Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-01
Mrs Van Cott Takes q Revolver from Man Who
Was Going TO Murder His Family
Ernnn the Chica gn Post

FROM lne CnlcagO fott
Mrs. Van Cott has been spending portion
Of the last month in earnest efforts for the
Outstanding of sundry towns and villages
in Pennsylvania. Among these places is the
village of Freedom, in York county, where
she met with marked success, and held en-
thusiastic meetings. One evening, while
canvassing the house for repentant sinners.
she noticed a middle-aged man. the stolid
expression of whose face attracted her atten-
ton and excited her curiosity; so, in her
usual magnetic manner, she approached him
and asked him whether he would not like to
follow in the path of the righteous. No
answer could she gain, and with an audible
prayer of May God drive the dumb devil
out Of you, my brother" she passed on to
interview more impressible subjects.
Two nights passed, and the stranger again
appeared at the church but this time his
eyes were lighted up with an almost mani
acal glitter, and his countenance seemed the
play ground of the liyeliest emotions. Quick
ly approaching the altar, he knelt among the
sobbins and shouting ones, and as the reli
gious shepherdess drew near he asked her if
she knew him. "Why. yes, you re the man
who had the dumb devil, the other night
she replied. He then begged of her the
privilege of saying few words, and, the re-
quest being granted, he arose and, deliberate
II drawing revolver from his breast, held
1t aloit In thrilling, dramatic manner,
while he told the history Of his life to the
eager listeners. He was a resident of Chicago,
where he had for many years followed his
profession Of photographer. For the last
&, h. l.,l g. F., h.
Of right and yirtuous living, and, as conse-
quence of his dissipation and debauchery,
his wife had deserted him and returned to
his friends in PENNSYLVANIA. taking his three
children with her. Driven TO frenzy by this.
he sank still lower. and lower, until. as if
the tiendishneSs of hell itself possessed him,
he had purchased this weapon of death and
started for the East, determined TO murder
his wife and children, and then put an end
to his own miserable existence. Only two
nights before, he sat in that church looking
for his wife, and gloating over the fendish
plot. The words then spoken to him mad
aroused his almost lost manhood, and falling
again on his knees he desired Mrs. Van COtt
10 pray for him. She spoke at once, extend
ing her hand toward him, "Child, give me
that, and with the meekness of a child he
handed her the weapon, and then feeling
in his pocket produced box of cartridges,
which he also placed in her hand. The
strange sight was then presented Of the wo-
man reyivalist holding in one hand a seven
shooter, and in the other box Of death
dealing missiles, while she offered to Heaven
an earnest prayer for the the saving of this
brand from the burning. As Mrs Van Cott
finished telling the incident, she said
"Neyer before in my life did feel such power
in prayer, and never before did offer up a
petition to my Heavenly Father under such
strange circumstances. The next day,
the man, clothed in his right mind, and hap
py in heart, sought the injured wife effected
and another will soon be add
ed % the list of hannY homes in Chicago.