1857                30 Front Row, Memphis, Tennessee.

James R. Pollock was recorded in an article on September 1, 1857 in the Memphis Daily Appeal (Memphis, Tennessee).  Probable Homicide.—The particulars of a very tragic affair which occurred on Sunday night, is thus recounted by the Evening News.  We have heard nothing, after the most diligent inquiry, contrary to the facts here detailed:

A man named Slider was shot last night, on Shelby street near Trezevant, by another named James R. Pollock.  The weapon used was a pistol, and the ball entered the stomach.  There was an unsettled difficulty between the parties, the origin and progress of which has been related to us.  It appears that they have both been paying court at the shrine of a young woman who resides on Poplar street, with whom Pollock had exchanged daguerreotypes and perhaps other tokens of reciprocal affection and confidence.  But, as “the course of true love never does run smooth,” a misunderstanding of some sort arose between then, upon which Pollock demanded the return of his pictured semblances.  The lady complied, though, at the time of giving him possession, she took occasion to express her opinion that he was “no part of a gentleman.”  Pollock replied that he could not strike a woman, but if any male friend would take her part he would resent the insult.  Slider, who was present, remarked that he would stand for the lady.  Pollock then drew upon him, but the interference of by-standers prevented a collision.

The parties did not meet again until last night, when Pollock escorted a lady home from church who lived on Shelby street, Slider and a friend being in advance of them.  Just past the house where the lady resided, Slider halted, and when the lady entered he called to Pollock that he wished to speak with him, advancing towards him at the time.  Pollock told him to stand back, and he stopped, when P. fired upon him.  After the shooting Pollock entered the house and remained a few minutes, when he left and has not since been heard from.  The wounded man is expected to die hourly.

Pollock was in the employ of Dr. Y. A. Carr, learning the daguerreotyping business.  He came from Washington county, Ark.  Slider was a blacksmith, in the employ of the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad Company.  He was a German.

Up to the very last hour of going to press Pollock had not been arrested.  The wounded man now lies in a hopeless condition at a house on Treazavent street, near the river.

Dr. Keller is his attending physician.  The wounds are in the abdomen and under the left arm.

James R. Pollock is not listed in other photographic directories.