MOUNTAINEERS WHO WERE SHOOTING REVENUERS NOW SUBMISSIVE TO THE EVANGELIST
Winchester, Virginia (JFK+50) On June 11, 1922, the Evening Star published a dispatch revealing that "more than 100 mountaineers of Page County* (Virginia)...prayed long and hard that their sins might be forgiven."
The "sin" most in evidence "appears to be moonshining."
The dispatch states that religion is more of a factor in their conversion than the law. While they had been shooting revenue officers, now they were "submissive to the evangelist."
The particular evangelist in the matter is Rev. J.H. Fridley, a Methodist, who has been holding revival meetings** throughout the mountain districts.
*Page County is located in north central Virginia. Formed in 1831, it was named for John Page, Governor, 1802-1805.
**Revival meetings are Christian services held to gain new converts and call on sinners to repent.
SOURCE
"100 Mountaineers Converted; Promise to Quit Moonshining," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 11, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
