Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-07-02
Veteran Defending the Stars and
SeripcS.

\ correspondent of the San Francisco
(hronicie, writing from San Louis Obispo,
relates the following:
On last May day, at II picnic held in grove
near CayucOs, San Luis Obispo county, man
by the name of Parks, Southern Methodist
preacher, said something that came near i'm
mortalizing him. On entering the grove he
saw the Stars and Stripes floating in the
breeze, and he said, in tones loud enough to
be heard by those around him, ''Thcre, if it
was not for that rag flying yonder, through
which have shot many hole, we might
enjoy ourselves to-day" lu saying this,
Parks echoed the sentiments Of some few
who. like himself, forgot the rebellion is over
| took exceptions to the remark. The day was
spent cnjoyably. Notwithstanding the rag. ="
! and nothing more was heard of the affair un-
| til last Sunday.
1t appears thai Il man 10y the name of Mil
lcr, living at Molvo bay, made up his mind
to remind the dsloyal leader of the innocent
that he resides in America, and has c0nsc-
qucntly no right to show in public any disre-
spcct to the tlag. This Miller had been q SOL
dier under the tiag. lie is pensionel, hay
ing been shot and terribly wounded during
the war. On hearing that Parks was to preach
in the school house 1t MORO, Miller folded
large flag under his arm an hour before SER
vice, and spread its folds over the blackboard
directly in the rear of the pulpit.
The preacher came ut the appointed time.
On entering the door his lip curled. his eyes
flashed indignantly, and his whole appearance
indicated that something besides prayer VAS
in his heart.
Miller. the soldier, sat in his seat. firm as
Young howitzer, watching the enemy.
The preacher came in with party at whose
house he had been eating rOOsters. and ON
seeing the American ensign, said:
"Who put that rag up there: Ill tear it
down..
And upon this he proceeded to the stand,
intent on carrying his threat into execution.
Miller arose and told the gospel man he had
better let that little job out. 1t was the
American flag, and if he preached in that
house he must do it under the Stars and
Stripes.
Another party, in sympathy with tho
preacher. rushed forward ut this, retnarking
that he would tear the internal rag down.
Miller said to him: mir. -, have fought
| under that flag; it is my country's flag; l am
loyal man, and tell you not to touch that
ensign. That dag shall not come down to-
day except over my dead body.
The enrsged gentleman backed out. His
vile tOOugnt sue WOuIu tAhc naHu. QUO
said with emphasis, and in . piping voice,
"I'H tear the thing down."
The gallant hero who had defeated the
whole outfit thus far, did not swerve even in
the face of female battery. He told the
lady she had better 20 home to her babies,
and then shut the door in her face. The entire
field was now left to the brave Miller.
The praying party went down into MORO:
Parks asked who put that ''rag" in the school
house. A man told him that it really didn't
matter. He presumed that it was the senli-
ment of the good people of Moro, and if he
didn't like it he could emigrate.
Thus ended the latest victory of the Union
forces. Preacher Parks had better sell out
his small interest in the Christian cause and
60 to herding grasshoppers. The affair Las
created sensation throughout San Luis Obsl-
p0 county.