Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-12-11
MONTGOMERY PEEL.
BY OPIE p. READ.

BY OPIE r. READ.
shall never forget the first time I
ever saw Montgomery Peel. He was
as a Justice Of the peace presiding at
the preliminary trial Of Andrew Bruke-
more, charged with the murder of Da-
vid G. Cahoon. was mere boy OF
the time, but remember that Mont
gomery Peel made q profound impress
sion on me, and also recollect that
when my father, in answer to a ques-
tion, said that justice of the peace was
not high officer, wondered why Peel
had taken the peace; wondered why he
had not declared himself Governor of
the State. He was very tall man,
with black, inquiring eyes and a great
growth of dark brown whiskers. He
presided as my ideal of dignity; his
voice was penetrating and his questions
were to the point At first every one
appeared TO think that Andrew Bruke-
more was surely the murderer of David
G.. Cahoon, but as the examination
proceeded, as the justice threw the soft
light of apparent innocence upon the
dark complexion of seeming guilt, it
was plainly seen that the prisoner would
not be held to await the action of the
Grand Jury.
Gentlemen" said Montgomery Peel,
arising and addressing the assembly,
II have attempted to look with the eye
OF calmness and wisdom into this case.
/ have blunted my ears to the whisper
ings of prejudice. and within myself /
have quoted every impulse that sought
to jump toward hasty conclusion! AT
first the evidence was bold against the
man, but what at first. seemed to be q
wall Of evidence now proves to be fog
of deception. Andrew Brukemore," he
he continued, turning majestically to
the prisoner, there are times, sir, when
we are called upon to face the trials Of
dark severity. You have faced yours,
and now step aside without stain upon
your garments. Gentlemen, il is my
desire that you all shake hands with
Mr.. Brukemore.
The scene was affecting. In that
quiet Virginia community murder was
of rare occurrence. Indeed many old
men who were present had never before
seen prisoner held under SO grave a
charge. Every one pressed forward
and shook hands with Brukemore, and
remember hearing "a red-headed,
freckle-faced boy say:
81 reckon the folks air cryin', pap,
cause they air sorry they amt goin' to
hang him.
This trial seemed to make different
man of Montgomery Peel, for he at
tended church more regularly, and
when his term of Office expired he did
not announce himself as candidate for
reelection.
One day, several years later, father
and I.were riding through the woods
when we came upon Montgomery Peel
cutting down tree.
@Why, what are you doing here p my
father asked. you are surely not
chopping firewood this hot weather"
No" said the giant he was in
deed q giant am going to build a
( house."
@What, build house away out here p
Yes, for the house / am going to
build would be out of place anywhere
except in the quiet woods; / am going
to build church.
It will take a strong preacher, Peel,
to draw congregation away up here.
liz the size OF the congregation de-
ponds upon the strength of the preacher
ii is likely to be small, for I am to be
the preacher.
You are loking.'
Did you ever know me to joker" he
asked, standing with one hand resting
on the tree and gazing earnestly ct my
father.
II don't know that ever did, Peel,
but I can hardly believe that q man OF
your bright prospects could content him
self with preaching in this lonely place.
Why there is not a house within three
miles"
Peter sometimes preached many
miles distant from any house, yet thou
sands of people went to hear him.
Yes, that is true; but Peter pro-
claimed new and interesting gospel,
while You can only hope to follow in Q
well worn path.
He gazedintently at my father and
thus answered
We have seen path that was worn
and then we have seen il deserted; have
seen the grass and weeds grow where
the ground was once made smooth and
bare by many feet.
True enough, Peel. And now lei
me say that il you are in earnest I hope
that You may be instrumental in draw.
ing thousands from the wickedness Of
the, world. !"
dare not hope to draw thousands,
said he. 81 da-. not picture to my
8 mind q multitude fiOcking to hear me