The Holly chieftain., 1915-08-06
Mike FINITY, MAN
OF MANY PARTS
Concludes His "reminiscences of
Checkered Career in Cool
idge and Vicinity,

~onCA0o08 Tab "Reminiscences OF
checkered Career in Cool
tdge and Vicinity.
THE final Interesting article about Holly
and Coolidge, in the days of their ado
lesence, by Q tenderfoot of varied ex.
perience and versatile talents, viz. /: the
inhabitant of palace (or dueouO
preacher Of the Gospel to cowboys, q
putilist OF note, the builder of church,
the terror OF boozers, boodlers, gam.
biers, saloonkeepers, and law. breakers
in General, q town lot boomer, a store
keeper, bank receiver, etc.l
Ihe General agent afterwards told me
about this petition. He wrote to them
and said all they asked of their AGENTS was
to treat every one who came to purchase
lots with common courtesy and be strictly
honest toward the company.
After thines settled down little, l used
my influence a. agent and secured two lots
for church. They were worth about
$500. fot them for 81. built the first
church that was built in Coolidge. don't
mean that paid all the costs, but do
mean TINT I did all the work, such as
raising the money, buying the lumber,
employing the carpenters, and turned it
over to the NJ. E. church without
dollars indebtedness. The other two
members of the building committee
skipped out, as they we're too busy pur-
suins the elusive dollar, which they never
tot.
Some queer things took place in this
church. One day a man came into my
Office and introduced himself as cowboy
preacher, and wanted the church for his
meeting. He considered himself a second
Moody. l talked with him half an hour,
but could see no ability as a preacher in
him. He was ignorant, but had a sonor-
Gus voice. thought that he could do no
harm. 80 let him have the church.
did not attend his meetings for over a
week, but when learned he was warm.
in9 up the sinner, l attended one night.
The church was crowded and | had to
stand up. A deep, religious feeling pre-
vailed. This cowboy preacher was
pounding the Bible, pounding the pulpit
and shouting. The church was full of
foul air, besides being very hot, and the
sweat was running down the preachers
face. Suddenly he stopped short and said:
"Will some good brother be kind enough
to uncork the church," The windows
we're lowered and church was uncorked.
He then asked those present to give
their religious experience. A woman who
recently had death in her family arose
She was very much agitated and announced
her intention of leading new life, and
when she sat down, he said: "That beats
the devil!" Only one step
+: FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS
He had a number of other bon mots
similar to those, which appeared to be
his whole stock in trade. l saw four or
five boozers at the altar seeking religion.
These men | saw going into saloon dives
three or four times a day. The open
saloons were then closed, but the dives
we're fourishinS. wrote the county at
torney to come up and hold an investiea-
ton according to the laws of Kansas. He
came, and every one of these men went
on the witnesA stand and perjured them.
selves; swore that they never got no
liquor there" A reliable man afterwards
told me he drank liquor there with every
one of these men.
l sat at table in restaurant in Cool
idEe with FIVE young men, and each one
of them admitted that if a man sold them
liquor, in violation Of the law, they would
swear to a lie-swear to the truth of a
falsehood, rather than convict him.
l made more money in Coolidge in two
years dabblins in town lots than made
in twelve years preaching, but this state.
ment should not be construed against tho
liberality Of church members Generally,
The people l preached to in Illinois were
poor people and could not pay much, but
by the active outdoor lite | led in Coolidge
and vicinity made something of far more
value than money, namely, good health.
In concluding these articles l wish to
state that every statement in them can be
verified by living witnesses. Nothing has
been misstated, nothing exaggerated.
l have written only part of the Incl.
dents that trapspired in Cooolidee during
NE 81