The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-30
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DISTURBANCE IN CHURCH.
prom the New Bedford Mercury. oc,. % !

tfroin the New beuiori Mercury, Oct 70 tffa "a
few days since we recorded church difficulty In the
Calvinst Baptish church icolored) Middle street
There was another meeting Monday evening which
greatly exceeded la confusion and all manner Of noisy
demonstrations the previous The origin Of the diff
cuty some five six months since between the
pastor, Rev. Wm Jackson and the trustees portion of
the members charging tho Rev. gentleman with having
appropriated TO himself without their knowledge or con
sent certain amounts OF funds belonging to the church
which, they aege took place about two years since but
have not until brought the matter up for investiea
ton. council had previously been held, and It was
voted that the charges without foundation and
that the pastor be retained The decision however was
not satisfactory to the opposite sde and last night being
business meeting the friends and opponents met in
battle array and most tumultuous and exciting meet
ing was had.
AS soon the members had all convened, one man
arose ro, his seat rushed to the secretary table and
seized the records and others proceeded to render him
aid If any required The secretary tried TO regain
them, but unable to do Itnow seemed as though
all Bedlam was let loose. Some yelling to the top
OF their voices, some running way and another
and there every indication Of general knock down
The pastor endeavored to get into his possession
the church records which excited Mrs Nelson that
she seized hold of cricket and with appraised hands
and hair standing out like porcupine quilts, attempted
violent assault upon him, which frightened him that
he Immediately took to his heels and seen no morel
member, while talking rapidly and ncohereny, was
upon the point of emphasizing 'bg word, when his
arm came in contact with shaded lamp, breaking the
glass and scattering oil upon the new rig Of the
try, Mr. Dunlap Several persons fastened to the
tary. while Others came to his assistance
Blows freely interchangcd inside the church. and
one woman, Mrs. Castle, slapped outside, Such
expressions ''put him down, che shall not stay"
"stand back keep hands off Of me- " ''who are your
Ito the devil with ye with not unfrequent cries OF
'murder! murder !" heard in all parts of the
church. The members wrought up to the highest
pitch Of anger and excitement Neither party would lis
ten for moment to what the other would say but each
seemed bound to carry the matter through on his
own hook The noise attracted the attention Of neigh
bors and passersby. Windows were raised and Whats
the matter 2? was asked all sides. Finally, it
deemed expedent to call in the police. Some of the
parties got wind of it, and slowly but reluctantly left
The police came, but the curtain falling and the
last net in the drama was over.
During the melee inofensvc girl very seriously
injured on her sides and abdomen She stated to her
attending physician, Dr. Bartlett that she received her
bruises in attempting to Richard johnson under
seat from the peltings Of four bury full sized pugs
one of whom had got him, the "flncy'' have IT, in
"chancery. While she doing this, she was pitched
into by the wife of VIM. Bush and her four enragcd
daughters.
One Of the persons most severely pummclled James
Rich The minister it appears by the statement of the
girl, either frightened or his Christian gaces 50
much abounded that he from the field of battle.