The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-03-29
A THRILLING NARRATIVE :
A FRIEND OF THE WIDOW,

EhlbND VI Auh "ADOWs f..H
John Taylor was licensed when a
youth of twenty.one, to practice at
the bar of -. lie was poor, but
we'll educated, aud possessed Of ex-
traordinary genius. The graces OF
his person, combined with the superb
ority of his intellect, enabled him to
win the hand Of u fashionable beauty.
Twelve months afterwards the bus
band was employed by u wealthy firm
of that city to 90 on u mission as
Land Agent, to the West. AS heavy
salary was offered, he bade farewell
TO his wife and son. He wrote back
every week, but received not a line in
answer. Six months elapsed, when
the husband received letter from his
employer that explained all. Shortly
after bis departure for the WeBt, the
wife and her father returned to Mis-
Eissippi. There she Immediately OBJ
tained u divorce by act OF Legisla-
ture, married again forthwith, and to
complete the climax Of her cruelty
and wrong, had the name Of Taylor 5
son changed TO that Of Marks--that
Of her second matrimonial partner.
This per6dy nearly drove Taylor
insano. His career from that moment
became eccentric in the first degree
sometimes lie preached, sometimes be
plead ut the bar, until at last fever
carried bin Oft at comparatively
early age. The following is an ac-
u0unt of ono Of his efforts at the bar {:
AZ an early hour on the 9th OF
April, lS40, the Court House in
Eiarksville, Texas, was crowded to
overaowing. Save in the war times,
there had never been witnessed 80
largo a gathering in the Red River
county, while the strong feeling appa'
r5nt in every fsce, will sufficiently ex-
plain the matter following:
About the close Of 1889, George
hopkins, one of tho wealthiest plant
ers and most influential men in North.
'Grn Texas, offered o gross insalt to
Mary Ellison, tho young and beaatl-
frl wife of bis principal overseeE -
The husband threatened to chastise
him for the outrage, whereupon Hop
kins loaded hts gun, went TO Elaison's
house, and shot him in his own door.
The murderer was arrested and
b&led, TO answer the charge. The
occurrence produced Intense excite
ment, aud Hopkins, in order to turn
tho tide of opinion, or at least TO nit
igate the general wrath wAieh was
Gr& violently against him, circulated
reports UNANIMOUSLY prdudicial to the
character and standing of the woman,
who had suffered such crael wrongs
at lis hands.
She brought suit for slander. And
thas two eascs--one criminal and the
other civil, aRd both out Of the same
tragedy-were pending al the April
Circuit Court for 1910.
The interest naturally feit BY the
community as 10 the issue, became
far deeper when it was knowR thai
Ashley and Pike, of Arkansas, and
the celebrated S. s. Prendss, Of New
Orleans, each by enormous fees, haC
been retained by Hopkins for defence
The trial Of indictment for mhroel
concluded on the Sth Of April, viii
the acquittal Of HopkinG Suoh 70
suit might have we'll been foreseen
comparing the talents Of the eounse
engaged on either side.
The Texas lawyers were utterly
overwhelmed by the Arguments an'
eloquence of their oppoaents. IL IA
a fight Of a dwarf against giants.
The slaRAer suit was bet for IN
9th, aud the throag Of spectators
grew In namber, As well ~ excite
fnent. And what seemed strange, th
current Of public opinion now ran a
rectly for Hopkins. His money ba
procured witnesses who served hl
powerful advocates. Indeed, so tr
umpbant had b.su the success on Oh