The sun., 1891-07-04
COL. NGGUTLTYOF MURDER
THE TRIAL INVOLVED THE COOP NAME
OF GEN. PILLOWS WIDOW

He Il . Rich Citisen OF Memphis ana =
Member or tho Bar-Ko shot David n.
Poston. Who Was Counsel On the Op-
pesite Side In n Case Growing Out OF =
Quarrel with Mrs. PiiIow-The Latter
Openly Rcjoices Over the Verdict
MEMPHIS. July 3.-Col. II. Clay King, who
killed David II. Poston last March. was con-
yicted OF murder in the flrst degree to-day.
At 0 O'Clock the jury filed in and stood In
front Of the jury box. The defendant mani
tested no emotion over the announcement.
He sat facing the jury and preserving the
same Indifference that has characterized his
bearing throughout the trial. Judge Greer Of
the counsel for the defence at once made a
motion for new trial. 1t will be argued later
David II. Poston was walking down the
busiest part OF Main street at II o'clock on the
morning Of March 10 last. whom Col. King.
who had been watching for him. approached.
and applying a coarse name to him pushed
q 45-callbrs Colts revolver against his alb
domen and fred. PoSton did not fall. but
was assisted to restaurant near ly
and was sent from there to o prl-
vats infrmary. whore he died on the follow
ing evening. He did not lose consciousness
until an hour before his death and made q
dying declaration. which was supported In
every detail by nine OF eleven eyewitne ssss
showing that tho killing was cold-blooded
assass ination.
King had been lying in wait for Poston before.
After tho shooting he refused to mako any
sta emen. but on the following day he made Q
written statement about the killing.
He said that Poston had fled bill against
him in chancery which reflected on his wife's
honor: that he had asked Poston to retract
but he Ind declined and King killed him to
avenge his wife's honor.
Tho charges complained Of were contained
in q cross bill filed BIZ tho widow Of Gen. Gideon
j. Pillow of Confederate fame Mr.. Poston Was
the attorney.
Mrs. Pillow alleged in that bill that the rsa-
son she severed her business relations with
King was that King had told her he had
heard things from negro touching his
his wife that he would mako the basis for .
divorce. whereupon Mrs Pillows womanhood ID
fIl such way. ny !" Sue said that she would have
nothing else to do with him.
Kns s' 10 Fs-' 81 s vs hs d
8. dSsss s4 SsSsSSR rs
fPosson Tor filinE IT, but that clause dld not pa
ter into The sllesatton,;s Ths bs,, blll was fled
eSs 'ss :rs 'hs %iois Rins PiS* scandal
years and had lived in the same
house, with Mrs. Piloy 6H and dee decided e q
her al his efSepa GpG Te n
Pillows favor. and he tried to get divorce
| from his wife that bs might, marry her:
she was to him what Agnes was to David Cop
psrfald. On the witness stand. besides tho
| self-deiencs. but not siugle witness support.
ed him. He assisted ip hi! own defence. and
he convinced them OF his sanity and deliberate
! intention to kill Poston.
When the verdict was announced. Mrs. Pill
| low and her daughter were In the Court House
| in an upper room and the former. with tri-
| umphant cry. thanked God that jury had
| been found to do Justice.
| The verdict was received with general salts
faction 1t 10 the frst time In the memory OF
| IN an that man in this city rich and promi-
| nsnt. has been convicted OF murder In the fret
| degree.