Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-06-03
A Crazy Fanatic.

heard him at Hallowell, now the town of Kennebec.
This in the year 1918. He tall, lank pale,
deathly looking man, with long white hair floating
over his shoulders. His name was Wells-and he
generally went by the name of odd Wells"
He called himself trav-dil-ing (not traveling)
preacher. He would travel with staff, on foot,
often by night, and appear the next morning in
new place, and surprise family after family, very
early in the morning, before they were up, by sud-
denly opening their doors and exclaming in a
strain of terror, you are going to hell"
Again, he would walk through the streets with
his pantaloons rolled up, his coat off, and swing
ing his arms and singing in loud voice.
$50 serve the Lord -go serve the Lord
Go serve the Lord in a righteous way"
His articulation was not very good, and his knowl-
edge of the English language none of the best and
the word righteous" he was sure in singing, to
always pronounce ri-ot-ous-thus-
$50 serve the Lord in a ri-ot-ous way"
and this, indeed, seemed to be has way of serving
the Lord. He gathered boys and rowdies around
him, which produced disorder wherever he went.
When he entered school house or church to
preach, he would strip off his coat, toss his hat
amongst the people, spit on his hands, clench his
fists, and proclaim that he had now come for to
fight the devil"
He never confined himself to pulpit or desk,
but preached walking or striding along the aisles
and over the benches of the house, stopping very
abruptly to shout hell in the ear of some person he
wished to frighten or convert.
We recollect that in Haowell young man
who was too rude to stay on shore and had been
sent to sea for the improvement of his manners,
was at the meeting. Whether his voyages on the
sea had benefited his manners or not, we cannot
tell suffice it to say that he was a wag, and, had
determined to have some sport at the expense of
"Old Wells" He took a seat at the end of a bench
where the preacher would be sure to pass by when
Travelling.
In due time the meeting began. The house was
broad-brim, and screamed HE'LL at the top of his
voice He then proceeded to " serve the Lord in a
ri-ot-ous way" as usual.
His sermon abounded in visions he had SEEN
dreams he had had, ghosts that had appeared to
him, &c. The young man of whom we have spo-
ken, chose to sit leaning forward with both hands
covering his eyes, and occasionally drawing a
long sigh. The sight and sound soon caught the
attention of the great revvalist, and with bound
from the pulpit, he rushed to the seat; seized
Aaron by the hair of his head, and raised it so
that he might look into his face, and vociferously
demanded
Young man! what is the matter with you?"
Aaron replied only with a groan.
Wells asked AGAIN.
Young man say what ails you?"
"Oh-not much of anything"
"But 1 know there is-the spirit of the Lord is
at work on your heart; now tell just how you
feel-tell it all just as it is"
Another groan.
At this the old man began to jump with joy,
clap his hands, and then he demanded that the
young man should tell him just what made him
groan so.
swell, if must tell, must--I had a dreadful
dream last night"
"O-o-o-h" exclaimed old Wells, there is a
great deal in dreams-the Lord often appears to
me in dreams and visions of the night; tell what
you dreamed"
81 dreamed was sick and died."
"O-o-o-h! and where did you CO."
81 thought went to hell"
"O-o-o-oh! it's true dream /; well, what did
you see there? 2"
~ saw fiery throne, and great black devil
sat on it,"
"O-o-o-Oh! true dream! every word ont.
Well what next?"
"A little devil approached the throne and said
Father when will you send me out into the world
to deceive the nationsq"
"O-o-o-ohI! true as Scripter! there are a
great many deceivers in the airth what did the
devil answers"
"He said-'g along off, you little profane imp
Ihave got old Wells out in the world at work, and
he is enough to fill hellr"
You hsi you he" screamed old Wells, ats a
false dream--theres not a word of truth int"
The last ever seen of old Wells in Hallowell, was
his coattail.