The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1873-03-27
FIRST BLOOD FOR SHORES.
FIGHT BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE
FIRST (COLORED) BAPTIST
CHURCH.

The fcud tina, has so long existed among
the members OF the First Missionary Baptist
church, (colored) over which the Rev.
Thomas j. Shores presides, eliminated yes.
terday in bloody tight between the trustees
chosen by the Shores faction and one of the
opponents, or, a, Mr.. shores terms them.
"Sesesh."
The cause Of the collision yesterday was
this Night before last. in order TO get pos.
session Of the church, the opponents of Mr..
Shores went 10 the church, and gaining
admission through one of the windows. took
the old lock of from the door and replaced
1t by new one. Yesterday morning whe n
MIR. shores vent 10 the church he found that
the "sesesh" had '.stolen march, on him
and "ieit him out in the cold shortly after
Mr.. Shores trustees came upon the ground,
and when they learned what had been done.
grew rath. and vowed vengeance upon
the heads of the perpetrators the dastardlv
deed. The news Of what had hap.
pened, and the belief that a
general wool-pulling, eye.bungiug and
nasal-mashing row was imminent. at
tracted large number of colored people TO
the vicinity of the church, and by ten O'Clock
crowd Of not less than three hundred had
come together. There was present in large
numbers friends Of both factions. They
were al more or less excited, and TO start
The ball rolling it was only necessary for the
leaders to give the word.
Several colored women, adherents of Mr..
shores, declared that "dat door have got to
come open,' and suiting the action 10 the
word, went for the door and it did come
open, the new lock being too weak 10 resist
the force applied TO break it.
Wheh the door was opened Mr.
shores and his friends entered the house.
when a consultation was held, and deter
mination TO hold it against any and all
corners not In sympathy with them wa,
agreed upon.
About this time, Mr.. Alex. Booth. a col.
ored man, and member OF the board of
trustees elected by the opponents OF Mr.,
shores, arrived ut the church and ATTEMPTED
10 enter the house. When he reached the
steps, and was about to pass through the
door, he was met by three or four men from
the inside OF the building, who forbid him to
come any further. Booth was not man TO
be "choked of" so easily, and relying
on his ability to "git away" with
his opponents, was about to pass in
when one OF the men, by quick reach, sue
ceeded In snatching Booths revolver, which
he carried in the inside pocket of his vest
This wa. the signal, and the fight COM
menced. Booth was knocked down,
dubbed over the head with his own rcyol.
YER, kicked, cufled, and used up generally.
During the time the fight was going on, it is
said MIR. shores stood In the door and urged
his "deacons TO go in and, ''if they would
fight, TO fight with determination to come
out first best" But for the truth OF thi,
statement we will not youch, for Mr.. Shores
says under oath that he did not use any such
language.
Booth was badly cut about the head and
face, but received no other injuries worth
mentioning. 4 warrant was issued for the
arrest OF John Jennings, Joseph stevens,
benjamin Nelson and man named Cation
who were charged with being the assaulting
parties. The trial came of yesterday after
noon, Messrs. Pope and ID. W. Mum appear
ing for the prosecution, and d. +. Linegar
Tor the defense. Nelson was discharged,
and line Of $40 and costs assessed
against each OF the other three men