The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-30
PUG Pr
t1ghiinE Over tho Selection of n Pastor for
Reformed Presbyterian Chnrcl,--Out-

Fighting Over tho Selection of a Pastor for
n Reformed Presbyterian Chnrcl,--Out-
rngeous Scenes in Il House of Worship.
~ special dispatch from Pitt sburg,
"a, dated December p, says: "rhc
people III this city are in Il fever of cx-
citcmcnt to-day, owing to a 1sticuif
fight which took place in the First
Presbyterian Church last night Some
weeks ago the congregation voted for
n pastor, Rev. Ncvin Woodsidc rccciy-
ing l6l votes, against llG for the other
candidates. a majority of the trus-
tees were bitterly opposed to Wood
side and charged that his selection was
the result Of illegal votes. a majority
OF the congregation were determined
that Woodsidc should be their pastor,
especially as the call was sustained by
The Prcsbytcry. An appeal was taken
to the Synod, and since then there
have been bitter quarrcls among the
members Of the church. The Wood
side faction achieved Il triumph over
Their enemies, and on one occasion,
Notwithstanding the existence of an
lnluction restraining Woodsidc from
preaching until the appeal was dccid-
cd, gained admission to the church bv
strategy, and held the place all day.
and listened to Il sermon bv the pnstor
III the evening. Last night the quar-
rel cul minated inn free fight. There
were r"mors during the day that scri-
Gus trouble was brewing. Both fac
tions were present in force, and there
was large attendance Of outsiders.
attracted by the prospect Of row.
Inc trouble began early. Woodsidc
wanted to preach, but his opponents
liad another Clergyman whom thcv
wished to preach. Both pastors waxcd
hot and excited. The spectators gave
vent to thir feelings in remarks de-
signed TO encourage their tavOrites.
The trustees and Sunday school teach
rrs TOOK sides and shouted cxcitcdly.
9hc OF the parsons cssaycd to mount
INC rostrum, when he was seized by
his antagonists and roughly hustled
from the steps. This led 10 a general
iight. 1t was thickcst round The altar,
put All over the church were heard
sounds OF blows. Many Of the wo-
men screamed and taitcd, but some of
the strongcr-mindcd encouraged the
comDatants with cheers. Two or three
males took advantage of the confusion
10 scttlc old scores among themselves.
For quarter Of an hour the battle
ragged turiously. Heads werc freely
punched, eyes were blackcncd, arms
broken and women knocked. down.
The yclls and screams were triUhttul.
The police were called in, and after
some difficulty, succeeded in oucllino
the riot. Several arrests were made
The church this morning presents q
sorry appearance. Broken remnants
ofgas globes strcw the floor. Hymn
books and Bibles arc scattered in all
directions, as if they had hccn used rs
missiles, and largo quantity of hair
pms and bangs have been gathered
up. The utmost Indignation prevails
III church circles. The matter will be
investigated by tho Prcsbytcry, and it
is expected there will be somo clerical
suspensions. The rival pastors were
in tho thickcst of the fray.
General s. l.. Woodford went to
Louisiana and told tho Democracy That
| the school house must take the place Of
tho shot gun.-BoSt0n Journal. This
proves that the General is an ass. How
does he expect q man is going to take
school house OH his shoulder and 90
into the woods to shoot a coon? How
docs he expect q school house to blow
tho head off q man who didn't kow It
Was loadcd2 How does lie EXPECT
Senator Conkling to blush and look
embarrassed at tho mention of a school
house! Oh, yes; it's a clear case.-
Boston Post. !. J. ,.s,'
William Black, the novelist, writes
rapidly. He thinks for a week, thcn
writes fora day or two. He is,a mol
! ancho)y man and loves to play spool"