Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-02-17
POWER OF PRAYER.
BLOODY KURDERERS GET RELIGION.
A Methodist Revival Subiues Men Of
Violence.
KENTUCKY VENDETTA BROKEN UP,
EvangeliSts Transform Scene Of BlOOished
Into a Prayer Meeting.

HINDMAN, KY, February 16 When
the Sloan boys were killed in this town
about six weeks ago by members of the
Eversole gang and the seat OF the French
Eversole feud was transferred from Perry
county 10 this place, the alarmed inhabi-
;art5 predicted that more murders would
follow. For many dfys the Town was
filed with armed men, and timid persons
we're not seen on the streets of ener than
necessity compelled them.
Three weeks ago the Rev. G.. D. Hyden
and the Rev. A. L. Mcclure, Methodist
eyangelists, arrived in Hindman. They
stepped at the little hotel, and the day
after their coming announced that they in
teC ded 20 hold a religious meeting in
Hiodmsn They said they were called
thither by extraordinary circumstances;
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 all those who had any part
in the troubles between the Trenches and
the EveTsOles to be present and hear what
they had to say. They begged an audi
ence, and if that were granted they feared
not for the result.
People laugh I'D VIXEN they heard the
announcement o. the reverend gentlemen,
and learned that the latter came expressly
for the purpose Of s;Oppirg the fsud by
means ofTelig;ols exhOrtstIon. They said
that all the preachers in Kentucky couidl't
check the wicke1nsss OF Red Mulep
Smith, Dad Billn Smith," Bob Pfofi,t,
Anderson Coldiron, and the others They
wouldn't be quiet until the cofiu lids
were screwed down upon them.
Nevertheless, the ministers were not dis
couraged. They told the good people of
Hindman tina. they had come to performs
difficult task. but if they succeeded they
would feel their reward the greater.
The first night Mr.. Hyden and Mr.. Nc
Clure preached the church was crowded.
Clabe Jones, "Red Mule" Smith, BAD
Bill" Smith and their friends were there.
Curiosity brought them. ''Red Male" said
he had heard them preachers was agoin'
TO talk about the fightin, and he wanted
to see if they had enough nerve to say
anything agin' the boys. All preserved
the best of order The mountaineers have
the greatest respect for a minister, and
never are the clergy treated with the
smallest disrespect.
Mr. Hyden spoke first, and plunged at
once into the middle of his subject. He
both the French and Egersole
psrtisans with unsparing words He said
the feud had begun without cause, and
those on bo.h sides who took part in it
we're murderers, and unless they repented
they would surely go to hell. Mr.. Hyden
mentioned names. He alluded directly to
those in the audience.
Suddenly pointing his finger directly at
"Red Mule Smith, he said:
81 baye been told that you are one OF
the worst men in all this country. II has
been your boast to count the number OF
your murders, and prove that they exceed
those of any other man in the mountains.
For you, bloo ~ sinner, the tortures Of the
damned were especially invented"
"Red Mule" was 50 badly frightened by
the attack that he sought to shrink down
behind the other members of the congrega-
ton and hide himself lie was much re-
leved when Mr.. Hyden turned his atten-
ton TO some of the others. who "Red
Mule" afterwards aid were just as bad as
himself.
When Mr.. Hyden finished, the conga-
tiou sang a hymn, and then Mr.. Mcclure
preached. He was Just az caustic as bis
predecessor. In conclusion, he announced
that there would be seryices there on the
following night.
The next day everybody talked about
the germons, snd admired the boldness Of
the two preachers. The second nights
services we're as well attended IS the fist.
The theme was the same. All Hindman
became interested in the services. On the
fifth night Clabs Jones, the jailer of the
county, an Eyersole man, who helped kill
the Sloan brothers, arcss in his seat and
walked forward TO the pulpit. He WAS
weeping, aud be said he wanted 10 public
" confess that the words of the minister
he'd touched his heart, that he knew he
had done all kinds of wicked deeds, and
that there was not greater sinner or
asrth. But he wanted to repent while
there was time, and he asked the Lord to
forgive him. He said be would never fight
any more, neither would he carry any arms.
The mini,ters received JONES joyfully and
prayed over him. They urged Others TO do
IS he had done. Their exhortations were
not wasted. As the meetings progressed
nearly everybody in Hirdman ''pTofesseo
-elieionn and joined the church. Among
hem we're many of the most conspicuous
o the feud. Both Anderson ColdiTon and
Bod Proilitt are now Methodsts on probs-
ion. TIE ministers might even have got
lold of Red Mule Smith ard Bad Bill
smith, but these two worthy gentlemen
concluded that Eindman was getting too
lot for them, and the seventh or eighth
light of the meetings they departed. Red
Mule before leaving said he believed ifhe
tayed there much longer they would
make a woman out of him, too, and &c:
lin into the church.