Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-03-10
HOPKINS L. TURNEY.

held the seat he occupies. The name OF that
Senator is
HOPKINS L. TURNEY.
He is somewhat remarkable man, and the
last one, indeed, that any one would have
supposed would have presented himself as the
dlsputant OF John @. Calhoun. A brief sketch
of the life of MIR. Turney, think, will not be
unacceptable to your readers. 1t is some
what romantic, and reflects no discredit on
the author of its paternity. M. Hopkins L
Turney is a native of one of the mountain
counties of Tennessee, and ives early in life
dpprentlced to tailor. He learned the trade
of his master, and, at the end of his novitiate,
established himself in a shop in The little
village of Mem innvile. fle was Industrious,
prudent, and economical, at the outset of life
and would probably have remained on the
shopboard till this day had he not acquired
habits of dissipation. After the lapse of a
few years he became''very dIssolute, neglected
his business, and was regarded as lost man.
In the village of McMinnvile there lived a
woman Of very questionable, if not of abso-
lutely abandoned character, She was old,
ug' and in all things offensive and repulsive.
One night when the Court of the county was
in session, and when the village was crowded
with reckless and laug her loving lawyers,
ever ready Tor o row it was agreed that Mr.
Turney, who happened to be. on a spree.
should be married to the female in allusion.
1t was thought that thing of The kind would
be good jyke, and it was carried into execu-
ton the county clerk officia,ed as master Of
cerimonies.~ Mr.. Turney was in condition
that left him unconscious of the act he was
perpetfatng. The next day, how ever, he
awoke to behold in himself married man
welded to a woman who was the reproech
and the adherence of all the reputable people
Of the village of McMinnvIe.
Stung to the quick by the prefdious joke
that had been Palmed upon him, he panied for
revenge, determined it should be be had; and
it was very speedily obtained with ven
geance.
Whilst the Court was in session he repair
ed to the eourt house, and walking up to the
clerk, said 10 him, ri understand was marIi>
ed last night to woman of the village, and
that you oficiated as master of the cerem ony."
The charge was not denied. On the con
trary, it was freely admitted, but at the same
time it was urged that the whole thing was
but a joke, and as such should be regarded.
HC "ouIdu huu hoWCfSE III DeT POSSESSION q
sealed certificate Of marriage, signed by the
clerk, and there was no escape from it,
Seeing that there was a storm of Indignation
hanging over the brow of the injured party
the clerk commenced a series of remonstrance
and exhoTtstion. All, however, was unaval-
ing; and at the next instant he found both Of
his ears cut off c'ose to his head, by the swift
hand Of the man whom he had 80 grossly and
yet so jocoseIy injured. This savage act,
though done In the presence of Court of
judcature, was deemed righteous relrbuiion,
and no legal steps were taken to arrest the
aggressor.
The late Felix Grundy happened to be
present, and although he bid not advocate the
deed, he did not denounce it, but taking Mr.
Turney by the hand, said to him:
"You have done that to day, which proves
that you possess the spirit of man; and yet
it may subject you to the dungeon Of the
Pententiary. But I'll protect aud defend
you. Come with me to Nashville; abandon
your vicious habits place yourself under my
instruction; and I'll make lawyer of you.'
The invitation was accepted. Mr.. Turney
was entered as student at law 10 the offics oil