Lamar County Al Archives News…..The Vernon Clipper March 5, 1880

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FIDELITY AND DEVOTION OF WOMEN

Most of our readers will remember the details of the POINDEXTER and CURTIS

tragedy in Richmond, Va., about a year ago. C. C. CURTIS was a clerk in a

shoe store. Miss ISABEL COTTRELL visited the store several times trying to

get suited with a pair of shoes. She told JOHN E. POINDEXTER, her lover, that

Curtis had offended her by insisting on putting them on her foot, speaking of

her pretty feet, and by squeezing her arm in assisting her in the carriage.

She told him this on Sunday. The next day Poindexter accompanied by his

brother went to the shoe store and horse whipped Curtis, who, taken by

surprise or lacking personal courage made no resistance, at the time. But

smarting under the disgrace, two hours later he went to Poindexter’s place of

business, armed with a cane and accompanied by a friend, and stoutly denied

Miss Cottrell’s charges demanded of Poindexter an apology. Poindexter

refused to apologize, saying he would shoot if Curtis struck him with the

cane. By the advice of his friend Curtis began to cane Poindexter who

returned the blows with five pistol shots, the last one striking Curtis in the

forehead. He fell and died the next day.

Poindexter was put on trial for the murder. The jury disagreed. He

was put on trial the second time, convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary

for two years. He appealed, but to no effect. He next applied for a pardon,

but this was refused.

Now, comes the strange sequel to this tragedy. A few evenings ago, within two

or three days of the time young Poindexter was to start for the penitentiary,

he and Miss Cottrell were married at the residence of the latter’s brother-in-

law. The nuptials were very private, though several prominent citizens were

present. The young couple were perfectly devoted, not leaving each other’s

side a single moment during the two hours the company remained together. He

sat by her, holding her hand in his looking as happy as one could under the

circumstances. The parting hour soon came; they fondly embraced each other;

and he was carried back to his prison cell. What a striking illustration of

woman’s pure and unselfish devotion. This loving, grateful girl weds a felon

and shares his disgrace to help him bear up against his coming two year

struggle. and it will bring sweet comfort to him. Nothing is so sure to

bring solace to a distressed mind at the reflection that there is one pure

soul to which it can always turn for love and sympathy.