Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-04-06
A YOUTHFUL
RObber Reclaimed,
by ALLEN NJ. SCOTT.

on these lines, and who first saw th5
sweet ligh:' in Tennessee or Kentucky,
will remember the Rev. John Craig
This gentleman was Of the Methodist
persuasion, of the original Asbury school,
and he, like most others of that denomi.
cation at the time to which we allude,
was noted alike for the plainness Of his
dress, and strict walk and reproof of
sin in what form soevcr it made its ap.
pearance, and under any and all ciIcum-
stances.
MIR. Craig was owe of the frs, preach.
ers to visit the section called Middle
Tennessee, now so populous and pow
erful. but then (lS0I) mere wilder
ness. He was an iiinerant. His cir
cult extended from Powell's Valley, cas-,
OF the mountains, to the extreme west
|esn settlements OH the Cumberland and
Qock rivers. The settlements of the
white men were STEW and far betwcen;"
|ne 1ie roads had been established
thoe1 mt neighborhoods were con-
nected 30iy by faint traces, which were
but seldom travelled.
Mr.. G.. was exposed to many hard
chips. He lay down on hard beds, slep,
in open cabins, and shared many scan
ty repast. Blu. he was man of euer.
gy, and his zeal never tagged or grew
weary. He felt the importance of his
mission. and urged on by his zeal in his
Masters cause, and the good of souls,
lie waded SHOWS and floods, braved the
fury of the winds, surmoun,ed all diff.
culties. and carried the glad .idings OF
salvation TO the new settlers.
The writer was born in Middle Ten.
nessee, and although mere child when
he last saw Mr.. Craig, his image is as
flesh in his mind as the events of yes
,erday.
In 1890, Rev. Mr.. G. came, late one
evening. to my fathers. and passed the
night at our house. During the even.
ing, after family prayers had been offer
ed by him, before retiring to bed, he gave
to my father, in my presence. narra-
tive, which was in substance, the fol
lowing:-
Many years before, Mr.. Craig was
passing from East Tennessee to the
Duck river country. His way led him
along dim path through mountain
pass, amid craggy rocks. near awful
precipices and frigh,ful chasms. Sud.
denly young man sprang from huge
rock. and with heavy rifle presented
at Mr.. Craig, demanded his money.
Mr.. G. regarded The robber with a look
of discrimination peculiar 10 himself, as
he reined up his horse and said:
"Young man, you never robbed be-
fore. What has brought you to ,his!'
The robber again demanded his mon
ey, threatening instant death if the 9TH
er did not comply.
Mr.. Craig answered:
This is your frs, attempt. You've
been better raised! Your mother"
Instantly the young nan dashed down
his gun and burst into tears, saying that
indeed he had been taugh, better things.
And he cried most bitterly.
Mr.. Craig tied his horse to limb,
alighted and invited the trembling youth
to be seated near him on a fiat rock
The young man instantly complied, when
Mr.. Craig, in mild and engaging man.
ner, asked him how he had happened 10
become rebber.
The other told him that he had been
raised in Virginia-his parents were in
easy circumstances in life, and members
of the Presbvterian church-thas they
had educated him righteously, and law
ished on him all the affections character
is,ic of parental love. About eighteen
months since, he had married against
their viii. and with his young and love-
ly wife, he had made his way into this
new and unsettled country. His parents
had given him no assistance, and having
but little on which to commence life, and
falling sick, Without money, friends or
credit, both he and his wife had we'll
nigh starved. In the depths OF his dis
,ress, he had. as las, alternative, resolv-
ed to make one robbery, only one, and
afterwards live honestly.
Mr.. Craig, in the spirit OF love, point.
ed out his error. He told him that he
should have gone to his Heavenly Faith.
er, and made known his wants-that his
tender mercies are over all his works,
and mons that trust in him shall ever
want. The young man was all tears
all penitence.
Mr.. Craig arose. went to his horse,
and taking off his saddle.bags, said
III TOO am poor. ! own no foot OF
land-no cottage in the wilderness is
mine. | have but lhirty-one dollars in
the world, and reserving one dollar only,
in the name OF the 'Giver of all good,
l present you with thirty dollars
Take this little sum, as one sent from
Heaven, and God and his angels are
Witnesses that you promise amendment
in future lfe."
Mr.. Craig then prayed with and fog
the astonished young man, and took an
afectionate leave.
~
Thirty long years have elapsed
West Tennessee is no more wilderness.
The pale face had felled the forest.--
The red man had Quilted his hunting
grounds. and they were chequered of
into thousand fields. Mr.. Craig was
now an old man. His locks were white