The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-01-02
Violent Assault upon the Rev, Jo-
O seph Anderson.


A most brutal assault took place in
our village on Friday evening last. Ed
ward w. Parks, with horse whip in hand,
accompanied by William II. Parks, late
Prosecuting Attorney of oursillage, went
to the residence Of the Rev. JosEPH AN
DEksoN, pastor Of The First Cougrega-
tional Church, and, on the appearance Of
Mr. A., to answer his knock at the door,
be invited him to step out, as he wished
to speak with him moment, assuring
Mr.. ANDERSON that his intentions were
of peaceful character; but, on stepping
out, Parks struck him several blows'with
the whip before Mr. MOSES EVERETT, who
was on call at Mr.. AS residence, could
place himself in position to avert the
blows from the Rev. gentleman. q 'f
The attack was premeditated, and
prompted, as alleged by Parks, for an in
suit offered to his (Parks) wife. Isl
Great excitement prevails In our com
munity relative TO this affair, and we I'M
hesitatingly declare there is but one SEN
timeht expressed, without reference to the
merits of the case, and that is of utter
condemnation Of the act, and denuncia-
ton Of it as the most brutal, satanic
movement that ever disgraced our village,
inflicted on an aged and defensoless per
son, and one high in the esteem of our
community as citizen and minister Of
the gospel. Parks gave himself up 10
the authorities, was fined a nominal sum
and permitted TO 60 free.
A meeting Of the Congregational
Church and society was held on Sunday
afternoon to express their sympathy with
the Rev. j. ANDERSON ana family, and
to hear the facts in the case, at which a
committee Of four was appointed, Mcssrs,
EVERETT, HOPKINS, CUTLER and AXES
LEY, to draft resolutions expressive of the
sentiments of the church, society and
community, which were presented and
unanimously adopted at an adjourned
meeting on Monday. We give them TO
our readers: - -,
Whereas, On the evening Of Deem
Der %, 1860, wanton and cowardly as
sault was made on the person of tho Rev.
JOSEPH ANDERSON, at his own house, and
in the presence of his own family, by Ed
ward w. Parks, encouraged, aided and
abetted by William H. Parks, then act
ing as Prosecuting Attorney of Ottawa
County, therefore. s.e-
ReSolved, That we denounce the as
sault as wanton aud brutal, and not made
for the purpose Of redressing a supposed
injury, but the accomplishment of sworn
revenge by William Ii. Parks, as his pre-
vious acts and indecent language TO the
defenseess family of the Rev. JOSEPH
ANDERSON, on this occasion, all testify.
ReSolved, That we have entire conf
dence in the character Of the Rev. JOSEPH
ANDERSON, and that We believe that the
charges preferred against him, and circu'
lated in CHS community, are improbable
in their nature, malicious in their char
acter, aud unfounded in fact.
; ReSolped, That VIC tender to the Rev
JOSEPH ANDERSON and his family oul
sympathy, and, as friends and citizens
deeply deplore that such IN outrage
should have been committed. m t.
Resoleed, That We Will do all in oul
, power TO redress their wrongs.
john w. BARNS, for the Trustees o.
the Church, offered the following resolu.
! ton, which was unanimously adopted:
RcSolved, That, as further mark o.
appreciation and friendly regard, in behalf
: of our esteemed pastor, the Rev. JosEPH
ANDERSON, the sum of 5000 be added
to the amount of his present annual sal
airy. (.
On motion of Mr. EVERETT:
Resolved, That the resolutions and pro-
ceedings of this meeting be published in
the Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Detroit
and Holland newspapers
On motion it was
Resolved That the Rev. JosEPH AN,
DEpsoY be furnished with copy of the
resolutions. t.4,. r..,-y ,f,lt- ~.
GEORGE w. WOODWARD, CbR.
) ALBERT STEGEMAN, SeG'y. e.. ...r.
INCREASING DISTRESS IN SYRIA.-The
Anglo-American Relief Committee, al
: Beyrout have made q fresh and very ur,
: gent appeal for fiirther assistance. Thou.
sands have already died from exposure,
want and deeroir ond thu ,Uron,,oot :;