Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-08-29

Ad<o<AteI
Scene It 70 Camp Meeting in Texas
Thu Clergy 70 Arms.
At tho Texana Camp-Meeting
j witnessed q scene seldom wit
messed at such places. The pre-
siding elder. James =. Ferguson,
at the commencement Of the
meeting, published the usual
rules intended to govern such
meetings. One Of these rules
was, that the gentlemen should
not sit among the ladies' and con-
verse With them during service.
This rule was repeatedly disre-
garded; indeed, by a cosiderable
number, no attention was paid to
|it at all. Repeated remonstran-
|ces were addressed to them from
the pulpit, but they we're USE
less.
On Sunday morning at eight
o'clock. Rev. j. w. Shipman
|preached;anc during the service
his hearers we're greatly annoyed
by ladies and gentlemen. AT
the close Of the service. Mr.. Fer
guson, in a few remarks on the
improperly Of su:h conduct, in-
|iimated, with some plainness, that
lit was "a mark Of ill-breeding."
This gave offence to young gen.
tleman. recently from Kentucky.
About dinner time, he attacked
Mr.. Ferguson, accompanied by
his friends, in pretty rough Ian
guage. He was told that the re-
mark was generul-applied 10 all
who we're guilty Of such conduct
and not aimed at him personal
y, as Mr.. Ferguson did not
know him. He was further told,
however, that the denunciation
Of the conduct in question could
not be retracted. In the reply to
the denial that the remark was
aimed at any particular person,
Mr.. Ferguson was called a liar
to his face, and threatened with
further attention.
The excitement soon spread
over tho camp ground, and was
greatly increased by the report
Of the threat that Mr.. Ferguson
would not be allowed to enter
the pulpit at the three o'clock
service, unless he agreed to make
a public apology. 70 this, ] sup
pose. Mr.. Ferguson was not
much inclined. But he was call
ed upon to decide in reference to
lit; for the preachers present, and
the tent holders, declared that
he should make no apology, and
that he should enter the pulpit.
II was found that the young gen.
tleman inquestion, and his friends,
we're stationed near the pulpit,
and it was asserted that many
men would support them.
Times became exciting rs the
crisis approached. The preach.
ers retired to their tent for con-
sultation. 1t was determined that
no unkind word should be spoken,
land that nothing rash or hasty
should be done. But it wns unan.
|imously resolved that Mr.. Fergu.
son should 60 into the pulpit, and
that every preacher present sho'd
support him in the attempt, by
force. IL 1t became necessary
Mr.. Ferguson and the minister
who was to preach at that hour,
we're left alone In the tent; the
rest went to the stand and took
their seats.
At length the hour approach.
ed tho stand. When about fiE
teen PAGES from the pulpit, the
young gentleman rose up TO meet
Mr.. Ferguson, placing hand on
each shoulder, told him be could
not enter the pulpit without ma
king anapology. lie was inform
ed that it could not be done. Mr.
[. Ferguson not stopping, the young
man walked along with him, ho..-
ding to his left arm, insisting in Q
low tone on. an apology, and get
ting the above mentioned reply
In the same tone. When about
five PAGES from the pulpit, he
made an attempt to stop Mr., Fer
guson, vehemently, though still
in a low tone, demanding an ap'
ology.
At that moment, such a forcs
suddenly rose up around him a.
utterly overwhelmed him. Ont
man jerked his hand loose from
Mr.. Fergusou's arm. Another
! a man Of enormous strength, wht
had in his hand loadened whiE
sufficient to have broken man,
skull, confronted him, brandishin,
his whip, and said, "You can
come it, sir" 1t was all done 50
| quickly, and in such a low tone o