The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1872-10-11
Rev. Peter Cartwright.

known Methodist preachers IN America
died .on the 22d ult., at his homo, near
Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county, ILL.,
Peter Cartwright was eight, seven years
old lie was native Of Amherst county,
Va. and was born in 1885, two wears
after the clo~e Of the Revolutionary War.
While be- was still a child his parents re-
moved with him to Kentucky. His early
years were spent in that wild frontier
land, where the war whoop Of the savage
often aroused his father and hi neigh.
bors to the defence of their Lives and
homes. Peter was scarcely sixteen years
old when he was converted by an timer
ant preacher. aud became member of
the Methodist Episcopal church. The
event determined the career Of his whole
life. lie conceived the idea that he had
been called tn preach the gospel in the
wilderness. and almo,t Immediately he
entered upon that duty. In hi autob-
cgraphy, published about fifteen years
ago, he related many interesting and Of
ten amusing incidents Of his labors in the
backwoods. Like many Of the men Of
his time and section, he had an iron CON
stitution and strongly marked indiyidu'
ality, and was bold courageous, and
Jealous worker. lie feared neither man
nor devil, and for is cause was ready
at any time to fight both if they -tood
in his way. His speech was homely,
but earnest, and went straight to the
hearts of hi, rough audiences He was
heard to say a few years ago that he had
received into the church no fewer than
1000 persons, aud that in his long ca
reer he hld prel,he II, 30 -ermIn'.
In the early pioneer days ne va, natu-
rally met some hard characters. who, in
stisatcd by ythendversary, would cndeavor
to bring disgrace upon him. He tells in
his autobiography that once a brutal fell
low threatened To- ''whip" him. Peter said,
We'll sir, | never like to live in dread. II
YOU really intend to whip me, come and
do it now" The man continued to buster,
whcreupon the fighting preacher, dis-
mounting from hi. horse, walked up to
him and said, "Now, sir, you have 10
whip me, as you threatened, or stop ours
ing me, or ! will put ynu in. the river
and baptize you in the name of the devil,
/ for surely YOU belong to him." This
cowed the bully. An anecdo,e is also
related which illustrates HE singular bold
ness and Independence. He was preach
ing before the Nashville Conference, when
the tinie-serving clergyman whose pulpit
he occupied, seeing General jackson
standing in the aisle, leaned over and
said in loud whisper, General Jackson
has cnme in, General jackson has come
/ in. "Who is General Jackson cried
| Cartwright in voice of thunder, "If he
don't get his soul converted God will
damn him as quick as he would a Guinea
negro" This did not convert Old flick-
ory at the time, but it commanded his
respect for his monitor, and be treated
him with the greatest consideration ever
afterwards.
Mr.. Cartwright was first appointed II
presid ng elder IN 1912. He spent eight
wears in the Old Western Conference,
four years in the Kenucky Conference,
eight years in the Tennessee Conference,
and over forty years in the lliinnis
Conference He held at different times
many of the most importan, Offices in the
church, and was delegate to General Con
ference thirteen time. In 1883 and 1888,
in the absence of the Bishop, he was l'resi-
dent of the Conference. 1t is recorded
of him that in all the year. of his minis
try he was never discuntinued, located,
or supeannuated, and was never dis
missed for time for mi,demeanors oi
any kind. In 1856 he published the story
of his life in volume entitled Auto
biography of Peter Cartwright, the
Back woods Preacher" The book had
a wide circulation and made the old man
better known in the East, where he sci
dom had visited. During the last few
years the feebleness of advanced year,
Frustrated him, AMI it was only few
months ago that his death was prema'
turely announced.