Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1878-04-30

Most of the rising generation 80
years ago. in and around Abingdon,
received the greater part of their edu-
cation st the old school house, situa-
ted near the grave yard known as
Spyker's school house, where Rev.
David Spyker taught for twenty-odd
years without interruption, ruling
with rod Ofiron, very despOt in his
circumsCTiGed dOminions. He was
fnmiliarly called Blue Davy, and, as
! used 10 think and feel, blue enough
for sll practical purposes. Mr. Spy
ker was a thorough teacher, aud turn
ed out many boys who grew up to
manhood and made their marks rs
business men and good citizens.
In the south of the grave yard, bat
now enclosed ia the present boundary,
stood the old PresbyteriGn church, =
large old log building. ceiled snd
weeihCThoarded, capable of contsir-
ing from two To three hundred per-
sens. This was used as Il house of wor-
ship for many years, as late, | think,
as 81 or '32. Here the Rev. Stephen
BOrell held forth for msny years to
large and attentive congregations
who came 10 hear his one and half
and two hour sermons with becoming
zeal, and, ss most of US would n0H
think, with great christian forbesr-
ance. Here tie creek was always
well represented, as they were deci-
deGly e church going people. How
TO describe the pulpit at this late day
l am somewhat at loss, still its ap.
pearance is vividly impressed on my
memory. / imagine u little round,
red box, with small railing in front,
just large enough to hold one man.
erched up on stills D or feet high,
STRIPS leading up to the pulpit, with q
small red sound board suspended over
the head Of the preacher, only few
inches, if he were tell man, and you
h we a pretty correct portrait. Here,
when a boy, have / sat and slept
through many long sermon. Occa-
sionally Mr. BoreII was assisted by
Revs. MIR. DOak. James Galliher, Mr..
Glenn and A. McQuown Here. l
think, in 1928, ! heard q sermon
p cached by Rev. Samuel Sparks, Il
Young man raised I'm Abingdon, Il
Cumberland Presbyterian, of muth
beauty and power. His text I recGi- |
lect TO this day. He was, perhaps. one
uf the earliest preachers raised in 4 b. !
ihShbl bui IiES Nl4lS CNtiNuI IlS ISt-
came afterwards quite a famous preach !
er, and settled in Pittsburg. After !
the resignation of Rev. Dr. BoYel 3a !
pastor. | will give the names of those |
who followed hiEI, a. I recolect them: |
First, Rev. Mr. Mcdonnell. (Rer. Mr.. !
Cook n short tineJ, Rev. Thomas \ |
Ogden aud Rey David Il Preston.-I !
During his time the church at AbinE- |
don, now Temperance Hall, was cUHl- !
gietei and used as place Of worship, |
/ think in 1892. IN tbis connection |
an incident omitted in the proper |
place in the history of this old church |
/ VIII :eIEte. Gen. Jackson once !
re ched Abingdon oa Saturday aud |
remained Owe. till Monday, the guest. |
/ believe of Gov. D2via Campbell Il
He gttemGD,! church On : abHath III |
this old house. A little girl. ThO had !
heard so much Of the President, va |
very anxious 10 have II pl PAINTED OF: !.
To ter, which wgs done by her parents
She looked Up in great s-toniahmsu sut
sHd eXcl4in.ed. Why, ina he'e |
nothing hat q man ~
The Academy on the hill gas first
occupied, / think. in 1929 The first
school was taught by Mr. Ewing. In !
this class | recoiieCt Hon. J. w. Shelf
fey. Mr. VIM y. G. White. Judge G.
t. Trigg, and others. Mr.. EYirg, fer
several years, had large school, lie
had mania almost for fine blO0drd
horses. and was the owner of several
very fine animals.
L now close my imperfect history
may have committed some slight er-
rOrs as To dates, but in the main they |
are substantially correct G, G.. r..