Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-11
SAVED BY PRAYER.

SAVED BY PRAYER.
How Jesse James Happened to Spare a
Doomed Mans Life.
from the Kansas City MALL
The famous detective, Pinkerton, has
given the James boys the name CT being
blood-thirsty wretcbes, 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 a Mat re-
porter last evening, which goes to show
that there was, at one time at least,
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 a portion of
Mrs. Samuels' farm. He rented so
MANY acres from the old lady, and the
renter and Mrs. Samuels fattened
beef in co-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 OF
passion said to Mrs. Samuels, "You are
a. liar" The old lady, looking
straight at him, said, II shall tell JESSE
about this" and, turning on her heels,
went to the house. The next day, az
Mrs. Samuels' tenant was standing in
the road in front of his house, convers-
ing with a Mr.. Chancellor, of Clay
county, noise was heard in the corn
field adjoining, and in O few minutes
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 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 SECT 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
O widow.
Turning to the trembling man before
him, Jesse said: "Get down on your
knees and ask forgiveness for your sins
before I kill you
Dropping down on his knees in the
middle of the public road the man Of
fered up such a prayer to Almighty
God as was never heard in the old
county of Clay. The gentleman pres
ent, an unwilling spectator to the af-
fair, said he never heard such a touch
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 times
at Jesse, who with drawn pistol sat
sternly on his horse looking at the sup
plant before him. Before the prayer
was concluded the stern lines upon
Jesse's face seemed to relax from their
wonted severity, and hope dawned
upon the mind Of the gentleman that
Jesse would relent from his stern pur-
pose.
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 CT suppl
cation had touched the better chords of
Jesse's heart, and the demon within
linn was subdued. Addressing the still
kneeling man, he said: II ought to kill
you, but for the sake of your wife will
give you six hours to get out of this
country. Be quick, before I change my
mind"
The reprieved man rose to his feet
and poured out such q touching volume
Of thankful gratitude that the gentle
man present was moved to tears, and he
wept like a child. Jesse, apparently
stern and unmoved, listened until he
was through, and then motioned him
away, gathered up the lines OF his bride
and disappeared in the field. The man
fastened into his house, and the joyful
meeting with his wife upon the thresh-
old 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 all
their effects were loaded into wagons
and going in the direction OF more
friendly shores.
Mr.. Chancellor says that he firmly be-
Ieves that the beautiful prayer offered
by the man was what saved his life.