The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, July 21, 1908, Page FIVE, Image 5
H Till] SLEEPING PARSON.
Major Z. F. Wright Tells A New
BB York Times Reporter Of The
Wonder.
The following; interview with Mr.
R. Z. F. Wright was published in the
New York Times of the 12th and will
be read with interest:
H Major Zaehlmus ,F. Wright of Ncw
berry, S. C., who is staving at the
W Ilolcl Manhattan, wa-- telling some
? ?f his cotton milling friends in Now
B York the other day the strange story
*of the liev. Hezekiah Klijali l'errv
||^ of Silver Street, Newberry county, S.
PC., the only negro, parson on the face
of tlie earth, according to Major
Wright, who is illiterate while awake
and highly educated when in a trance.
I Flic parson is nothing more or less
than a psychological wonder. lie
is known from the banks of the Saluda,
where he has so long enthrallIed
his hearers with 11 is sleeping discourses,
to the banks of the Congarec,
fifty miles further south, as the
"sleeping preacher of the Saluda hav
fields.''
"For nearly a quarter of a century,"
said Major Wright, "this
stran?e negro has burn preaching his
sleeping sermons. Although scores of
people in Newberry and adjoining
counties pronounce him an impostor,
I lie is nothing of the kind. Old Hez|
ckiah must now be well on the way to
^ the threc-score-and-ten mark, and although
he lias been examined by noted
physicians and psychologists, who
have applied every possible test to
find out whether lie was shamming,
he has stood every test so far, and to
my mind there is no doubt about the
genuineness of the Silver Street wonder.
"When awake Hezekiah is just
like any other ordinary South Carolina
darkey. He is well behaved,
iTmrleous, and respectful, in fact the
wide-awake Ferry is a good specimen
of what the old, hefore-tlie-war darkies
were. Hut in a trance he is a
different person. 1 have heard him
preach and watched psychologists,
physicians, and college professors try
to solve the mystery of his sleeping
power, but so far the answer to the
puzzle is missing. In the meantime
the parson goes on hts way, preaching
his sleeping sermon* and thriving
t hereby.
"Here is how Hezekiah does it.
Every Sunday morning he ascends
his little pulpit at Silver Street, and
the moment lie mounts the rostrum he
goes into a cataleptic state, from
which he cannot be aroused until the
benediction is pronounced. There lie
stands rigid as a pole, long, lean, and
uncanny looking. It's the appearance
of a mummy, and only the working
of the mouth ami the sound of
the well measured voice indicates that
the preacher is alive.
" First a hymn is announced by
the sleeper, and then he leads the congregation
joining in. 'In the Sweet
Bye and Hve' and the various hallelujah
combinations ate his favorites,
and llmsc darkies almost lift the roof
of that little chapel when Ile/.ekiah
starts them to singing. The singing
of the?first song over, Hezekiah dedecites
the Lord's Fraver, the enunciation,
being perfect, only the slew
montonous song-song way of its recital
indicating the rataieptic state
of the parson. The Lord's Prayer is
followed with another of his own,
and that prayer, as a rule, would do
credit to a New Yoric clergyman.
"Next comes the sermon, and there
' is where Hezekiah rhinos Although
without any literary trailing whatever,
he reads passages in I he Scriptures
with his eyes closed, and not
once does he make a mistake as to
book, chapter, verse, or phraseology.
Awake he could not do that to save
his life. The nearest, for instance,
that he can come to saying Nebuchadnezzar
when he is awake is to mumble
something that sounds like 'Nebudlmd-a-razzer,?
but in his trance he can
rattle that word off like a professor
in a theological seminary.
"Ts this darky person an impostor.1?
I think not. Instead lie is a genuine
instance of a psychological freak.
Not so long ago Hezekiah was the subject.
of a long debate before the soda
fountain in my good friend Weeks's
drug store. The upshot of that discussion
was that it was decided to
bring Hezekiah to Newberry and give
him a chance to make good in the
city opera house. The plan went
through and Hezekiah came, did not
see, and conquered. The test was conclusive
to my mind. My neighbors
in Saluda say that the negroes have
even tried the red-pepper test 011 him.
