The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-09-12
The Parson Of
Cinnamon Gulch
By WILLIAM SINGLETON

munltleS.
However, word had been received
from the Rev. Arthur Dixon that ~
had been sent out by society u
start the people on different course
He was coming among them to remair
as long as necessary, which meant t
build a place of worship.
About 10 o'clock on this SUNDAY
morning q man came up the gnlcf
whose appearance did not seem to IN
dictate that he was especially fitted FOL
the work In hand His face was red
he wore stubble beard, and his ap
pareI was by no means clerical. In
deed. It was the ordinary costume OF
the country-sombrero flannel shir'
and trousers tucked in his boots. TAX
ing position in the center of the cab
In, be said In loud voice:
"Friends. have come among you
to eject Satan from your midst. The
sight see on this Sabbath mornin Is
one to appall the heart Instead OF
washin~up and putin on your best
clothes for meetin. instead of moth
ers brrlshn' the children's hair and
putin clean aprons on 'em for Sun
day school, some of you are workin'
some playin' cards. while the women
and children are doin' whatever they
take notion to do
The stranger paused. and the miners
who had been gathering about him
while be was speaking wondered They
had expected a sleek looking, clean
shaver gentleman in clerical dress
who would talk to them In soft, per
suaSive voice. This man was rough
and unrouth-indrrd. nowiSe superior
to themselves. However, it is ques
tionnbIe If this very ruggedness did not
incline them to receive him more fu
vurably than one more refined.
81 reckon" resumed the newcomer
that you've been advised Of my bein
sent ont to convert this camp. I'm the
Rev. Arthur Dixon. and I'm purity wei
used to sich as you. You thought you
was SOlu " Bll d SiIoOlh ldihlb 6Vh'
with molasses candy hair and milo
blue eyes. The society amt sendin
that kind of men round to do thei'
work. or, rather. the Lords work
Them kind is sent to places where
there's been some sort o cultivation.
what I'm gOin to do is tussle with
the devil and throw him out, just AZ
when a mans goin' to plant he gifts rid
o the Stumps and weeds and all that
Them fancy parsons wouldn't be NJ
good for that. Their work comes In
when the seeds planted and springin
up When one O. them feIlers comes
yere goes on to another place where
there's no clearin'."
BY this time the whole camp-men
women and children, though there were
few women and fewer children
standing in front of the parsOn. gaping
at him To one or two who found room
in his rear he said savageIy:
"YOu galOOts come forward where
kin see you. That's one O Satan's best
lodges to git in feller's rear and
take him from behind"
Those addressed CAME forward.
Now. want you people to under
stand" the parson continued. that the
first thing needed In bringin' about
new deal is that when you get together
for purposes o. worship you do it with
humility. There's no humility in six
shooter nor In a knife. want every
one Of you that has weapons on you to
take 'em up there" - pointing to an
open space between trees-"and leave
EN- there durin' these yere religious
ceremonies"
The speaker paused, and a number
Of the men went to the spot he lndi
Gated and then threw down their
weapons. When he was satisfied that
all the arms were where he had order.
ed them deposited he said that the first
thing to do in the premises was to
build some sort of place Were they
could meet for religious worship. Then
he nominated one of the men to pass
around the hat for contributions.
While the collection was being taken
Up young man Of different type
anne into the camp. approaching the |
'arSon from the rear. When he caught |
'lSht OF the speaker he opened his |
yes. lie was especially interested In |
lis remarks made from time to time
xhorting the miners to contribute lib
rally.
The collector, having gone the
onhdS' took the hat to the parson,
'ho emptied the contribution into his
ocEets, then, drawing a revolver from
ach boot, covered the assembly.
stand where you are" be said, "for
II put hole in any one that moves.
my man leavin for them weapons
'ont get more'n yardw
He began moving away from the
aggregation. keeping his face toward
leIIl' and backed right into the man
no had Just come upon the scene,
eellhS pair Of arms clasping him
oOnt bis body, he wriggled to get
way, but to no purpose. Presently
ne OF the congregation. taking adyan.
ge OF the diversion. jumped in and
'aSped the weapons. That ended the
Spnte. The so called parson was
owned and securely bound.
me young man who had turned the |
DIES was the real Arthur Dixon. The
an who had personated him had met
IN and learned OF his purpose. Hur.
ing on ahead Of him. he had hoped :
play his game and get away with
e plumber before his arrival
The real Dixon in saving the miners
om robbery acquired q support that
abled him TO do a great work. He
Volutionized the camp.