Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-12
THE kIRKMAs MYSTERY SOLVED.

Ia AEkAA Nan u Oh SOR<N LOs
The Body FOund-The Deceased Frozen
10 Death -COr0ner's Inquest - Re
mains Brought TO the City-A1eeting
Scene-TribaIe OF Respeet.
In our article of yesterday we stated all
the particulars known at the time, Of the
distressing disappearance of MIR. james
Kirkman, and the probabilities that he was
drowned. The facts in our possession at
the time justified this conclusion. Since
our last, however, the entire mystery that
shrouded the case has been solved. No
event has occurred in long time that has
cast deeper gloom over the entire COM
munity, or excited more universal sympa-
thy. Deceased was the only surviving son
of one of our most prominent citizens, and
who has long been in 4 liberal, public
spirited manner identified with the inter-
ests and prosperity of Nashville, both in
business transactions and in the broader
and more comprehensive sense of general
usefulness, whenever the energies of his
mind or the liberality of his means
were required for the advancement Of
any enterprise or benihcent measure.
The deceased, James Kirkman, was himself
among our first business young men, and
partner in one of the most extensive and
reliable business houses in the city. He
was in the early and full flush of young
manhood, with hattering and prosperous
career Of usefulness and honor in prospec
tive for him. He was also a model young
man, possessing a generous soul and
those high chivalrous and manly qualities
that so impressed all who knew him. He
was the type Of honor, and the mirror in
which "our youth well might glass and
fashion" themselves to the characteristics
that adorn rising manhood. The sad event,
as our readers have already been advised,
occurred in Maury county, on Wednesday
last On that day Mr.. Kirkman left the
town of Columbia on business in the Wis
cinity, on horseback. In the afternoon his
horse, wet and the saddle saturated with
water, was discovered near Duck river
bridge without the rider. Vigilant search
was at once instituted, and on Thursday
evening the horse was tracked to the con-
huence of Bear creek with Duck river, and
it was seen where the animal entered the
stream and where he came ont on the other
side.
These facts led to the conclusion pub
lished in our last that be had been drowned.
Vigilant search was at once instituted for
the remains, and was continued up to yes
terday afternoon at two o'clock, when they
were found one mile east of Bear creek,
and about a mile and halffrom the place
where he was supposed to have been
drowned. At three o'clock Geographic
dispatch was received announcing the fact
that the remains had been found, but stating
| no particulars. From the wording of the
dispatch the worst apprehensions were en-.
| tertained that he had been foully dealt with,
and the inquest of the Coroner's jury was
looked for with eager interest. The verdict
of the jury was that he had been thrown
from his horse, and being wet at the time
! he froze to death. The body was stiff frozen
when it was found. 1t bore no marks of
violence, not even an abrasion of the
| skin, and all the valuables he had
| about him were found on his person.
\ His remains were brought to the city on
yesterday evening on the Nashville and
Decatur railroad. They were met at the
depot by large number of friends of the
| deceased and family relatives, and COM
| veyed to the residence of his father on
Vine street, where they were dressed for
the grave. An effecting scene took place
at his fathers when the friends and rela-
tives gathered in the room of death, and
looked upon the features of one they so
lately saw animated and buoyant with
hope. The funeral will take place at 8
| o'clock this afternoon from Christ's Church.
Many of the personal friends of the de-
ceased and business men Of the city met
yesterday afternoon and passed the follow
ing