The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-20
ANOTHER "UN-NICE' PREACHER.
Something About the New Cowboy Evangel
list Who Is "ConvertiDg" the Frontier.

SoRnetuInS AUoub TIC NEW GOWOoy hIFauk6k%
list Who Is Converting the Frontier.
Chicago Tribune.
A slight. wiry man of twenty five, with q
bronzed face and large brown hand, came into
the Tribune Office yesterday morning
Throwing on the table white sombrero that
measured four feet from tip to tip. and around
which was wound rope enough to furnish out a
dozen 'necktie' parties, he produced his card. 1t
was dainty, glazed thing, with gilt edges On
the center printed In ink the color of rusty blood
were the words, rs. w. Wesley, Cowboy
Evangelist. Caddo, Ind Ter
"That's me- said the young man, as he drew
up chair and sat down. "Reckoned you'd
heard o me, an might like to lay an eye or two
on me-"
Mr.. Wesley crossed his legs and went on to
explain the cause of his visit to Chicago eye
see. have church at Caddo--twenty-ive souls
an girl-an' we need building. There's a
very neat put-up there, goin' for $500. It's our
meat. ! only need 5000 now. an Chicago,
reckon, IL ante up about them figures. Trust in
the Lord, anyhow. Never set into anything, il
it's only for the cigars without trustin' in the
Lord" Mr.. Wesley continued thoughtfully
II was BORN" said the evangelist. communi-
eating the startling secret with much impressive
ness, Il was born in Missouri, but when was q
an went to Texas. One dark night l saddled q
gray filley an rode out into Texas. Yes sir,
it was my third birthday. i brought up
on the frontier an until a year ago was a cow
boy. Every one knew me- was branded all
over with the devils irons; yes, sir. Ono day, O
year ago. things bein corpse-like on the frontier,
l dropped over into Anderson county Jest to git
q swaler OF civilization. had several, 80 to
speak. Happened into meeting one night, an
there was Major Penn. an evangelist, firm red
hot Bible into the crowd. Before that I'd been
a sort o maverick, knockin' around without no
owner; but that night the Lord jest lassoed me,
branded me. and says: Now you caper on my
ranch an I've been a,doin' the very same.
"Why, q year ago didn't know Matthew from
Mordeca but I've sorted things out. If any man
can jump quotashun from the Bible that don't
know, why-Ill-lll swallow my hat or eat him
blood raw, just as he likes"
Mr.. Wesley picked up his hat and turned it
tenderly in his hands s'Kinder Stare at this
fashions. Can't help it. amt goin to throw
away money buyin' silk tiles an THROWN them
away. seen New York Teller come to the
frontier once wearin we'll grown, clean -curried
silk tile. He was walkin' along an the boys Just
opened up and began to ventilate that tile
Pretty considerable bullets went through that
tile. Tt was amusin' for the boys added the
evangelist, solemnly
s'rve been sized up by some Of you feers as q
desprit character an want to say that I never
killed no mau-they never seemed to fool round
an beg to be got ready for plantn. No. an was
allus peaceable, an never could anything in
KILN man, less he sort o seemed downright
anxious about it. You fellers seem to put the
WAX phlut al oFoE yuut pdpOI Wuou YOU uTOp mty
see9 Well, don't. Ofcourse I've been in considera-
BILE places where the amusement was pretty much
like buckin' pony. There's an arrow wound ia
my knee-foolin' with bunch Of Comanches.
Then there are three four bullet-holes seat
tered through me-moStly due to not gettin out
o town lively enough.
'The boys tumble to my preachin'-an' do
it all extemp. I've raked in some of the tough
est fellers on the border-fellers who know how
to point pistol and like to keep dom it. T
git into a s'loon an open FIRE with the Bible an
then keep layin' it on EN- till they weaken an
trust in tho Lord, or till they begin to shoot.
/ don't shoot. / don't shoot off my pistol no
more simplyto emphasize my remarks. 1t looks
sorter sensational, an then thes barkin' want
stuck on it."
will you preach in Chicago"
swell. don't know; l can't say. jest trust
in the Lord"
The evangelist took up his hat and went to cali
on prominent Baptist clergyman-a small man
but one who trusts in the Lord.