Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-08
THE LATE BISHOP LEONIDAS
' POLK.

We take the following "reminiscences
Of the late. Bishop of Louisiana from
recent publication:
An accident is often related which oc.
cured at the mouth of White river. The
Bishop, from constant living in the open
air, great deal Of exercise and very
temperate habits, had acquired an ap-
pearance of robust health; he always
wore, even in the days of thin boots,
soles as thick as the present balmeral,
and had an overcoat of pilot cloth capa
BILE of resisting all weathers. Landing
at the mouth Of White river to take a
boat for Little Rock, he found the regular
packet did not leave until an early hour
in the morning, and that no one was
allowed to sleep on board; he was,
therefore, compelled to 60 to the tavern,
which at that time enjoyed most unen-
viable reputation, as the resort of rob-
bers, gamblers and cut throats, the
former members of Murrelps gang.
There was no one in the miserable
place but himself; he sat with the
landlord by the fire until some time after
dark, when the inE keeper advised him if
he wished place to sleep, to secure it
before the boys came in, as they were
then drinking and gambling on board
the hatboats at the wharf and would be
up before long. He was accordingly
shown into long room with some dozen
beds-none of the cleanest in the world
where his host left him to 90 to bed
by the light of candle stuck in bot
tie. Everything was so exceedingly fil.
thy, that, protecting his head with silk
handkerchief, he turned up the collar of
his coat, took off his boots, which he
placed by the side of his bed, which, by
the way, he had chosen near the door,
and composed himself to sleep. About
midnight he was aroused by the rush of
feet up the stairs, and in few moments
the room was filled with men, who be-
gan to undress as soon as they entered,
and appropriated the various beds; one
man was left out, and coming to the side
of the bed, he addressed himself to the
bishop: ''Well, stranger, am going to
turn in with you.
The bishop merely looked up and said:
" You cannot come here, sir. 20,
there's two to one that | am coming"
+" You cannot come here, sir" "You
do not mean il. | am coming" accom-
panied by volley of oaths. "You can.
not come here, sir, was the still quiet
answer to this. The man began to fall |
ter, evidently not liking the appearance
of determination the Others called out
not to quarrel with the fellow, they would
settle with him in the morning, and they
would make room for him in one of the
other beds.
Early in the morning, while they were
in their drunken slumbers, he was up
and away, steaming up the river. On |
reaching Little Rock he met some old |
friends, and on CHANGING to mention this,
they told HIM men had been killed in
that house for much less, and they con-
sidered it wonderful escape. One
asked, Did the fellow see those boots ?"
+" Yes, they were at the side of the bed.
All, shat accounts for it he concluded |
that anyone who wore such boots and such |
a coat, and was so quiet, must be armed |
to the teeth, and was certain if he
touched the bed he would have been
shot"
The Bishops ignorance of the risk ran
saved him, but his constitutional bravery |
never allowed him to hesitate for mo-
meht for fear of consequences
A short time since, friend met Mr..
of Mississippi, who was speak
sg to some gentlemen, and affirming to
hem the truth of a story often related at
he Southwest, that at least twenty years
lgo, upon Mr.. McMakin's addressing him
1t the table as General" and being
and told it was Bishop Polk,
replied: 81 knew he was a commanding
,fflcer in the department to which be
belonged"
As an instance Of his readiness in
he was once at church.
where he heard brother bishop preach,
he subject of the discourse being prin-
,ipally the travels of the writer in
Europe. As they were coming out of the
q friend remarked to the Bishop
II Louisiana, "Do you call that the
,ospel?' To which Bishop Polk replied,
Oh no; that is the Acts Of the Apos-