Mexico Missouri message., 1915-03-18
AN EXPERIENCE.
Rev. Petty, Formerly Of This County,
Fined I'm Court.

On Friday, the 9Th inst, left my
home in Montrose, Mo, for indie
pendence, Mo-, to meet my congre-
cation just out of the city to the
east few miles. The snow was
so deep we deemed it not advisable
to go out as no one could get to the
church. had to put up with my
friend, Mr.. Gabe Parr, who works
the prisoners in the county Jail on
the public roads. He asked me If l
would go with him to see the men
in Jail. l gladly accepted and we
walked down. l did not stop to con-
slider what 1 very well knew, that
the prisoners had an organized
court. 1t was quite amusing to me
to find we were both under arrest.
The prosecuting attorney had the
charge of entering the institution
without their consent. They asked
If we wanted to plead guilty. The
Judge gave me the minimum which
was 25 cents. Oh how they enjoyed
the joke. 1t was fun as well for
me.
After we had had a good visit
with them where all seemed to have
a good time they asked me to come
back the next day, Sunday, at 1880
D. m, and preach for them. I was
glad of the chance. l always feel
for the man who is down and out.
Brother Parr and 1 went back at
the appointed time. We found
them cleaned up and ready for US.
l took for my text Prov. 1 chapter
18th verse, Surely, in vain the net
is spread in the sight of any bird"
1 told them if the birds knew what
the net of the fowler meant they
would never go into it. I showed
how the devil had his net spread
and boys and girls were walking
right into it with mother and father
warnig them every day. Habits
forming into character, which be-
comes second nature and makes it
so easy to still go wrong and finally
ends in destiny. l referred them to
their good homes with loving moth
er who was still praying for them.
Some of the men were mere boys,
with tender hearts; they evinced
this by the tears they shed, while
others were hardened criminals.
One poor boy, the son of a minister
in Oklahoma. The father had
heard of his trouble and came a
week ago to try to get him out but
could not. He said he had but a
few days to serve and TIM he was
going home to start life over, a
wiser boy.
How my heart aches for the boy
or girl who goes wrong. 1t is much
easier to do right which never leaves
any scars in our lives or the hearts
of those who love us.
The boys who seemed to be so
much touched crowded around me
and asked me to pray for them.
I trust some boy or girl who is
about to start wrong if she or he
should read this may take warning
and call a halt.
1 forgot to say that my friend,
Mr.. Parr, had to pay so cents before
he got out of the prison court.
I remember a man visited in the
State prison at Jefferson City some
years ago by the name of HEARTILY
for the murder of Mr.. Wiley not
far from Benton City, Mo. "Bill,'
as he was called, plead with me to
help him to liberty. He had serv.
ed Z years of the so he was to serve
1 said, "Bill, would love to help you
but 1 can't" Said I, "You know you
said you would kill Jack Douglass
Bud Baker, James Harrison an6
others If you ever got your freedom
and you know these are some of oul
best people," He said, 81 have
learned something since came
here" He said, 81 will give yol
my honor, if have any left, that
will never trouble these men,"
l looked the big strong man il
the face and said, IT will do all / cal
for you" did, and in less than ST,
weeks Bill Hartley was a free man
He now lives about four miles from
my home town, Montrose, Mo-, OF
his farm, and has been trying t,
make good.
But it costs so much to lear
the lesson.
George W. Petty.