO the house Of his sister Emily, in
Virginia. He died last Tuesday OF debili.
~ in the home OF the sister he had de-
Tended.