The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-02
A Man with a Career.

We had the pleasure last Saturday of
meeting Mr.. SAINT. Kirk patrick, of Des
Moines, who spent a couple Of DAYS
here in an official capacity, he being a
special United States revenue officer.
His mission here was to examine the
county records, especially the RECORDERS,
to see if papers requiring revenue stamps
were being properly stamped, and also
to inspect the banks to see if notes and
checks were stamped as required by law.
Mr.. kirkpatrick paid high compli-
ment to both our banks, saying they
were two of the most np-to-date banking
institutions he had bnnd in the state
and both fully complying with the rev.
enue laws.
He also stated that the law was being
well complied with in regard to all docu-
ments filed with the county officials, in
fact great deal better than in most
places.
Mr.. kirkpatrick has certainly had an
exciting career and it is wonder he is
alive to-day, as he is carrying in his
body over 200 pieces of lead received
while discharging his duties as a gov
eminent official in the moonshiner's
haunts in North Carolina. He is an old
veteran having served four and halt
years in the civil war as member of
Co. K, I'd Iowa Infantry.
In 1886 he was appointed as special
revenue officer, and on three occasions
he has come near being killed by moon
sinners. The first encounter was in
1889, when he was shot through the leg
by North Carolina moonshiner with a
Winchester rifle. He recovered and
was assigned to duty in the same dis
trict. In 1890 hesw4s after party of
moonshiners in Orange county, North
Carolina, and rode up to cabin
where he thought the men were.
just as he was in front Of the
door it was opened and noon
sinner shot hlm in the head with q shot
gun, filling his head and face, 24e shot
striking him, and over 200 of them are
still embedded in his head. His left
eye was shot out and three shot struck
him in the right eye. Totally blinded
he still retained his nerve, and drawing
his 45-Colt revolver, he fred In the d.
rection Of the door. The bullet went
true and the moonshiner fell dead, shot
through the heart. a pitched battle
between his posse and the moonshiners
followed which resulted in four men be.
ing killed. Mr.. Kirkpatrick had hard
struggle for his life but in a few months
was again on duty. In 1894 he was shot
for the third time by moonshiper who
used shot gun, the charge striking him
in the arm, groin and leg, intlicting a
serious wound. Mr.. j. Kirk patrick has
remained in the service through several
administrations who all recognize his
worth. He is an ardent democrat, and
although not protected by the civil SER
vice does not hesitate to stand up for
his party. He is fluent and powerful
talker and his voice is frequently heard
during the campaigns.
During the campaign of 1900 he at.
tended big democratic rally at Clinton
in the latter part Of October. Several
speakers had preceded him and it was
II o'clock when he was called to the
platform. He did not make long
speech but it was hot one. Holding
up bis hand he asked the large audience
to stand and receive the benediction,
which he pronounced as follows, and ii
is needless to say the audience went
wild.
''In the event of the reelection OF
William Mckinley let me say, take the
trusts and make the best and all you
can, strengthen if possible your pluto.
cratic imperial dynasty, but IN G0d'
name we beg Of you to. restore to us, the
Constitution, tie Declaration, the Mon
ree Doctrine. the Lord q Prayer, the Ter
CommandmentssAnl hrist' i Sermon on
the Mount, for Of these things we will
have need in rebuilding of new repub.
lie that shall shine brighter and brighter
until the perfect day"
The following gem is an extract from
speech he delivered at Ottumwa in
October, 1898:
sit will appear in evidence here to.
night that do not belong to political
organization who stole one president
and purchased another.
On Thursday Of last week it was my
privilege to stand beside the soreophagus
that contains all that is mortal of the
immortal Lincolni and as stood beside
the remains of that man with uncovered
head, turned away with tears coursing
down my cheeks, saying in the sadness
OF my heart, surely when that man
died his party went into political bank.
ruptcy and ia order to resume business
secured loan from the devil and have
been operating on borrowed capital
ever SINCE"