Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-08-02
B0TT ARRESTED IN CHURCH.
Charged With Not Providing for His
Wife and Children.

When Rev. Thomas B. Bott arrived
at his church, the Twelfth Baptist, about
a quarter-past eight last evening, he
smiled as he glanced at the congrega-
ton assembled, which consisted OF
thirty eight persons. He got into the
pulpit and began vigorously cooling him
self with a lady's fan. The hymn
"What Friend we have III Jesus" after
a few Intellectual trials, was sung, Miss
Lille Younger taking the lead The
pastor then announced that as it was the
usual Teusday evening prayer meeting,
he would take for his text a portion OF
Banyan's Pilgrims Progress. He spoke
of the true Christians and the pliable
one. The latter, he said, can be tempt
ed, as was evinced in some eX-members
of the flock, lone of whom does not live
more than a square from here; he was
one of your pliable Christians and now
he is an arch-fend. He got his price
and fell, | believe every man and
woman has his or her price. They can
be tempted and will fall" He stigmati-
zed those who had left the church re-
Gently as turn-backs, turn-oo oats, traitors,
back-sliders and pliables. He dwelt at
some length on love and hate.
Just as he was finishing the last prayer
a constable approached the pulpit, called
the reverend gentleman to one side and
read warrent for his arrest issued by
Magistrate Lukens on the complaint of
Mrs. Bot, charging him with failing to
provide for her and their children Mr..
Bott turned pale and the Precipitation
OOzed-from his forehead as he eXcitedly
asked, Did my wife do that?,' On being
assured of the fact he requested the
constable to wait outside for him
until he dismissed the congrega-
ton. The officer consented and
went outside. The congregation had
noticed their shepherds excited man
ner and surrounded him, with the
query: What's the matter?' He
answered evasively. and, quietly slip
ping out, joined the officer His flock
soon ascertained what was the matter.
and three of them burst into tears,
while others made such explanations
as " 1t is a shame !" "She should be
arrested, not Bott !" Bott urged the
officer to hurry away, as there was :" one
of those impudent newspaper reporters
| want to dodge" He even asked the
two officers to prevent the reporter
from following them, and to arrest him
if he tried to do so. Brother J. HI. Cas-
sci joined the party, which took zig
gag course to mislead the obnoxious
newspaper man. Mr. Bott once glanced
over his shoulders and asked, "Why is
it that the Legislature does not pass
some law by which these impudent, i'm
pertinent, prying and lying reporters
can be suppressed or prevented from
boring a man to death? They seem to
take a special delight in traducing peo-
pie better than themselves"
Mr.. Bot remained at the corner of
Sixth and Brown streets in custody of
one of the officers, while Mr.. Cassel, who
keeps a little grocery on Richmond
street, below Shackamexon, and the
other constable, entered the house of a
Magistrate. The grocer signed a 5000
bail bond to insure Bolts appearance
at a hearing to-day before Magistrate
Bonsall Mr. Bot was then released,
but instead of going home he and his
bondsman wandered down the city,
where they remained until late hour
Mrs Bott said that on Monday her hus-
band visited her mothers house, where
she is residing at present, and attempted
to remove her furniture, but was pre-
vented by her locking the doors