Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-03-06
The Last Explicit of the Rev. Peter Cart
wright.
Correspondence of the St. Louis Republican

Correspondence OF the st. Louis Republican,
CARRoLLTON, ILL, Feb. 10, 1872.
From the report of the present illness of
the pioneer preacher, Rev. Peter Cart
wright, we may infer that he has con-
fronted the flesh and the deviln for the
last time, and that he will soon go to the
region where hardships are unknown
Should this be the case, his last character
istic exploit will prove an item of interest
to your readers, especially as it has local"
Cartwright visited st. Louis to preach
the dedicatory sermon for new
church either in the city or vicini-
ty. After filling his appointment,
carpet-sack in hand, he wended his way
back to the river, and crossed, expecting
to take the train for Springfield or Jack
sonville. At East st Louis he ascertained
that he had mistaken the time and was
too late. The jaunt with his carpet-sack
had quite enfeebled him, and he did not
desire to retrace his steps to the city.
Hence he addressed all the parties in the
depot (by speaking loud enough to elicit
an answee from any one present with the
enquiry: " Is there's Methodist preacher
in this town." Some one replied, mo,
lis there Methodist family in town."
No one knew. as there a decent
house in the town, where man
could put up for the night" To this last
inquiry he was kindly admonished that he
had better return to the city. At this a
sprightly-looking young man generously
proffered to assist him with his carpet-sack
in returning, and the old gentleman sig
nitied his assent. Once more he and his
new found friend were comfortably seated
on the ferryboat. When the Captain
came round for the fare Uncle Peter depos-
tied a dime in his hand, remarking at the
time that he would pay for the young
man with his carpet sack, and pointing to
him A'Ia fhig the fallOxr xzyhn
your carpet-sack ?" asked the Captain.
Yes" said Cartwright, well"
promptly responded the boatman, "he's
a pickpOcket, and has no business with
it" Come here with that carpet
sack" Numbered out the veteran, they
tell me you're thief!n or course the
young man deposited" and "skedad-
died" The Captain then offered to
take charge of the wallet, but was repuls-
ed with the words: "No, you're a thief
too, and I'll man my own vessel ~ How
ever the old man stepped from the boat
and the Captain thinking he would still bt
beset by the pickpocket, again offered to
assist him to carry the sack TO the hotel
as they were both going to the Planters
NO" said he, "Ill take care of my plum.
der, but you may show me the way to the
hotel II you WILL On arriving there the
Captain prevailed upon him to pass hil
carpet sack into the hands of tn,
clerk, VINO poitely requested thai
he should register" AS the veteran wa.
much enfeebled and Eltigued at the mo
ment, he asked the Captain to write hi
name" Peter Cartwright" peter Cart
wrightW exclaimed the Captain, i'm as
constituent. care you the old presiding
elder, Peter Cartwright, of Illinois, Why
sir, hope you will forgive me if hav,
in any way offended you In my conduct =
MY name is Peter Cartwright, and 10
Saint Peter! can forgive no mans sins
but you had better 20 TO God and get then
forgiven, or you will go TO the devil sure.
This is as near as the writer can Teeollec
the story as 1t was narrated to his sOn-in
law, In this city, on the day after the ex
ploit, by the old hero himself