Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-10-31
FAMOUS TEXAS PARson.
"A Sketch of the Rcv. A. j. Potter, the
Fighting Preacher.

tuesday, was one OF the most noted char
acters IN Texas. When youth and up
TO the time he professed religion and joIn.
ed the church. he was known as n daring.
desperate man, ever ready TO light and
dangerous antagonist when aroused, and
IL was not difficult TO arouse him. As a
brother minister expressed II, "he would
night at the drop of u hat, and drop the
nat himself" Though his morals We're
corrected and reformed when he became
minister, his lighting prociivixes remain
ca unchanged, and many men nave felt
the force of his good right arm and looked
down the shining barrel of a six-shooter
held by the ministerial hand.
His work as a Methodist circuit rider
was principally on the frontier OF Texas in
the early days, when might made right
and the country was infested with desper.
ADDE'S and toughs. 1t IL said OF Rev Potter
that on many occasions he preached with
brace OF pistols lying on the pulpit by
the side of his Bible. which has given rise
TO the saying that he "called sinners TO tho
mourners' bench ut the point OF six
shooter"
Rev. II. A. Graves has written book
on the life OF this noted Texas parson,
from which many OF the incidents OF this
sketch are taken.
Andrew jackson Potter was born I'm
Charlton county, Missouri. April 3. 1890.
He was tho son of Joshua ana Martha
Potter, natives of Kentucky While An
drew was still youth his parents moved
10 Carroll county and then TO Clinton,
now Gentry, on North Grand river,
where Andrew spcnt most OF his boyhood.
clinton was then border county and tho
facilities for an education were quite
meager, and besides Andrews raren,.
were too Poor to AFFORD even tho rudImonts
OF an education to their children About
three months was the whole term OF An
drew's tuition Mt school.
HIS father died about 1870, when An
drew was In his 10th year. Being entirely
without any resources, he was employed
by sportsman to ride race horses. He
passed the first twenty years of his life
amid the rough scenes OF border life
among armed and desperate men and
away from schools and churches. Having
natural inclination to combatlvcness
toward an enemy the disposition to fight
early displayed itself IN his youthful nc-
tivities. However he possessed Il deep
sense OF the right. gentle sympathy
for the wronged and oppressed, uuialterinc
trutlfulness and true generosity. These
traits constituted the foundation OF his
remarkable character which was 70 clear
ly elucidated by his strange and eventful
future.
In 1876 Andrew being then 10 years Of
age, volunteered TO Join tho United States
forces under General Sterling Price In tho
war with Mexico. He entered CAPTAIN
Slaeks company and went to Fort Leaven-
worth, where the troops wcrc innpected
and none hut able bodied men were re-
oeiyed Into the service. Andrew being too
young TO be accepted ns n soldier. was
taken into the quartermaster's depart
n.ent an teamster, and drove an OK team
loaded with army supplies. lilo remained
in the service of the government untll
1852. The part of the army to which he
belonged, he having IN the meantime
enlisted as a regular soldier. operated in
Arizona and New Mexico and was on
gagged In many desperate eneounters with
Indians.
Having spent six years as soldier and
having become tired OF the pcrla and l
hardshlps OF frontier camp life Potter
armed and equipped seven men besides
himself TO escort and guard him to West
Texas, the then nearest point of civilized
life. After dangerous journey they
reached San Antonio In the year 1867.
After remaining some time in San An
tonic Mr.. Potter visited n brother In Hays
county, and went TO hear REV. l. g. John
preach. He at once became interested In
the services, and shortly afterward pro-
tossed religion and Joined the Methodist
church. and in 1856 was ordained a min
lister OF the Gospel.
when the civil war broke out Rev.
Potter volunteered as u private soldier In
Captain Stoke llowes Company. Woods
ihINN-SHEOUu JtNaA Cavalry.
then encamped on the Salado near this
city. In the army he was both n private
soldier and n jealous preacher, passing
through all the daily drili and marches
of private soldier and holding prayer
meetings and preaching to the troops
whenever and wherever religious services
could be held In the day or night.
Returning from tho war, Rev. Potter
resumed his ministerial work in the then
border counties and had many amusing
as well as thrilling experiences. He was
In Boerne one day and while there
drunken desperate came to town and
completely terrorizod the citizens. As.l
Mr.. Potter started home the fellow rode
rapidly by him twice and tried IN many
why's to provoke a difficulty. To avoid
trouble Mr.. Potter dlsmounsed and called
at a friends house on the street But
the fellow continued to harnss him. and
after riding by several times hitched his
horse and rudely walked on the porch
where Mr.. Potter and two ladies' were
seated.
Taking seat, he began 10 ask imperti-
nent questions, when Mr. Potter arose.
took hold OF one OF his arms and placing
the other hand at his back, gave him a
TIT into the yard. The enraHed man ran
TO his horse, procured pistol and adj
yanoed toward the house. In the mean
time Mr.. Potter had armed himsalf with
n hatehet and started TO meet him. rhe
fellow. without n word. turned, walked to
the street and led away Mr. Potters
horse This was more than the preacher
could stand. He followed the fellow down
town. and after dispute dlsarnicd him
and turned him over TO the officers. When
arraiGned for trial next day Mr.. Potter
interceded for the prisoner and prevailed
on the Justice TO infict a light me. As the
prisoner was being led away he looked to-
ward Mr. Potter eni remarked threat
onlngly: II shall see you some time"
Turning upon him Mr. Potter said: "sir,
was forced Into a difficulty with you
by protecting ladies' from your insults.
have exercised great patience and forbear-
ance with you; have put my life in peril
to save yours; ran on your pistol und
why YOU did not shoot can not tell
could have killed you with your own
weapon and the law would not have hurt
me. Through my advice the curt lined
you, instead OF putting you under bond.
which, II done. would send you TO Hunts
vlle: you have gotten or quite light. Now,
n you ever make another pass at me your
stny on earth will be short"
During his last years Mr. Potter was n
supcrannuated member OF the Methodist
conference and always enjoyed the loYs
and esteem OF all who knew him.
-.
Court at MndIronviIIc.
NradIsonvllie. Texas, October 2G.-Dls- |
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