Evening journal., 1889-02-11
BOARDING THE LIONS.
The Work of Two Methodist
Evangelists.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

The Preachers Visit the Stronghold OF
Fighting Kentuclians. Convert Many Of
the combatants. and Bring Peace and
Quiet to the Town.
HINnMAN, Ky, Feb li--When the Sloan
boys were killed in this town about six weeks
ago by members Of the Eversole gang and
the seat Of French Eversole fend was trans
ferred from Perry county 10 this place, the
alarmed inhabitants predicted that more
murders would follow For many days the
town was filed with armed men, and timid
persons were not seen on the streets oftener
than necessity compelled them
Three weeks ago the Rev @. D. Hyden and
the Rev. A. L. Mcclure, Methodist evangel-
lists, arrived in Hindman. They stopped at the
little hotel, and the day after their coming
announced that they intended 10 hold a re-
ligious meeting in Hindman. They said they
were called hither by extraordinary circum-
stances; they had heard Of the murders there,
and that more were feared They came TO
preach the Christian religion to ALL and most
especially TO those whose bloody deeds had
struck terror in the town. They earnestly
asked those who had any part in the troubles
between the Trenches and the Eversoles to be
present and hear what they had to say. They
begged an audience, and If that were granted
they feared not for the result
The first night Mr. Hyden and Mr.. Mcclure
preached the church was crowded Clabe
Jones, Red Mule Smith, .Bad Billn Smith,
and their friends were there. Curiosity
brought them "Red Mule said he had
heard them preachers was agoin' 70 talk
about the tightin', and he wanted 10 see II
they had enough nerve 10 say anything agin'
the boys All preserved the best Of order
The mountaineers have the greatest regard
for minister, and never are the clergy
treated with the smallest disrespect
Mr. Hyden spoke first and plunged at once
ints the middle Of his subject He criticised
both the French and and Eversoe partisans
with unsparing words. He said that the feud
had begun without cause, that those on both
sides who took part in it were murderers, and
unless they repented they would surely 60 10
hell Mr. Hyden mentioned names. He al
luded directly TO those in the audience
Suddenly pointing his finger directly at
'Red Mule Smith, he said
81 have been told that you are one OF the
worst men in all this country. Il has been
your boast TO count the number Of your muir
ders, and prove that they exceed those Of
any other man In the mountains. For you,
bloody sinner, the tortur@ Of the damned
were especially invented
Red Mule was 50 badly frightened by
the attack that he sought to shrink down be
hind the other members of the congregation
and hide himself He was much relieve,
when MIR. Hyden turned his attention 4
some Of the Others, who 'Rei Mule after
ward said were just as bad as himself
When Mr.. Hyden finished, the congrega
ton sang a hymn, and then Mr. McClur
preached. He was just as caustic as hi
| predecessor. In conclusion, he announce,
that there would be services there ON the FOL
lowing night
All Hindman became interested in the ser
vices. On the fifth night Clabe Jones, Al
Eversole man, who helped kill the Sloai
brothers, arose in his seat and walked for
ward to the pulpit. He was weeping, and b
said he wanted TO publicly confess that thl
words Of the ministers had touched his heart
that he knew he had done all kinds Of wickel
deeds, and that there was not a greater sin
ner on earth But he wanted 20 repen
while there was time, and be aske,
/
that he would never fight any more
neither wonld he carry any arms. Tn
ministers received Jones joyfully, and piaye,
over him They urged others to do as he la,
done. Their exhortations were not wasted
As the meetings progressed nearly every bod,
in Hmdman confessed religionn and ioine,
the church. Among them were many Of thos,
most conspicuous IN the feud Both Ander
son Coldiron aud Bob Profit are now Metho
dists on probation The ministers might hav,
even got hold Of Red Mule Smith and Bad Bill
Smith, but these two worthy gentlemen con
cluded that Hindman was getting too hot fo
them, and the seventh or eighth night Of thl
meetings they departed
The meetings lasted two weeks, and thei
the two ministers announced that they he
lieyed God had helped them 10 accomplish thl
| purpsoe for which they came 10 Hindman
1t was now time for them TO depart Other
who were concerned in the feud lived ia Haz
ard They wished TO 60 there and see wha
they could do with these men Of blood. Their
was the greatest regret when they left
Since their departure Hindman has been
/ peaceable in all respects. Their influence
may not stop the feud entirely, but it ha
done much to reconcile old enemies.
Clabe Jones certainly seems greatly in ear
nest He has constituted himself genera
| peacemaker, and says he win not cease hi
efforts until be is satisfied that no hostilitie
will occur About his conversion no on
Il doubts
MessrS. Hyden and Mcclure have now beer
preaching in Hazard several days, and an tn
circumstances indicate that their success vii
not be less than In Hindman
/ -
Mrs. Penn Knocked Him silly