The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-05-30

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IA HREE weeks ago /
y 81: :: T: a.: T.:
EG spent week in an
8: F.: i: :: i: !.
were talking of the
growth of the city from a small from
tier settlement My host, who was
proud of the little city, related many
Incidents connected with its early his
tory. Among other stories he told me
how Methodism began by a sermon in
n saloon.
81 attended the first Methodist
meeting ever held in the town. 1t
was terrible service. I tremble now.
when | think of it, although it was so
many years ago. Our town was
pretty tough place. The chief bust
nesses were liquor selling, gambling
and undertaking. There was funeral
every day. If some one did not die
from disease or accident there was a
murder. The street or bar room fight
that was not to a finish attracted lit
tie or no attention. The bowie knife
and revolver were never concealed.
They were always within ready reach.
If ever a place deserved to be called
hell it was N
81 was a youngster who had run
away from home in the East to try the
Srohc of frontier life. / had been n
resident abouta week. As WAS pass
ing down our principal street, I no.
ticed horseman in very peculiar
Garb riding slowly along as if he were
looking for some one. Noticing me,
he drew the reins of his horse and
said:
Young man, is there a hall or
room of any kind in this place large
enough to hold meeting in? / am a
Methodist itinerant and would like to
add this town to my circuit. | desire
to hold a service tonight.
II was so amazed that for n moment
was silent as l looked closely at the
stranger. He was a tall, powerful
looking man He had n clear, reso
lutte eye, lip and chin that revealed
determin alton nothing could balk.
felt that he was man who did not
know fear, but the folly of the ques-
tion became more and more amusing
until L broke out in a merry, mocking
laugh.
The face grew stern; the eyes shone
with light like the CLEAN of steel;
the voice hardened to cutting curt
ness almost like anger:
"'Does it amuse you, my young
friend, to have me ask you civil
question:?
81 replied hastily: L beg your par
don, sir, for my discurtesy, but the
idea OF anybody wanting to hold re.
ligious meeting in this town is funny
enough to make any one laugh. You
might as well try to hold a meeting in
Perdition.'
q" Il would certainly hold meeting
in Perdition if felt it 20 be my duty
and could get in; but this town can't
be as bad as that.
'I directed him to 'The Coyote
the largest gambling hell in town. I
said:
sized congrcoti S,,o and 10 :, I no.. goo"
% 7''.'o'' "''" ~ n"S oHe au-
oi,vov9 snIl w., IN T pi"oe' ~ -
- croyJ I,ora ni ~, Oo sure 10 ma
NOT beIieye tbov Eli oi,o m"y 90
speak. If "One-eycd jack" the pro.
prietor, is in n good humor he may
and be conceal, 10 :. ,,p - '.o '5.
ct con, a., 80; ''u .5'''J 49, you
borso ~ rra. - III a.. 'i,'ei iaS1en MS
s,innad ~ ~ wy, a '.loou ai,' eu ,r''
Troscbor sta,J sa- ~ sp"',. iue
sids t,o H., i. y ',.o.''.ii'' J'5' III.
tbo frrt,ost TT G9'i"5 . %5o'u,'' Az
axf,,t No., ,.;4I ~ D'''ui"S pow
Of his eve, ,y ,,. - 800, p'.I" - o.'
deripa,,o,t snl,,f,rr'..,,7 Nv " D'' , ly"
',atrsr,,o, o.,,,,r,,,.,...', ,I.. A'I
saiJ "a he rc,nn,.,d H.. la| ~. .1i "I"
curioue how ' maui