The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-17
SAVED BY PRAYER.
How Noted Outlaw Happened to Spare
Doomed Mans Life.


| aDcomed Mans Life.
The famous detective, Pinkerton, has
given the James boys the name of be-
ing blood-tbirsty wretches, who could
never be moved from their purpose oil
killing, when once they made up their
mind.
A gentleman from Clay county, how
ever, related one instance to Mail re-
porter which goes to show that there
was. at one time at least, tender spot
in the heart of jesse
The story, as told by the gentleman,
is that two years ago u man, together
with his family, lived on portion OF
Mrs. Samuel's farm. He rented so many
acres from the cid lady, and the renter
and Mrs. Samuels fattened beef in
co-partnership. When the beef was
killed they fell out over a division of
the spoils. Each claimed the hide and
tallow. The dispute over this waxed
warm until the man in heat of pas
sion said to Mrs. Samuels, " You are
an old liar.n The old lady, looking
straight at him, said, Tshall tell Jesse
about this" and, turning on her heels,
went to the house. The next day, as
Mrs. Samuel's tenant was standing in
the road in front OF his house convers-
| ing with q Mr.. Chancellor, of Clay
county, a noise was heard in the corns
! field adjoining, and in few minutes a
horse and rider jumped the rail fence
and jesse James stood in the presence
of the man who had insulted his mother
At sight of Jesse the man turned as pale
rs death and looked as if he were about
to sink to the eartl.~
Riding close to him, Jesse said: "Did
not you know that l would kill you for
the language you used toward my
mother? If you have anything to say
do it quickly, for you have only short
time to live"
Just at this time the wife of the ap-
parently doomed man came screaming
out of the house begging Jesse not to
kill her husband. With stern COM
mand of get back into the house,
madame, quick" the woman went in
weeping bitterly, and with strained
nerves she awaited the dread crack of
Jesse's revolver, which would make her
IL widow.
Turning to the trembling man before
him, Jesse said: "Get down on your
knees and ask forgiveness for your
sins before l kill you"
Dropping down on his knees in the
middle of the public road the man
offered up such a prayer to Almighty
| God as was never heard in the old
county of Clay. Tho gentleman present,
an unwilling spectator to the affair,
said he never card such a touching and
beautiful prayer in his life. With the
tears streaming down his face the man
beseeched the Almighty to receive his
soul and take care of his children and
wife, soon to be without father or hus-
band. Mr.. Chancellor, during the
prayer, glanced several times at jesse,
who with drawn pistol sat sternly ON
his horse looking at the supplicant be-
fore him. Before the prayer was con-
cluded the stern lines upon Jesse's face
seemed to relax from their wonted Sc
verify, and hope dawned upon the mind
of the gentleman that Jesse would re-
lent from his stern purpose.
At the conclusion of the prayer the
man closed his eyes and awaited the ex-
pected shot that would send him to
eternity. But he was not destined to
die. The beautiful words of supplica-
ton had touched the better chords OF
Jesse's heart, and the demon within
him was subdued. Addressing the
kneeling man he said: al ought to
kill you, but for the sake of your wife,
l will give you six hours to get out OF
this county. Be quick, before l change
my mind"
The reprieved man arose to his feet
and poured out such touching volume
of thankful gratitude that the gentle
man present was moved to tears, and he
wept like q child. Jesse, apparently
stern and unmoved, listened until he
was through, and then motioned him
away, gathered up the lines of his bri-
die and disappeared in the field. The
man hastened into his house, and the
joyful meeting with his wife upon the
threshold of the door was an occasion
never to be forgotten.
In less than the time given by Jesse
to leave, the man, his family and al
their effects were loaded into wagons
and going in the direction of more
friendly shores.
Mr.. Chancellor says that he firmly be.
lieves that the beautiful prayer offered
by the man was what saved his life
Kansas city (Mo.) Mail.