Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-05-31
An Alabama Tragedy.

nar,icuIars of terrible tragedy in the latter
place, growing out of the scanda!-mongenng
nropepsities of our average society. The affair
took place on the 23d inst, aud has been briefly
reported by telegraph. The correspondent
says: ,,
The citizens of Opclika were startled into
excitement on yesterday evening by the report
that Mr. Thomas Phillips had been shot and
instantly killed by MIR. John Hooper, both
parties being residents here.
MIR. Thomas Phillips was one OF the most
biehy esteemed members Of this community
, man of fine character, who had for many
Years been promncnt and influential in this
comfy, He had held various positions oil
trust and honor, having been Judge OF the
Court of Macon county, and sheriff 1t used
to he his boast that he had served thirty years
as sheriff deputy sheriff, and constable, without
having difficulty with any person In the dis
charge of his official duties. Mr.. Phillips was
q member of the Methodist church, and was
about fifty-eght years OF age Tie leaves,
wife and family to mourn his untmely death.
The slayer Mr.. John Hooper, is a young
man about twenty years of age, q son oil Judge
J D, Hooper aud brother Of George W.
Hooper. the Solicitor of the county.
The origin of the difficulty was, it Is said, as
follows Some weeks ago while Dir. Phillips
and his wife were in the garden one eTcnng,
they we're witnesses to improper conduct be-
tween John Hooper and young girl OF this
place. a.,
Mr. Phillips, as member OF the church.
and also as a friend to MIR. Hooper, sought
the young man 90 the following day and re
monstrated with him on his conduct, at the
same time administering him to be more eau
tious.
Young Hooper, it is said, flew into passion
declaring that nobody but Mr., Philips haa
seen them, and that if that gentleman ever told
i to ANYBODY. he (Hooper) would shoot him.
Mr.. Phillips reioined that others had witnessed
II hut that so lar as he was concerned he did
not intend to make any mention OF the matter
to any one all he desired was TO warn Hooper,
Of the consequences Of his open disregard OF
ordinary caution.
It appears that among those who were wit
nesses to the improprieties OF the parties were
several blacks who, spread the story on every
side giving the young lady's name, together with
all the details Very soon the scandal was
noised from one end Of the town to the other
and as the young lady's connections are very
respectable, it became evident that Hooper
must do something TO repcl the charge OF
This Hooper did by killing Mr. Phillips.
He approached that gentleman yesterday after
noon in the presence Of two OF our most respect
able citizens, and charged him with having
spread the report Mr. Phillips replied, deny
ing that he had ever spoken of the matter to
any one. Hooper then demanded that Mr..
Phillips should deny ever having seen anything
improper between him aud the young lady.
Mr.. Phillips replied declining to acccde to the
demand, on the ground that he would not
voluntarily tell lie.
Mr. Phillips was entirely unarmcd aud at
the mercy of his opponent No sooner had ne
refused to deny that he had witnessed the con,
duct, than Hooper drew revolver and level!ed
it at the unfortunate man. MIR. Phillips called
out to him, in the pane of God, not to shoot,
and made movement as If TO seize the Wea-
pom. Before he could execute bis purpose,
however, Hooper fired and the bullet entered
above his left breast, penetrating the heart aud
causing instant death. A second shot was
fired, but the bullet missed, and before be
could fire third time, he was arrested; :.
The deed committed, Hooper walked OFT
to the authorities. Then took place perfect
farce Mr. Hooper was clerk in the Office of
Justice of the Peace named Fickers, and he
was brought before his former employer. 1t
is said that when bail was asked, Ilckers
promptly agreed to take it, and named $500
as enough, and that Hoopers brother, the
Solicitor, suggested 5000, as this sum was
larger and would prevent people talking.
The bailing Ct Hooper has excited great IN
dignation among all classes of our respectable
citizens.
FISHERIES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
I'm the Council of the Legislature Of the Dis
trict of Columbia, on Thursday. Mr. Browue
from the Committee on Police, rcnortcd back
Council bill for the preservation OF shad and
herring in the Potomac river and to prevent the
sale of oysters ct certain seasons OF the year.
with substitute, as follows,
THAT it shall be unlawful for any person to
take or fish for shad or herring within the Dis
trict oS Columbia, between the 20th day of
Nav and the 2lst day Of December OF
any year, or between sunset on Saturday
evening and sunrise Cd Monday morning
of any week, either with net seine, wre-trap
or pond, aud it shall be unlawful tor any per-
son within the times aforesaid to obstruct or
hinder the passage OF any migrating fishes by
any pier, net, seine or pound, or any other
means used for fishing; and it shall be unlawful
for any person to use in fishing for shad any
net or seine, the meshes Of which measure less
than four inches; and it shall be unlawful to
sell or offer for sale within the District of Coum
bia, any fresh shad or herring between the Dist
day of May and the 3lst day Of December Of
any year, and any person violating the provi-
sions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeapor, and on conviction thereof shall
be punished by foe not less than one hundred
nor more than FIVE hundred dollars. The
bill passed the Council, and now goes to the
DISTRICT Honse of Dclegates
TRANs1rs OF VENUS The transts Of the
planet Venus over the disk of the sun, of which
so much has been said within the year takes
place at very unequal though at regularly re-
curing periods, VIZ, at intervals of S, l22. 5.
aud l05 years. The last was in June, 1863;
aud the next will be in December. 1874, and
again in 1882. After that, no other will occur
till the year 1904 These transi'S are very I'M
portant as enabling US to ascertain the exact
distance Of the sun from the EARTH which is
IL a nll