Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-03-07

about 8 miles below Chester, on the
road to Blackstocks. While driv-
ing along, a forked tree fell and kill
ed the horse he was riding. The
fork came down so as to save him
one prong was before and the other
behind him thus he made a mirac-
ulous escape, while the horse he rode
was instantly killed.
Mr.. .Hemphill survived his good
wife who died about 1851 or '52. He
lived several years afterwards, and
| think married a Miss Roseborough,
who in time survived him. His
first wife was Miss Rebecca Smarr.
j. p. Hood, Esq, died recently.
His widow, whose maiden name was
Feemster, still survives him. 1t is
principally owing to his thrift and
energy that the modest little village
of Hoodtown owes its existence. He
was mainly instrumental in getting
the Shady Grove Church organized
and built up. His children preceded
him to the grave. In all charitable
and religious enterprises he was a
liberal giver and an indefatigable
worker. He WAS one Of the bestsold-
school musicians in the county, and
expended much time and treasure in
bringing the "Hoodtown band" up
to the standard of proficiency it now
enjoys. He was a connecting link
of the past and present. The old
fogy that clung to many Of his age
and standing as relic of slavery
gave way to the new regime result
ing in the war, and no man so quick
ly recovered from its devastation as
he did. Like thousands of others his
good deeds were never spoken of or
published until after his death. Well
we might say, "He rests from his
labors and his works follow him."
In ante bellum times he was con-
nected with a musical band-in fact
was its leader, in which the Sherrer
boys, the Plexicos, the Hamricks
and some of the junior Hoods were
members. This hand went far and
near on all public occasions. The
first time 1 ever heard it perform
was at MIR. "Dick" Johnson's school
exhibition at Flint Hill school in
about 1851.
Many useful men, then boys re-
ceiving an academical education,
were members of this school. Among
them we might mention the names
of j. Banks Lyles, DR.. J. F. Nc
Luney, Drs. j. B. andJ. w. Allison,
DIR. r. r. Darwin, and, if l mistake
not, the efficient and gentlemanly
probate judge Of York county, James
R. Kennedy, Esq, was also student.
This school was one of best in the
county, and its worthy principal en-
joyed the enviable reputation of a
disciplinarian in his chosen profess
sion-that of teacher. He died a few
years later. Many eminent men and
scholars can trace their success to the
teaching of Prof. "Dick" Johnson.
He married, if 1 mistake not, Miss
Davis-daughter of Rev. William B.
Davis, whose name has already been
mentioned in these "reminiscences.
Western York has not within the
last half century produced more
efficient teacher than Prof. Johnson,
as the different professions will bear
testimony. He had few equals and
no superiors in this State. The
writer never enjoyed the pleasure OF
his acquaintance, and knew him only
from reputation. The first evidence
Of his proficiency we had was at the
exhibition mentioned on the last
Friday in July, 1851. The scholars
acquitted themselves handsomely in
their dialogues, speeches and recita.
tions, on that day. This was the
finest exhibition the writer ever at
tended. Here the salutary effect OF
good teaching and school discipline
made a lasting impress upon me.