The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-03-12

and the depot, which was on the
edge of Orange. The priest was
about midway over his route when
he was stopped by a couple of men
who inquired of him whether he was
the priest who had been canvass
ing for subscriptions for Catholic
church. The priest answered that
he was. The men replied that they
had grave doubts of his being what
he professed to be, and to that end
ordered him to arise in the stirrups
and recite the Lords prayer.
"This is not suitable place nor
the proper time to pray" rejoined
the priest.
pray" commanded the men with
revolvers.
Nothing daunted, the Catholic
priest arose and, with the same
calmness and solemnity that he
would have exercised within the
sacred precincts of his own church,
he recited the Lord's-pray
"Now get out and don't let us see
your face again." shouted one of
the men when the prayer was con-
'cluded.
The priest put spurs to his horse
and rode rapidly away to the depot.
On arriving there he borrowed a
Winchester rifle from the station
agent, who was puzzled to know
what he wanted the weapon for, and
in a moment the fighting priest,
emarting under the indignity which
he had been subjected to, was off for
the town in a gallop. He found a
crowd of the mill hands congregated
in the Casino, grog shop and gam
bling saloon patronized by this
class. The two heroes of the episode
already related were there reciting
the funny features of the incident,
which was apparently thoroughly
enjoyable to their hearers.
The priest walked boldly into the
saloon and in a twinkling raised
his rifle and brought it to bear upon
one of the insulters. At the same
moment he notified all hands that
he would shoot the first man who
moved muscle. Before they could
recover their surprise the priest or
dered the man upon whom he had
drawn a bead to step to the center
of the saloon. He did so meekly.
The priest then sought out the Sec
ond rowdy and bade him do like
wise. He went to the front.
"Now, get down on your knees,
both of you and repeat the prayer
you heard me say in yonder field, !"
commanded the priest. The men
got down on their knees, but were
silent.
Repeat it," reiterated the priest,
cor l will send you before, your
maker" and that deadly Winchester
was pointed directly at them. The
toughs now candidly owned up that
they could not do so.
"Then follow me as | recite it. !"
rejoined the Catholic father, and he
began to repeat the prayer. The
toughs repeated his words with the
timidity Of children and their voices
trembled as they noted the intense
earnestness of the man of God.
"Now that you have finished, get
up" said the priest, "and let me
tell you | have come here to erect a
church, with your assistance if ]
can get it, and unmindful of your
objections if you don't desire it.
We will be friends if you wish it,
but if you modest me or my people
l will show you that, although a
priest, l can meet you on your own
ground. To such of you who think
you can shoot better than myself
the street is big and wide, and the
invitation is extended to any of you
for q trial"
No one answered and the fighting
priest departed. He had shown
himself to be "a dead game man"
by invading them in their very lair,
with all the odds against him and
they wanted no more evidence Of
his pluck. He built the church,
and. singular as it may read, this
very element contributed the largest
support to it's construction.