The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-08-26
Efficacy
Of Prayer
A Job That Failed to Work in the
Presence of Mans
DeVOtiOnS.


Every religious writing of earlier
times contains numerous accounts
bearing on this subject and the religious
zealot of today invariably quotes many
instances wherein the efficacionsness of
prayer hiss been fully demonstrated be-
yond all question of doubt. But for
quick and substantial results very few
instances can be mentioned which will
surpass certain incident that actually
occurred few years ago in a western
mining camp.
During one of the numerous labor
troubles of recent years which occurred
in one Of the greatest gold camps on
earth the district became so badly torn
with dissension that the local officials
were unable to maintain even a pre-
tence of authority and as consequence
the State troops were brought in to
maintain law and order.
The methods of the troops, however,
were not severe enough to satisfy the
more radical portion of the Mine Own
ers' Association, so the sheriff's force
was augmented by something like a
thousand deputies.
These men were recruited from the
riffraff and lawless element in the larg-
or cities. They were mounted and
heavily armed; and from the time they
made their appearance in the district
they carried out the instructions of
their overlords with highhanded au
thority and an utter disregard for law
or justice.
Que of the most common methods in
vogue at the. time for the suppression
of the Miners Union was the outrage
Gus practice OF arresting the officials
and more active members of the Union
on the slightest pretext. Then without
even the semblance of a trial the ar
rested person was thrown into "bull-
pen" where he was made to suffer all
kinds of indignities; or ii the case war;
ranted it, in their opinion. the arrested
man would be deported from the State
and told not to return again under PEN
atty of death.
Henry Armstrong was an uDassum-
ing, hardworking man, but it was
known for some time that he was a
member of the Executive Board of the
Miners Union, aud consequently every
of 10 70 En1 20
his arrest and deportation; but it was
absolutely impossible to find single
instance wherein Armstrong had not
advocated moderation and strict ad-
herence to the personal and property
rights of others.
However, charge was trumped up
by renegade miner who had Joined
the ranks of the deputies. Quickly
following this, orders were issued to
the sheriff to take Armstrong into
custody. For the sake of policy it was
deemed advisable to do this as quietly
as possible and deport him before il
became generally known.
Shortly afterwards the sheriff select
ed posse from the better class OF
deputies and when they felt sure that
Armstrong had gone home for the
night they quietly surrounded his house
and cautiously approached to recon
hotter.
Silently the sheriff crawled to win
dow from which small ray of ligh,
was shining and STOPPING down hi
peeped under the curtain. Surely &
more unexpected sight was never be
held by an Officer who was about to ar
rest ]awbreaker on serious charge
Armstrong, surrounded by his family
bad just knelt down in the attitude Of
prayer and instantly his solemntonet
voice was plainly heard by the sheriff
as he repeated the commencement o.
the Lords Prayer: sour Father wht
art in heaven" and then followed tn,
supplication of conscientious, God
fearing man as he asked for guidanc,
and for mercy and forgiveness; forgive