The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-07-31

e'oo'.oh CuaV oh Pe'SV" eHoulo Ue tDAQo
new, but that an opposite inference might
we'll be deduced from The latter and spirit
of the text" And Notwithstanding, rs ev-
cry intelligent reader will at once perceive,
that this construction was afanciful and far
fetched play upon mere words, the orator
made it foundation for tho most appal-
ling denupoiation against sinners perhaps
ever heard from the pulpit. Tic painted
the different offenders against the divine
law in colors so black as 10 justify, without
a figure, the cpithet of Internal. Aud here
all his eloquence proved failure, or worse;
for instead of wooing sinners and hcretcs
iuto the arms of orthodoxy, his bitter sin-
vcctives filled their hearts with hostilities
and revenge. He made that day at least
five hundred implacabe cncm les. 4
Afterwards. travelling around the circuit,
he pursued the same unwavcring course,
throwing the whole country into ferment,
and creating with every sermon host of
friends aud encmics-thc latter, however,
usually predominating both in vchenencc
and numbers.
At length he gave mortal offence to one
Jonas Snecd, wealthy planter of Howard
county, man Of great personal popularity,
although it was well known that his wrath
was as deadly as the poison of the rattle
snake. The difficulty arose in this manner:
Major Sneed, notwithstanding his many
virtues, and he really possessed many, was
An occasional gambler-as indeed might be
said of the majority of tho irrcligious in
that section Of the country. He was also
duelist, whenever. the code of honor, as
currently recognized in that region, called
upon him, with its imperious rules to proifcr
or accept the gage of bloody battle. lie
had been engaged in several encounters of
the kind, and fortune always had declared
in his favor.
The young preacher Scaborn Ellis, was
in the habit Of denouncing all games of
of chance, as we'll as the players who par
ticipated in them, in most savage way,
while his abuse of duelling and duellists
was terrible, if not actually fiendish in its
ferocity. Maj. Sneed had been long writh-
| ing under these decorations, when one Sun
day lie attended church in the town of an
old Franklin, situated on the bank of the
Missouri river nearly opposite to Boon
vile. While the sermon was being de-
livered, goaded to desperation by some
whitening sarcasm against his peculiar vices,
| he calculated one word Of involuntary re-
tort. This brought down upon his devoted
head rebuke, the most terrible ever full
minated from the pulpit-at least in the
| Protestant land.
The infuriate duelist instantly left the
assembly, and waiting at the door till the
minister came out, he attempted to vim
dicate his honor by inf1icting personal
chastisements on the other. But the by
ISLANDERS interfercd and prevented any Sc
rious combat at that time.
On the next day, which happened to be
Christmas, Seaborn Ellis had an appoint
ment to holdforth at a place in the coun-
ty, about six miles from the town of Frank
lin, and directly on the road to the county
seat The exercises commenced at four
o'clock in the afternoon, and did not close
till nearly sunset. AS soon as the service
uas ended the preacher left the house,
with the intention Of riding on to Fay
cite that night. His surprise and astonish-
ment, then may weliibeimagined, when, on
passing through the door, he found Maj
Sneed, and about one hundred Of his friends
waiting to receive him in most ungraci-
Gus manner,
81 demanded a full apology" said the
major, in stern, overbeariDg tone, "for
all the insults that you have efared me-"
Ellis answered without changing coun-
tenance, or showing any external symp-
toms of unusual emotion+ailEIf have really
insulted you'll will apologize in the most
satisfactory manner"
"Did you not, on yesterday, proclaim
me a gambler and marderer, even from
the pulpit? And do you not term that
an insult of the grossest character?" asked
Sneed, in accents tremulous with suppressed
rage. e.
II do not call the truth an insult" ex-
claimed Ellis, with flashing eyes, and a
slight nervons motion of the right hand, a:
I ifhe too was becoming excited.
@Then you will not apologixsi" shouted
Sneed, almost deranged With passion.
81 have Doehpg to apologize for" an
swered the preacher, as his nght hand was
raised slowlySaA1slo all appearance inv6f
unfairly and ghdsd under his vest.
''Then twill take an apology out Of you
hide !" thundered the major, as he drew {
horsewhip from his boot, and began the
brutal work Of fagelMtion.
But the duolliss had only time TO stnk.
one blow for, FBfore he could. aceornplist
the second, Ellis drew from his bosein.i
double-edged daggar. and plunged It pE
: to the handle ii bis enemyA heart. Ell,
latter fell and expired without utteri6g. 9
groan.
"Seize the rascal Shoot the, hypo
afite |" with various other mensGpg ex
ciamations, cried the friends of Sneed
And dozen knives few froa their ecab
Dards, and the young minister beard the
= clicking of a score of pistol locks nearly al
: around hims 4 E-ss&s tlsy. - - j
! Notan. instant Was ia. .baslost. will
8 the speed OF The wind he fed insan oh
hqne difecslonIto where his horse ka 10
3 tened s9ized tlis;bssSS and srringyyng ipt.
!, animal tio Bic utmost spsss 81 aud, q 3 .lshoagi q 4;
8 b6svefsi shots were hsed Alter hin, she g
q capsd without d - T;
lhe taat sdsis Kim ow1ss|
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