The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-28
MONTGOMERY PEEL.

shall never forget the first time ]
ever saw Montgomery Peel. He was az
a justice Of the peace presiding at the
preliminary trial OF Andrew Brukemore,
charged with the murder OF David C..
I Cahoon. was mere boy ar the time.
but remember that Montgomery Peel
made a profound impression on me, and
l also recollect that when nv father. in
answer to question, said that Justice
of the peace WAS not a high officer, !
wondered why Peel had taken the peace;
wondered why he had not declared him.
self governor Of the state He was a
very tall man. with black, inquiring
eyes and great growth Of dark brown
whiskers. He presided as ny ideal Of
dignity; his voice was penetrating and
his questions were 10 the point At first
every one appeared 10 think that Andrew
BrukemOre was surely the murderer Of
David c. Cahoon. but rs the exAmina-
ton proceeded, as the justice threw the
soft hghtOf apparent innocence upon the
dark complexion Of seeming guilt. it was
plainly seen that the prisoner would not
be held to await the acton Of the grand
jury.
Gentlemen" said Montgomery Peel,
arising and addressing the assembly. II
have attempted to look with the eve OF
calmness and wisdom into this case.
have blunted my ears 10 the whisperings
Of prejudice, and within myself | have
Quoted every impulse that sought 10
jump toward a hasty conclusion. At
first the evidence was bold against the
man, but what at first seemed 10 be a
wall of evidence now proves to be a fog
or deception. Andrew Brukemora, " he
continued. turning majesucally 10 tho
prisoner, there are times. sir, when we
are AL called upon 20 face the trials Of
dark severity. You have faced yours,
and now step aside without a stain upon
your garments. Gentlemen. it is my
desire that you all shake hands with Mr.
Brukemore.'
The scene was affecting. IL that quiet
Virginia community murder was Of rare
occurrence. Indeed many old men who
were present had never before seen a
prisoner held under so grave a charge.
Every one pressvd forward and shook
hands with BT Ikc-Dare, ana ! remember
hearing n red sz6sd, n 'led faced boy
say:
Il reckon the fo.Es air r-ylu'. pap,
cause they air sorry thcE -.l.t som TO
hang him.
This trial seemed t. make % different
man of Montgomery Peel, for he attend
ed church more regularly, and when his
term Of once expired he did not an
nounce himself as % candidate for re-
election
One day, several years later. father
and | wore riding through the woods
when we came upon Montgomery Peel
cutting down a tree
why, what are you doing here" my
father asked. You are surely not chop
ping firewood this hot weather
NO" said the Riaut--and be was IN
deed giant am going % build "a
house"
What. build a house away out hcreT'
Yes. for the house / am going 20
build would be ont Of place anywhere
except in the quiet woods; 1 am going
70 build a church.
1T viii take strong preacher. Peel,
70 draw congregation away mp here"
IF the size Of the congregation de-
ponds upon the strength q the preacher
it IS likely 70 be small, for an 20 be the
preacher
You are joking
Did YOU ever know me- % Joke" no
asked standing with one hand rsstnc
on the tree and gazing earnestly AZ my
father
Il don't know that I ever did, Peel, I.
but can hardly believe that a man Of
your bright prospects cogld content him I
self with preaching IN TINS lonely place +
Why. there is not a house within three
miles"
Peter =1Uetlme- preached many 4
miles distant from any house. yet thou /
sands Of people went 70 hear him
Yes. that Is true, but Peter pro-
claimed q new and interesting gospel, /
while you can only hope 20 follow in q 4
well worn path
lie zazed intently az my father ard /
thus answered
We have seen n path that Wa worn, /
and then We have seen II deserted: have .
zen the grass and weeds grow where
he ground WAS once made smooth and 4
pare by many feet
True enough. Peel And now let me
iay that II you are n earnest hope that
you may be instrumental in drawing
.hsussnds from the wlckedness % the
World
II dare not hope 70 draw thouEands,
aid he. Il dare net picture % ray mind
. multitude fOckIug % hear me. bat
xii dare hope % draw one soul away
rom an awaiting destruction. and II
10 even that much shall feel th&t my
.hurch tas been built % s0r1e purpO@s
As We rode along my father vas silent
or soIne Cue, and then. - th0ugh
Teak1Hg 70 hIrlssif. SAID
The poor kslloF hss LIST his mind
The report Rial hc-t-Drnery Psel wa
yUldInR a csBrch far away m tbs
woods naturally awez-lel greas in1eres1
n toe oouIE9zzasy. AAny II the mn
that be InruE. bssvs los. hls mini.
'zt tne woEnen, wltn s.las hnpcfLl EyEs-
,ztay winch ever expscts : good r.zznls
-ca a. ostsnEhiy VsJS1s @caoo, aperred
bat hs Sas Apy&4ntrS - b-izE sbszt .
;Tezt rsfCETuEsb0a- Wives penS1AAsd
5e7T EzSS11r1s 70 assist - bnldfz21hs
sAzrc1- Gcd fsz1s aidsd Peel wAs so17
'eA~sy - ds.iEe- us Erzt sgTzoon. Itw@
= SzD6S5, rs-1- b1ght aid beautb-
NJ, that i.n6rs1s q; D>op.s EScksd 20
- hin rrueEaOsr bezy1rs ols nan,
| ~vnGrsal fs-frsvr r..rrsrk-