The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-05-30
JACK" RUSSELL.
The Last of England's Race of Orthodox
Hunting Parsons.

Labouchere's London TRUTH
The Rev. "Jsck" Russell, the last of the
old school of hunting parsons, died at Bla elk
Torrington on Saturday After his long and
dangerous illness last year he went to stay st
Anstey, on the borders of Exmoor, and was
greatly benefited by his residence there.
About six weeks ago his health again failed,
and he went to Bu6e, in the hope that the
sea cir might revive him: but he became
rapidly worse, and by his own wish he re-
turned to his rectory house.
"Psrson" Russell was an enthusiastic
sportsman, but he WAS also Jealous and Of
fcient parish clergyman and an earnest and
attractive preacher. He never suffered his
amusements to interfere with his clerical
duties, and his popularity among his parish
toners and neighbors of all classes was un-
bounded Although his income always was
a small one, his charities were munifcent and
for years he rendered valuable assistance to
the hospitals and infrmRries of North Devon.
Mr.. Russell was ordained in 1920
by the Bishop of Exeter, DIR. Pei
ham, the faVorite of George ". After
passing twelve years as curate of South Mol.
ton and afterwards of Iddesleigh ne was
nominated by the Dean of Exeter to the rec
tory Of Swymbridge, near Barnstsple, which
he held for forty-fve years, during which
period he restored the Church, which is one
of the finest in the district. In 1879 Mr..
Russell was presented by Lord Poltimore to
the rectory of Black Torrington, but
although this living was more valuable, yet
it was in comparatively new country and
he was never really quite happy after leav-
ing Swymbridge.
Mr.. Russell hunted for the frat time in
1914, when he was out with the Devon
and Somerset stag hounds, of which the late
Earl Fsrbescue was then master. When ne
went to South Molten he kept 8 small pack
of otterhounds and hunted regularly with the
pack kept by the well-known "Psrson"
Froude, of Knowstone. On removing to
Iddesleigh Mr.. Russell started pack of fox
hounds and showed such fine sport that he
made his name famous as a Eighty hunter
throughout the West, and the Dukes of
Northumberland and Bedford, Sir William
Wordsworth, Lord Clinton and other great
landowners gave him free leave to draw
their covers whenever he pleased. Like the
late Lord Wemyss, Mr.. Russell was able to
ride almost any distance, and st this period
he often rode fifty miles to meet, hunted and
rode home at night. On leaving Iddesleigh
Russell sold his pack to Mr.. Hext, of Ressor-
mel, but within two years of his settling st
Swymbridge he started another
pscf, which ne kept till 1871, when he sold
them to Mr.. Villebois, of Marian. He was
moreover, q regular follower Of the stag
hounds on the neighboring Exmoor. OF late
Mr. Russell kept few barriers, which he re-
Gently sold, however, to Mr.. Barring, Of
Membland, who next season will hunt the
South Hams country with them.
For come time Mr. Russell was 3 good
deal worried by Bishop Phillpotts, who
thought that hunting clergyman must
necessarily be Psrson Trulliber; but after q
few years he succeeded in obtaining that
great prelste's confidence. 1t Is related that
during the Bishops first invitation he was
on his way to Barnstaple when there passed,
first, pack of hounds in full cry and then
long procession of horsemen in black coats;
whereupon the Bishop exclaimed to his
chaplain: ''Good Hesvensl this neighbor-
hood must have been afflicted by some fear
full epidemic, never saw so many men in
morning before" The chaplain, who had
recognized his reverend brethren as they
passed, made no reply. When Mr.. Durn-
ford (the well-known fellow of Oriel) was
settled at parish near Exeter, he once en-
countered the Bishop in what the latter con-
sidered very unclericsl garb, and he ac-
costed him with, "Prsy, Mr.. Durnford, DO
you think that your attire is suitable for
Clergyman to wesr about his psrish?" "Ohi
nv lord, l was surprised to find that my
neckcloth had washed black "Oh, indeedl
then L suppose your trousers have washed
Uhita7D