Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-08-21

cannot describe the HSnC WHICH IOE
lowed, for l was trying to get out of
the way, but I saw Uncle Peter tear
the ruff1es off the shirt of the ring
leader of the rowdies, and l saw the
latter go down under the preachers
weapon. Clubs were flying in every
direction, knives and pistols were
used, but the rowdies were defeated,
a dozen or so being made prisoners
and the remainder driven from the
camp.
He was very much opposed to slav-
cry, and indeed gave that as his prin-
cipal reason for removing from Ken
lucky to Illinois. He said he did not
want to bring up his children under
the influences which slavery exerted
in slave state. At the same time he
was opposed to the abolitionists, and
denounced their methods with great
vigor He insisted that the Metho-
dist church could, by showing up the
evils of slavery, produce the abolition
of that institution by peaceable
means. In 1910 he predicted that the
acts of the abolitionists would yet pro-
duce the disruption of the union and
civil war.
He was strong democrat in poll
tics, and was, of course a warm ad-
mirer of General Jackson, with whom
he was we'll acquainted. have heard
him describe his first meeting with
the hero Of New Orleans, and he
seemed proud of it. 1t was shortly
after the close of the War of 1912
that he was preaching at Knoxville,
Tenn, when Jackson entered the
church. He was telling the people
how wicked they were, and the
preacher whose pulpit he was filling
stepped behind him and whispered
that Jackson was present.
Mr.. Cartwright, speaking in his
loudest voice, said: General Jack
son is present, is he? Well, if he
doesn't mend his ways and become
converted the Lord will damn him as
quick as He would Guinea Niger"
The language pleased the General
and after the sermon he greeted Mr..
Cartwright, invited him to visit him,
and they became great friends. Jack
son afterward Joined the Methodist
church, and no doubt his conversion
was due to his association with Peter
Cartwright.
He hated all infidels and never hest
tated to denounce them by name from
the pulpit. On one occasion he was
preaching near the residence of one
Major Robinson, I think, a notorious
infidel wealthy man and influential
The major had in a recent speech
ridiculed the Methodist clergy and
compared them unfavorably with the
military class to which he belonged.
Mr.. Cartwright denounced the ma
jor and his speech and among other
things said: "Were the major
clergyman he would say: For six days
the Lord labored making the universe
and all it contains. On the seventh
day He made the Robinson family"
The laugh which followed Infatuated
the major, who sent the preacher a
challenge to fight a duel. The reply
was characteristic of Cartwright It
was:
Il accept your challenge to fight a
duel, and as the challenged party
claim the right to choose weapons,
choose corn stalks and think I can
finish you with one in about two
minutes
Of course the duel did not take
place, and the major, becoming re-
pentent, was after a hard struggle,
converted and joined the church,
which seemed to be the usual result
of controversy with Mr.. Cartwright.
On one occasion he had stopped at
country tavern where a dance was
being held. He sat in a corner alone,
bordering over the sins of the dancers.
when one of them, a beautiful young
lady, approached him and asked him to
dance. 1t was a polite attention to
stranger, which the entire company
seemed TIC approve. He consented
and leading her to the center of the
room motioned for the negro fiddler
to stop playing.