The stuff was held before his nostrils
and even rubbed into his mouth and
eyes, but. did Hezekiah respond to the
test as an ordinary man would have5/
He did not. He didn't even sneeze,
although there was enough pepper
used to make everybody in ForlyMccoiid
Street sneeze half a day.
"After ordinary rests had failed to
<!
houso in the State keeps u
ty and tell the tale of unmal
an give you as much, exoe^
current of popular favor tY
\FTER THE BIG SI
mants, odds and ends, sma
irit behind the gun that <
Be lively, step quick, and
)e and Slipper Sale. Mir
5 and SliDpers must go We hi
goods now rolling in. buj|et al
the boys and girls along, j
'ou what pluck, energy
Calicoes
and Spreads. 2
e , . , , . only $ 1 (
15c. kind to go on sale . , .
? 1 bale
j tt* i / i . i , worth 8
is, $ 1.69c. kind, at only 3 bale
) inches, 2 1-2 yds. wide, ^
yard. 3 bale
-15c. kind, at only the Pr'ce
25 pie
't mistake the place. instead c
mm:*
to us as being made by would be co
isy, but in justice to ourselves we wi
capital, there can be no shame for tl
s beyond a question of a doubt that
d to compare our increased sales of
my ambition to continue to make th
0 A holier oll'icer never stuck, j Tin
lie is also handy al such tables
e For lie ale mili 1 lie was quite (lis-J An
;t abled.
II If
i- Wo rt member with pleasure our |
a friend Koppel ' He
u Who enjoyed the <l.*nner but prefers;
d (lie bottle. i Fo
?t He gots plenty to eat, or such is bis!
looks, ill,,
t. I wonder wbero is niv friend Crooks.!
" Bu
k "Sou are all acquainted wilb Jeweler j
10 Si-bolt/,
d Who ate so much ho needed some . I.a
boots, i \v
d To keep him from bursting; in ttiei
d roar, jll,
'U For he has to have some room for '
d layer beer, 'Al
W e must also mention old man .laener, i
' ? \\ ho said, boys, vol will von have bet- X<
tor? " ' j
Allhough be is old he stood to 1 ho j A?
raek, Kr
"K 1'iitil he bad filled tin4 vorv last crack. At
!8
d On this side of the table sal Alderman
y (Mine, V,
Who has a very pleasant face and
- mind Hi,
>f lie did justice to pota^es, turkey'
and cake, ' Fs
y And said, Mr. Klettncr, you <iro good i
IC on the bake. Fo
r* Next eaino the other Wheeler Bro. of
course, Co
Who likes cake and brandy for toast,
b Some think that in eating he beat WI
n them all
With exception of Moid, whose mouth Th
^ is quite small.
Fo
^ Now .Timmio Thoma.-.-m, my son, you
are quite small,
Many more such dinners will make ^
n you tall.
I congratulate you for refusing the js
e wine,
But you made up on the turkey, so 'ph
n you will not. be behind.
' ^ j
Mr. Alexander, sat a sighing,
Ate all the cowcumbers Klettner was
t, buying
d But when it comes u? wine he never
refuses,
e Says ho can get goose whenever he '
d chooses. yn
Our friend Ward afr the low end of <
1 the table
I Ate all the good things he was able,
When he got through he wiped his Sel
it mustache, $ 1."
And said, boys, this beats barbecued set
hash. ; I,.,
! Now. dear Moses. I w'sh '.mi mm !
j ,i?>y.
The fastest growing
com^ day after day bu
in this entire section c
powerless to stem the
/
The big sa'e left rerr
half price. It's the sp
morning at 9 o'clock.
Mimnaugh's Greatest Sin
Every pair of low cut Shoei
We neeci the room for new
Hunt the bargain tables, bring
I'll Shoe 'em up, and show >
and greenbacks can do.
Towels Sheeting
100 doz. Huck Towels, the
at only 9c each.
100 large white Bed Sprea<
98c. each.
5 pieces Linen Sheeting 9C
the $1.25 kind, at only 69c.
5 pieces Brown Linen, the
yard 9c.
