Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1878-02-16
OLD HICKORY'S ROMANCE.
Thrice Married to One Wife-How He Res
cued an 1Ii-trert.d Woman from a Bru-
tai Husband, Procured for Her Di-
vorce, and Thou Married Her Himself.

| FROM the Denver Tribune.
While walking along the main
street of Santa Fe the other day, a
Tribune representative had hisattention
called to an old man who was crossing
/ the street just in front. ''There's an
item for you," said a gentleman with
whom the reporter was conversing.
Z" I hat man was once private secretary
to President Polk" BY the time the SEN
tence was completed the man had dis
appeared, and what really promised to
be an interesting interview, was nipped
in the bud. A day or two afterward,
the man, known as old Col. Hopkins,
was, however, again seen on the street,
and to make sure, the Tribune repre-
sentative spoke to him at first sight
The man now lives near Santa Fe, and
certainly does not bear the marks that
fortune leaves when she uses her chill
dren we'll He is old and feeble, bent
half to the ground as he makes his way
leaning on his cane, looking picture
of real distress and poverty. He wears
an old army overcoat and the same
character of pantaloons, given to him
doubtless by some soldier at the post.
He carries with him, whenever in San
ta Fe, common meal-sack, which he
makes the repository of whatever is do
mated to him by those who feel disposed
to lend helping hand, for be it known
that this man Hopkins, he who was once
confidential secretary to James X Polk,
when he was President of the United
States, is now street beggar in "The
CITY of Holy Faith
The reporter shook hands with the
old man and asked him to 90 into the
room of the former in the Exchange
Hotel. Conserving, he walked in and
there talked for two hours. He showed
himself a man OF good breeding and ex-
cellent manners after the fashion of the
old school. He is running over with
"reminiscences of the men who figured
so prominently in the affairs of the ma
ton during the last generation. He
had known Polk for many years and
was in the Tennessee Legislature when
he was nominated for the Presidency.
Mr.. Hopkins seems even more famil-
lar with the life of Jackson than with
that of Polk. Hopkins's uncle, with
whom he lived greater part of his ear
ly life, was friend of Jackson's when
the two were young, and even after that
time the family were on intimate terms |
with Old Hickory. He tells about be-
ing at a reception given by Polk while |
Governor of Tennessee, at the State !!
Capitol, at which jackson was present: |
and tells, too, of how the old man lean
ed upon his shoulder for over an hour
as the women passed by and shook |
hands with and kissed him-hundreds
of them, old and young, and of all de-
grees of beauty and reverse. To this
day Mr.. Hopkins does not know wheth-
ar he was more fatigued with sustaining
nearly the entire weight of the old Gen
eral, or disguised with seeing him get
all the kisses.
Here the reporter took occasion to
ask about Gen. Jackson's marriage As
will be remembered by the reader, the
biographies OF jackson pass this by
With but slight and most unsatisfactory
illusions. Hopkins's version ought to
De authentic as he had the facts from
he family. jackson was a young law
Ter. He was on his way from Tennes-
'bt " SDHit ADNn III htuluNhN 70 dLltIlu ,
,ourt. He was passing through which
5 now either Warren or Barren County,
n the Green River country, which was
hen but thinly settled, and most of it
covered with forests. Approaching a
one cabin in the road, he heard the
ries of a woman, which grew more and
more distinct the nearer he approached
he house SDurriuo nm the animal he |
vas riding, he soon reached the cabin,
nd, alighting from his horse, entered
/, 20 find shoemaker beating his wife ,
With a strap of leather. The sounds he
ad heard proceeded from her throat.
)isregarding the old admonition, never
D interfere between husband and wife, :
e caught the mans arm and compelled a
i'm to desist from his diabolical pas 5
me. Then half showing him, half a
licking him into the ward. he told the Il