Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-04-09
MONTGOMERY PEEL.
BY opIE P. READ.

shall never forget the first time I
ever saw Montgomery Peel. He was
as q justice Of the peace presiding at
the preliminary trial of Andrew Bruke-
more, charged with the murder of Da-
vid @. Cahoon. / was mere boy at
the time, but 7 remember that Mont
gomery Peel made profound impress
sion on me, and ] also recollect that
when my father, in answer to ques-
ton, said that a 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 o very tall man,
with black, inquiring eyes and great
growth of dark brown whiskers. He
presided as my ideal Of dignity 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,
Il have attempted to look with the eye
of calmness and wisdom into this case,
I have blunted my ears to the whisper
ings of prejudice, and within myself /
have quieted 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 a
wall of evidence now proves to be a 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,
aud now step aside without stain upon
your garments. Gentlemen, it 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 9
charge. Every one pressed forward
4.
remember hearing ga red-headed,
freckle-faced boy say:
ST reckon the folks air cryin', pap,
cause they air sorry they amt goin' tc
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 fol
re- election.
One day, several years later, father
and were riding through the woods
when we came upon Montgomery Pee
cutting down tree.
@Why, what are You doing here?' my
father asked. You are surely moi
chopping firewood this hot weather
"No," said the giant-and he was In.
deed giant am going to build /
house"
@What, build a house away out here p
"Yes, for the house am going tx
build would be out of place anywhere
except in the quiet woods; I am going
to build church"
1T will take strong preacher, Peel
to draw a congregation away up here.
eff the size OF the congregation de
ponds upon the strength of the breaches
it is likely TO be small, for I am to b
the preacher.
@You are loking.'
Did you ever know me to joker h,
asked, standing with one hand resting
on the tree and gazing earnestly at M,
father.
II don't know that ever did, Peel
but can hardly believe that man 0
your bright prospects could content him
self with preaching in this lonely place
Why there is not house within tire,
miles"
peter sometimes preached man.
miles distant from any house, yet thou
sands Of people went to hear him.
Yes, that is true; but Peter pro
claimed a new and interesting gospel
while You can only hope to follow in
well worn path.
He gazed intently at my father ami
thus answered:
We have seen path that was Wori
and then we have seen it deserted; hay'
seen the grass and weeds grow wher,
the ground was once made smooth ant
! bare by many feet. 7
True enough, Peel. And now lie
7 me say that If yon are in earnest ] hop,
that you may be instrumental IN draw
ing thousands from the wickedness Q
the world"
II dare not hope to draw thousands,
said he. 81 dat not picture to m.
mind multitude locking to hear me
but will dare to hope to draw one son
away from ON awaiting destruction, ant
III u do even that much 4 shall feel tina
my church has been built to some pur
pose.
All We rode along my father was silen
for some time, and then, as though
speaking toI himself, said
The poor fellow has lost his mind.
The report that Montgomery Pee
N was building church far away ia tn
woods naturally awakened great interes
II ths community Many of The nael