Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-12-04
UNCLE BILLY WAYMIRE.
TRUE HISTORY OF HIS REMARK
ABLE CONVERSION.
lie Was for Years One OF the Wickedest Men In
Indiana, But the Preacher Finally
Oatwitted Hlm--Oii Better
Than Vinegar.

Uncle Billy Waymire was we'll
known character all over the Night
Owl settlement, Il locality in central
iad,ana, which took its name from the
district school of that section. an edu-
cationai institution which had for
years and years been known as the
Nighs Owl Seminary. Right across
the road from this stood tho might
Owl Meetin' House." Il sort OF union
tabernacle. where new lights. baptists.
united brethren and methodists held
services on alternating Sundays, and
in the winter time 'jined hands in
series of union revival services for the
purpose Of gathering in the sinners
from the whole country side.
| Old Abe Moggerty was the Mctho-
| dist preacher at the Night Owl church. |
and despite the fact that he was
uncouth of manner, rough and I'M
letlered, he welded a powerful influ-
ence over the people of the community.
Old Abe was What you could truly call
II working minister, writes Ed X.
Pritchard in the Arkansaw Traveller.
He owned good farm and a half
interest in Il thrashing machine; and
during the cropping season, from early
spring until late fall. he did harder
WORK, and more of it, than any other
man in the county. But when winter
came on, bringing as it does to the
farmer II season of comparative rest
and comfort then Brother Moggerty.
to use his own expression. ''went to
work for the Lord" He had Il half
dozen different places in his own and
adjoining counties where he held
meetings during the winter season,
but a, he him self lived in the Night
Owl settlement his zeal and interest
were. naturally, stronger for this his
home charge. The old fellow had got
together "a right smart sprinllin" OF
members here, among them some Of
the best families for miles around.
There was, however, one man whom
he never could get to zine meetin"
and that was Uncle Billy Waymire,
who was about as tough and unregcn-
crate an old sinner as ever stood out
, side e. church door Gad tried to work
up boss trade while She preacher on
the inside was dong his best to get
up little enthusiasm among the
faithful members of his flock.
Uncle Billy had long beer II special
mark for old Abe's eloquence, both in
and out of the pulpit. In fact he had
!, frequently boastod to some OF his
brethren. on commencing q series O:
revival meetings. that he intended to
capture Uncle Billy before spring.
= These boasts generally reached the
ears OF the old fellow. whereupon he
.. would 'cuss" like pirate and swear
u ''that he'd show old Moggerty whether
: he could lead him around by the nose
or not"
This state Of affairs had existed fol
. several years, and OF course furnished
. no Shd of gossip and chat among the
- country people. Indeed. among TIM
~ worldly minded portion OF the commu
. nifty. and especially the younger ant
," wilder ones, the announcement tina
;" old Abe would shortly begin to hol'
= "big meetin" at the Night Owl churcl
- was hailod with great glee, for the.
we'll knew there was sure to be livel
- time OF it. while bets were freel!
u, offered and taken on the chances o
~ old Abe getting Billy into the church
" with the odds generally against tn
)" preacher. But one winter old Alb
10 started in to win; he had been battle
= long enough. The time had com
~ when he had to show that the LORI
- was on his side or else, as he put i
x "to quit preachin' altogether" An
''s this is how he went aboutit. Happen
= iEg to meet Uncle Billy in the roa
g one day the following conversatio
80 ensued:
en- "Good mornin'. Brother Waymire
~ how are your I'm mighty glad to Sc
." you; how's all the folks?"
10 "Wall. only middlin' generally
~ though I'm feelin' purity peert m ysel
90 how are you STAN n it?"
~. "Fresh an vigorous, Brother Wa.
% mire, fresh an vigorous. I've been
no workin' like everything fer myself a
1n summer. an now that winter has s.
=" in I'm ergoin' to put in my best licl
loA fer the Lord. We begin big meeti
e'' at the Night Owl next Sunday"
'.Yas, so heerd. 'Spose you'll
a-givin' it to US sinners purity hot ergi
same as you did last winter. VOL
your"
.To "Wall, I dunno about that" auswe
Tor ed the preacher quietly. I've erbo
m. made up my mind that it's waste
and wind to be allus a-pitchin' into su
a n old fellers as you. fer instance.
ora only makes you meaner and harde
md u0aCV0U. w u0C III 0CeOlu CoI OO