The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-05-12
I'm Rights, Agriculture, Literature and Miscellany
TERRIFIC SCENE IN CHURCH,.
Marriage Ceremony Interrupted!

|
Marriage Ceremony Interrupted!
The Lancaster (Penn.) Expiess of We'd
nesday, says
"a scene of the widest excitement occur
red last evening at St. James (Episcopal)
Church, in this city, which,, for time
threatened to be very serious in its eonse-
! quences. 1t having become generally
known that the marriage of two young la
dies, both highly esteemed aud enjoying an
extensive circle of friends and ndscguaintances
was to take place in the church, the one at
seven and the other at eight O'Clock, an un-
usually large congregation collected to wit
ness the ceremonies. Long before the hour
named for the first marriage, the church
was crowded to its utmost capacity. The
pews, galleries and stairways and vestibule,
were packed full of men, women and chill
dren, and by the time the bridal party ar
rived many persons were unable to gain
admittance, who consequently collected at
| the windows on the street.
The appearance of Mr. Fisher and Miss
Diller, at about u O'Clock. was the signd
| for general and disgraceful scramble for
| available positions for witnessing the cere
monies. Many of those present appeared
| to have no regard for their own decency or
the sacred character of the house. They
stood on the seats and even scrambled on
the backs of the pews, the spectacle pre-
sented being more like what is sometimes
seen in theatre than we ever witnessed in
church. Amid this confusion the solemn
and impressive ceremony was commenced
by Rev. Jacob w. Diller, brother of the
happy bride but before its conclusion the
confusion was renewed in consequence of
many persons becoming alarmed by the
creaking of bench in one of the galleries
which they supposed was the gallery itself
giving way under the great weight upon it.
The ceremony being over, the bridal par
ty had scarcely retired from the church,
when an old bench which had formerly been
carried into the organ gallery gave way un-
der the weight of those standing upon it
The crash started a frightful panic. Some
person in the gallery cried out that the gal
lery was falling, and general stampede
commenced in all parts of the church. The
lower windows were thrown up, and used
by many as a means of exit. One young
gentleman was so terribly frightened, that
he quite forgot the lady he had escorted to
the church, and made a break through the
nearest window, carrying with him the en-
tire lower section of sash. He was quickly
followed by couple of ladies, and others
were prevented from leaping out by those
on the inside who had presence of mind
sufficient to see that there was no real dan
ger, except that which arose from the panic.
Several ladies got out of one of the gallery
windows, descending on the vestry roof,
and from thence into the church-yard. A
number of ladies tainted, which, with the
screaming and praying, the rattling of
blinds and broken glasses, presented
frightful spectacle. Ihose under the gal
lery supposed to be falling, made rush in
the direction of the pulpit, overturning and
slightly damaging the baptismal font, and
carrying away the bannister in front of the
chancel.
DR.. Atlee, who had been sent for to at
tend to those supposed to be injured, finally |
somewhat quieted the tumult by announcing
that nobody was hurt and that there was no
real danger. But the crowd still fingered |
to witness the nuptals of Mr. EhIer and
Miss Calder, until DR.. Bowman announced |
that the ceremony would not be performed |
in the church. Even then many persons !
regarded this as ruSe on the part Of the |
Doctor to get clear of the crowd, and it was
not until the Sexton began t, turn off the
gas that the church was cleared. The Sc
cond bridal party repaired to the residence
Of the brides father, where the ceremony
was performed by DR.. Bowman, and the
happy pair at once prepared to start on
their wedding tour in the evening train.