Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-10-23
The Late Outrage at Ellsworth,

From the Boston Journal, October 1871
Much indignation is expressed by the Maine
newspapers at the conduct of the people who.
| on Saturday night last in Ellsworth attacked
the Rev. John Bapst, Catholic priest, and
committed various disgraceful indignities upon
his person. The Bangor Mercury learns The
following details of the affair from the Inns of
| Mr.. Bapst himself:
| Mr. Bapst was stopping at the house of Mr..
| hent, short distance out of the village; and
between eleven and twelve O'Clock on Satur-
DAY nlght mob OF about one hundred men
| approached the house and broke In Mr..
oapst fed into the cellar. where he was found
by the rufians, and dragged forth into the
peting storm. He was then robbed of his
watch and wallet When this was being done,
| he cried out that they were robbing him Sew,
| eral replied, mo will not rob you. We are
Americans and not robbers
The ruttians then stripped him, tearing his
great coat in Thousand pieces, and having
| completely denHded him, tar and feather
were soon brought and applied to his person
all over. He was then mounted on rail and
| carried to ship yard about a half mile dis
tant, where he was left, and thence made his
| way back to Mr.. kent's having been exposed
| naked to the storm about two hours
While the tarring and feathering was going
on, he WAS Knocked and reviled with horrid
blasphenaies and indecencies. lie was asked
why ne came over to this country? "To preach
the Catholic doctrine, ~ he replied. 1--WE are
Professionals, the rufians said " and will tea Oh
you better than that" One hooking him said,
scornfully: $50 they prosecuted Jesus of
Old % Another, reviling, asked, "Will the
Virgin Mary save you?' These blasphemies
temind one of the mockings on Calvary Some
children, DC. These are the most decent of
the insults and are all that admit of publica.
tion.
Some Of the mob were urgent for greater
violence and proposed hanging him, but the
leader continually dissuaded from violence,
calling repeatedly to the boys" not to hurt
him This leader used decent language, and
appeared to feel a responsibility to carry the
business through with honor to his &C boys"
Notwithstanding the lndignities suffered by
Mr.. Bapst, he was able to appear at the desk
| on Sunday, and preach to the Catholic congre-
cation. He was, however, or Sunday evening
further threatened with death if he did not
leave town. The Irish population, incensed
and exasper ated, assembled together, armed
themselves with hatchets, pitchforks and such
weapons as they could command took Mr.
Bapst into their custody, and were deter
mined to protect him to the death. Upon this,
Mr. Jarvis, one OF the most worthy citizens of
the town, obtained permission of Mr.. Bapst's
friends to take him into his own house, guar
anteeing him protection &c if it cost him his
life''
The Immediate cause eff the outrage upon
Mr.. Bapst consisted in the fact that he had
been connected with controversy respecting
The right or the authorities to enforce the
reading OF book in school Oh the part OF
scholars whose parents objected to it. Being
overruled by the authorities, he had brought
the matter before the neutrality-suspicious.
tribunals, where 1t is now awaiting decision
The outrage will inaict deep stain upon the
town Of Ellsworth, and must be deplored by
every good citizen.
We are pleased to learn that tho report Of