The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-19
CONVERTING BUzzARps.
Praying for Outlaws in a Wild, Weird Log
Cabin on the Welsh Mountain.

Praying for Outlaws in a Wild, Weird Log
Cabin on the Welsh Mountain.
New Holland tPa.) Special.
For some time past the good people of Cones
toga and Pequea valleys have been discussing
the project of converting the Buzzard band of
outlaws, and the many thieves infesting the
Welsh Mountains. Rev. j. S. Lame, pastor of
the Honey Brook Methodist Episcopal Church,
and Price q. Supplee, a prominent nurseryman,
undertook the pioneer missionary labor by dis
tributing tracts among the denizens of Brier-
town, Lousetown, 'the Sassafras," and 'the
landlords" These localities are occupied by
squatters. Two meetings were duly announced
for open public service, and the last one was
held in the colored meeting-h house near 1.-The
Handboards,' a weird, arid spot on the top of
the Welsh Mountains, near the main road cross
ing the mountain. The Westinghouse is "a log
building with a high stoop in front. The build
ing proper rests on logs driven into the ground.
The room is fifteen by eighteen feet, and lighted
up with cheap oil lamps and candles in tin hold
ers. Into this room assembled a motley gather
ing, the white and black denizens of fthe Sassa-
fras," and other localities above named. At first
Messrs. Lame and Supplee were looked upon as
detectives 10y these rough and sturdy mountain
GERS, because all strangers are looked upon as
officers of the law. When they were assured
that all was straight, they attended without fear.
1t is said that Abe Buzzard was there, together
with Frankfort, the desperate jail-breaker, and
that both men took parti n the service. Abe Buzz
zard has a reputation for good singing and en-
NnASidStlC pray bSs UCCduSb II 10 Il notorious IaCC
that he took part in prayer meetings on the
Ephrata hills when his band was carving on
the most desperate r~obberies ever mmitt in
this section of the State, Both Buzzard and
Frankiord kept in the background at the meet
ing, aid only a few knew Of their actual pres
ence. 1--WE don't want it reported to the
officers that Abe and Frankfort are attending
these meetings. said a rough-looking back
woodsman. "lf it's found out. the detectives
might try to scoop EN- in in open meeting. If
they do that, Lord help the innocent people. l
know there will be shooting, because Abe and
Frankford carry four revolvers apiece in their
belts, and they will fight to death.">
These mountain meetings will be continued.
There is no burglary going on now, but the PEG
pie in both valleys do not have much confidence
In relig ion among the Buzzard outlaws.
Mr.. E. ID. Kutz. of this place, returned from
the mountain today. and he stated that a search
ing party stopped at a frame shantv on the
brow of a hill. A tall, well-formed man held
their horse. They found nothing. When fftv
wards away the man coolly told them he was
.She Buzzard, but they rapidly drove away.
Auctioneer Jacob Werfel and drever Jacob
Keller, both of this place. were crossing the
mountain and were stopped by the outlaw,
armed from head to foot. When he learned
that they were not detectives they were allowed
to pass. Buzzards companions were in ambush
not far away.
There will be a Wednesday evening PRAYER
i~aeeting in tue log cabin near the race course. on
the mountain owned by Mr.. Talbot, of West
Chester, at which Abe will be present. He is
understood to have said that he will lead in the
singing if a half dozen detectives are present.
and that if they want to disturb the meeting hes
rest of the folks had gone, The outlaws father
was a brave soldier in the war, and a great
prayer meeting man, who stood no nonsense
Abe says he takes after the old man.