The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-11-16
LETTER FROM BELL COUNTY.
Bolton, TEXAS, Nov. IL, 1882.

Bolton, TEXAS, Nov. IL, 1882.
Bell county has been noted for some
years past for its extreme religious views,
or, perhaps, more properly speaking, the
extreme religious views OF some OF Its in-
habitants. Only few years ago DR..
Russell was taken out and severely pun
ished because he was prominent among q
number who disbelieved In the ins ira.
ton of the scriptures and the existence
of God. But a few months ago the
Dow brothers were similarly treated be-
cause they had too much reli-
gion. mention these instances
TO show that some people here
either extreme. l may add as evidence
that such treatment does not meet the APP
pr, val OF the better class, that DIR. Russell
still lives In this county and Is doing
lucrative practice, and that the Dow
brothers, who are carpenters, live In this
city and are getting all the work they can
do.
did not. however, begin to raise from
the dead the ghosts OF the past, but rather
reference to the sanctificationists.
For some years past there has
of fanatical religionlsts who claim to be
sanctifed. DO not undertake to give
their religious views in full, but may
say that they believe they can commit no
sin, and that IL is wrong for u sanctified
person to live with an unsanctitied one.
This last doctrine has caused the separa-
ton of several husbands and wives and
no little comm0tIon In other circles. This
fanatIcism Is now chiefly confined to
ladies. and, be It said to th6lr
credit that whatever else may be said
against them, the breath OF Islander
has never breathed anything aga INST
Ii ri.
band has been guilty OF numerous lndis-
cIetions and follles which has justly
brought down on their heads the wrath
of the community. They claim to work
together for their own good and the BEN
eft of their cause. Frequently II hap
Pens that u wife is sanctihed, whose hus-
band Is of very worldly nature. Such
unequal y0king nearly always produces
u Jar In the family relations. Several sep
arations have occurred on account of 1t.
AS said before this band works to-
gether, and among other industries they
have tried to establish u laundry. Among
others who belong to this band is the
wife OF a prominent merchant. She con-
cluded to turn their residence, which Is
an elegant one. into q laundry for the
good OF the cause The husband OBJ
jected but the sanctified band assembled
there anyhow. He attempted to eject
them, and there ensued battle
that was more humorous than Sc
rous. He finally got them away, and
as n matter Of protection had fourteen
OF them arrested on 8 charge OF
assault. They gave bond, and when the
case was called yesterday IL was eOntin-
ued by the state. In the courtroom some
rough words passed between the prose
cutting witness and the husband of the
leader of the sanctitied band, who Is not
In sympathy with IL, but was protecting
his wife, as he thought. The difficulty
was quoted there. They afterwards met
on the street, and came to blows, but were
separated before any damage was done.
Great excitement prevails in town over
the arrest of the sanctifed sisters and the
difficulty above mentioned. Nearly all
are opposed to the sanctificationists and
hope the society may be broken up, yet
all regret the unfortunate difficulty above
mentioned. Unquestionably the sanctiti-
cationists have done much harm here and
It would be God send to this commune
ty IL IL could rid itself OF them.