The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-15
SAVED BY PRAYER.
How Jesse James Happened to Spare .
Doomed Mans Life.
IFrom the Kansas City MALL

OOOmeO mans Lilo.
IFrom the Kansas City Mail.I
The famous detective, Pinkerton, has
given the James boys the name Of being
blood-thirsty wretches, who could
never be moved from their purpose of
killing, when once they made up their
mind.
A gentleman from Clay county, how
ever, related one instances TO Mail re-
porter last evening, which goes to show
that there was, at one time at least,
a tender spot In the heart of Jessie.
The story, as told by the gentleman,
is that, two years ago, a man, together
with his family, lived on portion of
Mrs. Samuels' farm. He rented so
many acres from the old lady, and the
renter and Mrs. Samuels fattened a
beef in partnership. When the beef
was killed they fell out over division
of the spoils, each claiming the hide
and tallow. The dispute over this
waxed warm until the man in heat o.
passion said to Mrs. -Samuels, "You are
a. liar" The old lady, looking
straight at him, said, 81 shall tell Jessf
about this" and, turning on her heels
went to the house. The next day, as
Mrs. Samuels' tenant was standing in
the road in front of his house, convers-
ing with a MIR. Chancellor, of Clay
county, noise was heard in the corn
field adjoining, and in a 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 the sight of jesse the man turned
as pale as death and looked as if he
were about to sink to the earth.
Riding close to him, Jesse said :
did not you know that I would kill
you for the language you used toward
my mother? If you have anything to
say do it quickly, for you have only a
short time to i've"
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. 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 hel
a widow.
Turning to the trembling man before
him, Jesse said: SECT down on your
knees and ask forgiveness for your sins
before kill you"
Dropping down on his knees in the
middle of the public road the man of
fered up such prayer to Almighty
God as was never heard In the old
county of Clay. The gentleman pres
ent, an unwilling spectator to the af
e., cos1 IA, hno ri o11ah @frr1 ot,.
ing and beautiful prayer in his life
With the tears streaming down his face
the man besaught the Almighty to re
ceive his soul and take care of his chill
dren and wife, soon to be without ,
father or husband. Mr.. Chancellor
during the prayer glanced several time'
at Jesse, who with drawn pistol sa
sternly on his horse looking at the sup
plant before hina.-Beforc the pray
was concluded the stern lines upo1
Jesse's face seemed to relax from thei
wonted severity, and hope dawnet
upon the mind of the gentleman tina
Jesse would relent from his stern pur
pose.
At the conclusion of the prayer th'
man closed his eyes and awaited the ex
pected shot that would send him tt
eternity. But he was not destined t,
die. The beautiful words CT suppli
cation had touched the better chords o
Jesse's heart, and the demon within
him was subdued. Addressing the stil
kneeling man, he said: ought to xii
you, but for the sake of your wife Wi
give you six hours to get out of thi
country. Be quick, before I change m.
mind"
The reprieved man rose to his fee
and poured out such q touching volrim
of thankful gratitude that the gentle
man present was moved to tears, and
wept like a child. Jesse, apparentl
stern and unmoved, listened until b,
was through, and then motioned hir
away, gathered up the lines of his bridl
and disappeared in the field. The ma
hastened into his house, and the joyfr
meeting with his wife upon the thresl
old of the door was an occasion neve
to be forgotten.
In less than the time given by Jess
to leave, the man, his family, and a
their effects were loaded into wagon
and going in the direction of NOR
friendly shores.
Mr.. Chancellor says that he firmly bt
ieves that the beautiful prayer offere