This is an tragic story of the deaths of Andrew Norman Hopkins and his son Constantine Alex Hopkins. Account taken from Annals of Travis County by Frank Brown, from the collection of the Austin History Center.

Tragedy.–On July 9, 1863, an awful tragedy took place in Austin. The principals

concerned were Col. Andrew N. Hopkins and Theodore D. Ormsby.

Col. Hopkins came from Tennessee to Texas in 1839, and settled in Lamar County. At the beginning of the Mexican War, in 1846, he went out as adjutant in Col. Burland’s command from East Texas. Upon the expiration of his term of service he returned home. While on his way from Mexico passed through Austin, stopping awhile. Admiring the town and surrounding country, he concluded to make his home at the

capital. He proceeded to East Texas and brought his family to Austin, where he permanently settled in 1847. Hopkins, by profession was a a contractor and builder. He resided there until his death.

Mr. Ormsby was from Alabama to Austin in the middle of the ’50s being employed most of the time as a department clerk. Early in the civil war he went east and joined the army. Obtaining a furlough he came back to Austin in the summer of 1863, remaining a few weeks, seemingly upon no particular business. He acted in his accustomed way, as if nothing special was on his mind. On the day mentioned,

Ormsby loaded a double barreled shot gun with live shot, or slugs, and went to East Pecan Street, where Hopkins kept a shop. He, (H.) was, at that time, a dealer in furniture, and also did an undertaking business. His shop was in a frame house where Morley’s drug store formerly stood. Hopkins was working at a bench when Ormsby stepped from the side walk into the front door, and discharged both barrels into Hopkins’ right side, producing a large hole in his body. Hopkins lingered an hour or two, and expired.

After delivering the shot, Ormsby mounted a horse he had hitched near by, and leisurely rode north up Brazos street, and then turned west on Seventh street. The old Wahrenberger home then stood at the corner of the Avenue and Seventh, a two story frame building.

Constantine A. Hopkins, eldest son of A. N. Hopkins, instantly learning of Ormsby’s deed, ran up the east sidewalk of the Avenue, between Sixth and Seventh, pistol in hand (which he had grabbed from some one of the side walk) in pursuit of Ormsby. While riding along Brazos and Seventh streets, Ormsby discharged his gun at him. The shot missed him and struck in the forehead an instantly killed a German youth,

about eighteen years old, who was running up the walk to see the expected encounter. Ormsby raised to shoot again, whereupon Hopkins, who was just in front of the youth, dodged through a front door into the restaurant on the corner. Ormsby (still on horseback) reserved his fire. About this time he had advanced a few paces into the

Avenue. As Hopkins appeared at a north window to make observation, Ormsby fired, shooting side-ways from the left shoulder. The load struck Hopkins in the bowels, and he fell and instantly expired.

Thus three persons were fatally shot, one afternoon, within fifteen minutes. The father and son were buried together next day.

After shooting young Hopkins, Ormsby rode up the Avenue in a walk, meantime reloading his gun, and left the country. His horse did not break a walk as long as he was in sight. Ormsby went east and died a few years after.

The origin of the tragedy is not certainly known. It is quite certain that Hopkins anticipated no trouble. In fact, it was known that shortly before the killing Ormsby and Hopkins had met a few times, and that the former had exhibited no animosity towards him; had greeted him in a friendly manner, as he had been accustomed to do

aforetime. It was said that Hopkins was a man of courage, willing to meet any one upon equal terms. It is evident that he was put entirely off his guard.