Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-03-10
LETTER FROM SPRINGFIELD.


DEAR CHRONICLE: 1t is really re-
freshiug for one TO change his base oc-
casionally, especially when locals and
jotings from a given point have flooded
your columns until an ordinary scrib-
bier has been lost ia the literary de-
6riS.
Last Monday l started hitherward
10 leisurely way. | spent the night
with family of old and cherished
friends. Ga the morning following,
In company with the veritable M, T"
the Springfield correspondent of the
Tobacco Leaf, | started to Springfield.
j. w. F. thinks it likely that he is a
Spiritualist, but l rather think if the
ghost Of Andrew jackson was to con-
front him he would have visions of the
threatened fate of South Carolina
nullifier.
On leaving home [ had hopes of a
joyous trip, Invested Of the usual shades
of grief that chequer my visits among
whilom friends but no, Bro. Duncan,
NJ. A. is in dying condition, and said
tell you that you must be sure to come
to see her-I go. There lies a dying
girl who says I've tried to do my
christian duty, and have no fear of
death f; for God, through the merits of
Christ, will save me. and l will soon
be at rest" All of which steadfastly
believe. Sha never disgraced the
Church, broke its rules, or gave her
pastor trouble. Devotional and con-
sistent, she meets her fate like a chris
tian. We sing, pray and weep, for af
ter all it is hard to give her up.
On to Springfield. A shade of gloom
hangs over the town, and the court
room is filed with spectators, and the
trial of S. B. Hopkins for the murder
of E. G. Kirk is in progress. Mr..
Kirk was an unfortunate man in many
respects-melancholy in his DISPOSE
ton, an epileptic, given to intemper-
ance, and deeply bereaved of late by
the loss of his companion and two lit
tie ones. He wandered around drink
ing, and seeming to have but little life
or energy. On Sunday last about ) p.
m. group were in front of Woodgard
and MOore's wholesale whiskey house,
Mr.. Hopkins among the number. Mr.
Kirk came into the crowd, and Mr..
Hopkins drew his pistol aud com
menced firing on him, shooting three
or four shots. Mr.. Kirk tel AMI *
pired without speaking "a wurd. The
testimony is now being taken, and |
forbear giving any statements of wit
nesses. Mr.. Hopkins is young and
handsome man, with young wife and
one child, and is a successful dealer
in whiskey-if success attends the |
traffic. But do not believe that God |
permits success to attend such sources
of destruction to human souls.
On last Tuesday at u o'clock p. m.
a large crowd assembled at the Presby-
terrain Church where the Independent
Champions of the Red Cross installed
their officers for the present year.
Music pathetic, comic and gleeful was
dlscoursed in acceptable quantities.
Speeches were made and the cause of
advanced / trust. But
the greatest speech on temperance that
has been made in Springfield for many
a day is the sad and sorrowful Hop
kins- Kirk affair.
Hundreds will read eagerly anything
l write for your paper relating to Rev.
j. W. Cullom. Well, to begin, he is
a success in Springfield, as he is every
where else, from the howell of the poor
est and most deeply afflicted to the
helm of a presiding elders district.
He is a well-fed, well-clothed preacher;
familywell behaved and ingood health;
sister G. cheerful and happy; Church
full of orderly people and music ex-
cellent, led by James A, eldest son of
the pastor. A holy life and consecra-
ted household has made for Cullom-
as it will for any mana little heaven
here below"
| have written curreRte calctBo, and |
you will have trouble in setting" but
with promise of the same to you" in
the future, | remain yours truly,
March 6, 1877. 7. J. DUNCAN.