Follow the crowds, you can
These remarks have come
were made in a spirit of jealou
in a small room, with a small
that v/e were small. It prove
greatest assets 1 will be gla
to serve you as ever, and it is
awaken tin; sleeping parson at th
Newberry experiment somebody suj!
gested a hot iron. The iron was mad
white hot and its point placed again*
old llezekiah's ankle. Tt"burned a
right, but llezekhih kept on preacl
in jr. It did not make him move
muscle. Next somebody stuck a pi
almost through his hand, but thnt ha
no ell'ect either, and lle/.ekiah kcj
on exhorting.
''Finally came the supreme tes
That was nothing more nor loss tha
'the extraction of a good tooth. Fran
Wilson and Marcus Spearman, wli
saw that lest applied,.said nfl.erwav
that it look all the strength of Mm
men to get that molar out of ol
llezekiah's jaw. Hut lle/.ekiah di
no! move an inch, and tlie serine
proceeded as if nothing unusual ha
happened.
''The tests more than half eonvim
ed many doubters that the old negi
is a genuine phenomenon."
A Great Dinner.
(This poem was written 28 veai
ago and the dinner was served '2
years ago. The poem is repnblishe
with the addition of one stanza b
Mr. ,1. 11. Chappell.?Kd. II. Sc. N.)
The celebration of Mr. M. S. Kps
tin's 21sl bi r I Inlay and also in bom
of Mr. A. Koppel's visit to Newborr;
was a time long lo be remembered h
the many friends who enjoyed M
bountiful and delicious dinner pr<
pared and given to tliem by M
Klettncr.
Col. Mord Foot, who sat at Ihe hea<
Ate such amount to make a doze
men dead
Before he was half through he 1<
slack his strings
To make preparations for otb<
nice things.
Next en me J. B. Wheeler who sat o
his left,
Ate turkey wing until lie was quit
defl.
JTe stood to his post like old Joe Ogm
But said, no, thanks, I'll not take sc
gum.
The next, in rank was our friend Pa
Who ate much more than lie coul
hold in bis bat,
He said we are sorry we cant do mor
Wo will take a walk, come back an
cat up the core.
You are all familiar with little Fr
King
Who is always ready for anything.
He ate Klellner's dinner with gren
dist racl ion
Then asked if Ihe cake gave satisfar
I ion.
Next came Policeman Huck,
p its remarkable run o
tchable tr ading opporti
Dt promises, for your r
iat rushes to this big st
rORM COMES 1
ill lots, etc. We'll say j
1o\s the work. The I
don't stop until you gel
nnaugh's Trade Winners.
t tho bull's eye with the low pi
the first shot.
: standard American Indigo E
at only the yard 4 l-2c.
es Androscoggan L. Bleach
30 worth to each buyer at 8;\c.
standard Newberry Mills Drill
1 -3c. at 5c. yd.
s John P. King celebrated
forth 8 1-3 at 5c. yard.
s River Side Plaids, you all ki
; is 8 l-3c., here at 6 l-4c# y
:ces 5-4 standard Table Oil CI
>f 25c., at only 15c. yd.
^Ssr?09ML?E
mpetitors while we were close
ish to state that while it is true
r!s, nor need 1 blush to admit i
I started right, and have won t
1908 with any merchant in N<
is the biggest and most populai
i' lie x I 111 i 11 u l<>r von i> i line baby '
hoy. j
il when you u?'l married let mo j
know, 1
Klettnor prepares dinner I'll he 1
sure |o go.
sure in have Johnnie to hand
'round I lie things
i' lie loves (lie good news (lie factory
brings,
' <-li:illcrs and lauciis with Miss A. i
? 1
so l;nr, ;
I he lakes care to keep Wad Curd
from pulling his hair.
si hul not least routes Olio we love '
ho is gentle and kind as a turtle,
dove,
1 spreads bountiful (tinners for those
of his ehoiep
id says, hoys, help yourselves and
rejoice.
>w, dear, Otto we thank you from j
our heart,
id hope that we may never depart, j
oni the ways of rectitude and right, j
id if you are I in trouble call on ns
to fight.
I
>ur humble servant, the writer,!
wishes you all success
it thinks if In? had been well he j
could do I he best, ?
pecially to fried chicken, cake and |
ice cream, j
r on such things he is a six horse
teapi.
