The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1871-10-26
Scranton correspondence.
SCRANTON. Oct. %. lS1l

IoChANlON. OSO. -, lCII.
FRIEND ScHoCH 1t was announced
through the columns of the papers of this
city, last Week, and also by small posters dis
tributed around the streets, that the Rev
Arthur p. Devlin, would, on Saturday even
ing, Dist inst, at Kiefers Hall, "Give his
reasons for renouncing Catholicism. Now,
it is a well known fact that large portion
of the population of this city is composed OF
Irishmen-who follow to the letter, the Ro-
man Catholic creed, and as soon as it became
known that sermon or lecture upon this
subject was to be delivered, trouble was an
ticipated. At the appointed hour the Rev.
gentleman repaired to the hall, and immedi-
ately commenced his discourse. He was
permitted to proceed undisturbed for few
moments, the crowd, in the meantime, IN
creasing in numbers very fast. Finally they
commenced calling him liar, and using the
most abusive language Finding that this
mode of procedure would not bring about
their desired object, they commenced yelling
and cursine, until he was compelled to cease
speaking, it being impossible for him to
make himself heard. He then went to the
corner of Lackawanna and Penn avenues,
where, after elevating himself upon a store
box, he again commenced his lecture. The
mob, so-called, soon gathered around him
and, by proceeding in the same manner as at
the hall, they soon succeeded in compelling
him to stop again, and seek the protection of
the police, to escort him to his hotel. On
Sunday, at about 2 p. m., he again appeared
on Lackawanna avenue, mounted upon a
store box, and once more undertook to give
his reasons for renouncing Catholicism, and
in very short time an immense concourse
of people had gathered He had proceeded
for about fifteen or twenty minutes, when
the crowd commenced kissing and halowing
in manner that would have done credit to
a band of demoniac savagcs on the war
path" Being Of somewhat courageous
nature, however, he still proceeded, when
the box was kicked from under him, and he
suddenly found himself standing upon terra
frma He again mounted the box, APP
parently determined to finish his discourse,
when the mob, whose excitement he had
worked up to the very highest pitch, made
a rush for him, and had it not been for the
assistance of officer Shllwell, and several
others, he would undoubtedly have been
murdered on the spot. They again started
for the hotel at which he was stopping,
followed by an immense crowd some Of whom
were in for killing him, while others were
ready and willing to lend their assistance in
protecting him. They had proceeded but a
short distance up the avenue, when the Rev.
gentleman, who was supported on either
side by an officer received stunning blow
on the back of the head, from one of the
infuriated demons, which sent him headlong
into the gutter, and also cut a severe cash
in his head. He soon recovered himself,
however, and, after considerable strategcm
on the part of the officers and those who
would protect him, they succeeded in getting
him to place OF safety And thus ended
one of the most disgraceful scenes that has
ever been witnessed upon the streets Of
Scranton-not even surpassed by the riotous
conduct Of the devils in human form during
the late suspension. And the question very
naturally arises, what class of people rule
the city of Scranton?' Free Press and
Free Speech Bah.
1t is rumored that Mr. J. D. Lacair the
present political editor of The MomiAg Re
publican, in connection with another ex-
perienced journalist of this city, viii start a
Republican evening daily newspaper in this
city, early in the new year. If the rumor be
true, We earnestly hope the enterprise may
prove a success.