Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-10-18
THREATS AGAINST GOD.
ANGRY FARMER TOOK OUT HIS GUN
TO KILL HIS CREATOR.
Raised the Weapon Heavenward and
Immediately Was Stricken with ParaI-
ysis-Rooted to His Field for Two Nights
and Day-A Terrible Warming.

Immediately Was Stricken with ParaI-
ysis-Rooted to His Field for Two Nights
and IA Day-A Terrible Warming.
From the York Pa) Age
Some time since we published in the
Age an account of a man at Instanter,
Elk county, who, because his crops were
being ruined by incesSant rains, threat
ened to shoot the Almighty, and going
out into one of his fields raised his gun
and pointed it to the heavens, when he
was stricken by some mysterious power
and was unable TO move from his posi-
tion. The story was generally discredit-
ed, but according to the Gazette, of Belle
fonte, there is some truth in it. The Ga
zette on Friday stated that DR.. McIntire,
of Howard, in order to find out what
there really was in the story, wrote to the
postmaster at Instanter, Pa, and in
reply received two letters. The first
received was as follows
so. w. McIntire, NJ. D., Howard, Pa.
Dear Sir l will say in reply to your
letter, inquiring as to the truth of the
several different reports running through
the newspapers of our section of the
state concerning
FARMER BEING TURNED TO STONE.
that man by the name of Decker. liv-
ing near here, is reported to have had an
experience of that kind, but was in town
yesterday, looking very pale and scarcely
able to walk. He denied the allegation.
but there are different people here who
positively claim to have seen him when
he was in the position as reported by the
papers. These people say that on ac-
count OF some mysterious influence they
were unable to get close enough to make
indentification complete, but they are
positive he was the man. On the con-
trary, Decker is very quiet on the subject
and absolutely refuses to discuss it. One
thing is very apparent, that before this
was supposed to have happened he
WAS A VERY PRoFANE MAN,
but now he is altogether changed, so
much that any one having known him
before would not now recognize him at
all.
Trusting this explanation will CRAFTY
your curiosity, | remain, very respect
fully, A. c. Quigley, Assistant P. NJ"
The second letter from the assistant
postmaster gave additional proof of the
truthfulness of the story. 1t was:
80. W. McIntire, NJ. D., Howard, Pa.
Dear Doctor: l have since learned
more concerning the matter you wrote
about. Decker has finally admitted that
part of the matter said of him is true in
respect to making the threat and getting
his gun and going into the orchard and
pointing to the heavens. He says when
he
HAD HIS GUN IN POSITION
feeling came over him that would be
impossible to describe. The muscles of
his body seemed to be paralyzed He
could not change his position. He tried
to call for some one to help him, but
could not make sound.
There was but one person at the
house, that being a small boy, who, no
ticing his position. went toward him,
but could not get within at least 100 feet
OF him. In regard to any one trying to
build shed over him, he says that no
attempt was made. He was in the posi-
tion
TWO NIGHTS AND ONE DAY.
He says that so long as he lives he
will never utter another oath, but will
try and serve his Maker to the best of
his ability from this time on. He says
it was direct warning from the other
world.
"1ou can give this publicity in your
paper, Doctor, as it will be an accommo-
dation to us. Our mail is literally over
run with inquiries. Very truly yours.
"a. c. Quigley, Assistant P. M"