Sequel.
mposed and written by our worthy |
chief,
ho caught and had nabbed many n
notorious thief,
crefore, as a fraud, if you hear the j
rattle,
How quietly to the guard house i
our friend J. II. Oliappell.
O. K. |
I
e fair and square n>ealcr is still on
hand
bound to bis friends with an iron
band,
ough twenty-eight years is past
and gone,
better man than Klettner has never
been born.
J. II. C.
TEACHER WANTED.
rhe patrons antf trustees of the
ughnville school will meet SaturV,
August 1st, at 3 o'clock p. m.,
the Vaugbnville school house to
el, a teacher for the eoming term.
Iiool to run 0 or 7 months. Salary j
> per month. Applications to be!
I t<> the below trustees on or bo-j
e August 1st.
C. A. r,rooks. I
llenr.v Woi I:i! ; ii.
T:u,lee
f prosperity and progresi
jnities at Mimnaugh s.
noney as you can get l*
;ore.
"HE WRECKAGE.
good bye to th& whole lo
big bargain wheel start
t inside the canvas front
$1.50 Long Silk Gloi
ice There seems to be no e
Gloves. The crowds grow
*'ue is a wide assortment in thi
and worth $1.50 and $2.0
ing, pair guaranteed, blacks, tan
yd- 46 in. White French
ing,
Actual 25c. quality, full
Sea the yd 15 cents.
10c. Colored La1
10W
arcj The biggest arid best lot
oth, had this season, beautiful
actual 10c. quality at 5c. ;
d up preparing for our big sale.
1 began business in this town y(
it, the opposite should really be tl
he confidence of the people, whi
iwberry handling the lines 1 hand
r store in upper Carolina.
Cents and
The imerest we give begins wit 11
lars. It is a small beginning truly
about this final result. Figure ho*
week for a number of years and th
interest. It will be interesting-- :i
I mind to do it?most profitable. \\
Four Per Cent OnSa
Our institution is under the su
examined by the State Hank Ivxai
i The Bonk of
I Pi osperit
I 1)R. GEO. Y. HUNTER,
? President.
I J. P. BROWNE,
j Cashier.
111 liMBmwwmuiupi
| WWBMBBWBBBMBIMBBaBBMaBBUKCTCa
BELTS AND
AT
Mower
Leather Belts in Black, T?
and girdle shapes. ,
Get a Merry W
Have you seen the new ad
changed from one size to an<
Buckles an
Pearl Buckles and Pins in ro
imitation Silver Belt Pins, Be
; Egyptian Cameo and Gold Fl
J Everything for the Lad!' s.
C.IG.S'h
i
fl
s. Th<; crowds that
There p. n ">t a store
lore. Competition is
>t this week at just
s again Wednesday
at Mimnaugh's.
fes at Only 89c. Pair.
nd to our selling long Silk
r with every sale. T^ere
s lot, full 16-button len^'. is,
'0, at credit stores, every
s and whites at only 89c. pr.
Lawn at 15c. Yard.
46 in. wide, special at only
wns at 5c. Yard.
fine colored Lawns we've
designs, polka dots, etc.,
/ard.
B?r^3LJLT
As a matter of fact they
-ars ago with a small rtock,
he case. I should e oroud
ich I consider one ut the
le. I am here to slay, and
Dollars. I
i cents ;iii<1 cuds with clot - ||
. I>tit there is no <|iH'stion Q
v much you can save each I
cn add to it ioui per cent
nd if you make u]> your j
c will wcIimnne you. . ;
vings Deposits. I
|>ci v'ision ol and regularly '
iiiner. j;'i
Prosperity, |
y, S. C. 1
DR. J. S. W'l I KKI,KR, |
V. President. ,;.
J. A. COUNTS, N
Assistant (fishier. 11
iKTtKiWfi >$& ? X?ERaajM ft.
BUCKLES
Co's.
m and Colors, straight
'idow Belt.
justable Belt? Can be
^ther. Just 50c.
d Pins.
und and square shapes,
It Pins In Brooch effect,
lied Sash Pins.