The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-01
NEW YORK AND FLORIDA SPECIAL.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

aud robbed him. The $50 which he retained
was probably located in some obscure por-
ton of his clothing and thus escaped the fin
gers Of his captors. An infant child, which
was born to him last Friday, was taken Ill
during his absence and died about the time
he reached home.
An old man, around whose life clusters
many an interesting kpcident and OF whom
much has been written, died at High Shoals
Tuesday. Ii was Rev. N. W. Pridgeon,
Christian preacher, we'll known throughout
this section. Mr.. Pridgeon was 80 years old, ,
and his death was due to old age. The death
Of this old gentleman calls to mind an oc-
currence that happened nearly four years
ago, and that created much excitement
around Athens. In March, 1888, it was
given out that on April 9 Rev. N, w. Prid>
geon would preach his own funeral at q
grove near his home on the road to High
Shoals, about ten miles from the city. This
was an occurrence never witnessed be-
fore by the people around here, and
on the day set forth for the funeral
over 5000 people from all over
this section of country were present. Every
vehicle in Athens, huggies, carriages, wag-
ons and carts, were engaged weeks IN ad-
vance TO carry the crowd over to the fun
eral. About IL O'Clock on that day, which
was his S4th birthday, Mr.. PridgeOn began
preaching his own funeral. A plain, pine
coffin made by his own hands, was before
him, and across it was laid an open Bible.
From the holy book Mr.. Pridgeon read
many passages TO prove that men should
preach their own funerals, and then pro-
ceeded to deliver long funeral discourse.
AT times the vast congregation would sing
the hymns read out by the venerable
preacher, and the strictest attention was
paid him during his remarks. A great
many believed that at the conclusion of his
sermon he would die, but the old gentleman
lived four years nearly after that sermon.
His father also preached his own funeral,
and some Of his other relatives also.
Americas Times Recorder: The death Of
Arkie Hawkes. a well known young oolored
man. early Sunday morning, occasioned
pretty big sensation among the white as
we'll as colored residents of Americas
Hawkes. was employed as bartender at J.
w. Mis- & Sous saloon on Cotton avenue.
Saturday night be quit work at 10 O'Clock,
but did not start home until about an hour
afterward. What occurred after he
reached home no one knows but his wife
and mother-iu Hill. They
say he committed suicide. He was found
lying In his room Sunday morning with a
bullet wound in the back OF his head, just
under his right ear. He was ap-
parently fully dressed, but on
investigation it was asceTtained
that he hsd on no underclothing. Parties
who had been with him Saturday night de-
clare that he had on a complete suit of IN
derclothing when they last saw him.
After hearing oil the evidence obtainable,
the jury decided that it was a case of sui
eide, and shaped their verdict accordingly.
A good many ugly rumors were ahoat
however, as to the manner in which
Hawkes. met his death. The authori-
ties, in view OF these facts, decided
60 impauel a second jury aud
hold another inquest. They found that
Hawkes. came to his death from bullet
fired from pistol in the hands OF a party
or parties unknown. The dead mans wife
was, it is said, unfaithful to her marriage
vows This, some assert, is an explanation
of the whole affair. A great many people
view the conduct Of Julia Hawkes. and her
mother-ln-law most suspiciously, while
Others boldly assert that when the actual
facts in the case come out white man will
be found more or less mixed up in the af-
fair.