The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-05-16
The Ringing Of Church Bells ns n Full.
.EEf lie Nuisance. al l.t.i. %, n SIS


ll5Se5 lie Nuisance. I.:ssata atgS1|
The origin OF church bells dates back to
the days when time pieces, either watches
or clocks, were very rare, and when these
bells proclaimed the hour for worship to
great numbers Of people who had no other
means Of knowing the time Of day. But
that time haslongpassedaway, and thcring-
ing OF church bells is no longer necessity.
There is scarcely n home in all the land in
which there is not a time piece. Not only
is this ringing no longer necessity,
but, on the other hand, there is a ne
cessity that they should not ring. Expe-
Renee has shown that they are pos
tive detriment to the health Of the
community, especially to invalids and
persons stretched upon bed Of sickness.
The sufFerings Of very delicate women and
children, and others whose nervous condi-
ton makes them very sensitive TO sud-
den noise. is known to physicians and nur.
Sos to be, in may cases, really distressing
no much SO that oftentimes patients I'M
favorable symptoms are aggravated by the
sudden clash OF lot ofbells jarring the air
with their discord. To such IN extent
have bells proved themselves annoying
and detrimental that in some cities the
leading churches have dispensed with
them. In Others few taps are made
to suffice. but still the practice is kept up
to IN extent that greatly afilicts /; u
great many people. In New York n
movement has started up that it Is to be
hoped will be productive Of a wholesome
change not only in that city but in other
cities and towns throughout the land. It
seems that the people living in the vicinity
OF Lexington avenue and Thirty.lit.h street
arc annoyed by the ringing ola large bell III
the Episcopal church Of that neighborhood,
and have gotten up al influential rcmon.
STRANGE in favor Of its suppression. THIS
rcmonstrance is sworn out by one man but
signed by many others, who unite in de.
claring the bell n public nuisance. II sets
forth the following grievance: t::3
40 he Board Of Health Of tie City of Nelp
York: ~ 5s.iTtl = Z, Ia
"The petition Of Jared W. Bell, 81 lie
City Of New York, shows: That he is the
owner OF and resident in, the dwelling
house known MS No. 24S Lexington venue
in said city, on the west side OF said nv.
enue,between Thirty.fourtha and Thirty.tiith
Sts; that the Protestant Episcopal church,
whereof Cornelius r. Duffy, is Rector, is
situated on the northeast corner Of Lex
ington Avenue and Thiry-Gith street: that
in the bell tower Of said church is n large
bell, which eacl, Sunday, and many week
days throughout the year, save perhaps
for few weeks in the summer time, when
the majority Of tho people inhabitant OF
the neighborhood are out OF town, is runs
for more that half IN hour Mt n time, or
tollcd necessarily; that the bell is very
large, harsh and deep in Its tone, and can
be heard for long distancc;t that the
ringing and tolling aforesaid occurs in the
morning prior to tho morning service. in
tho afternoon somewhere ), about Two
o'clock, and again in tho afternoon some.
where about four o'clock, on the SUNDAYS
specified; that in the week DAYS specified
it precedes such services as or may be held
in the church. sif s&s ili,1tT y
Your petitioner further shows that the
noise and clangor OF tho bell are hateful, us
he IS informed and believes 10 the entire
neighborhood; that he is ut times confined
to his house for days together by illness
and that its effect on him is almost mad.
dening; that it destroys his rest and his
family's peace and quiet, and is altogether
m intolcrab!e nuisance, productive Of Ills.
quiet and III health, and making what
should be day Of rest day OF hideous
unrest. ,i .,S b, 80 '.fJ1-'
Your petitioner further shows thatt, il
company with Charles A. jackson, who 70
sides ut No. 244 Lexington avenue, a few
doors below him, and, who was equally an
noyed with himself by the intolerablc
noise OF this bell, he called on the Rev.
Cornelius K. Duffy, who resides next door
to said church, aud represented to him in
I polite terms the annoyance that he in com.
mon with his neighbors experienced iby
reason OF said bell, when Mr.. Duflyassrred
Mr.: Jackson and himself TINT he would, in
80 lar as in him lay, cause tho ringing and
tolling to DO very materially lessened. Mr..
Jackson and your petitioner took leave OF
Mr.. Duffy after n very friendly interview,
satisfied that something would at least be
done toward IN alienation OF their griev-
ancc. But no change has taken place,
though months have elapsed since said in.
terview, and the clangor is kept up in full |
force, rs before described. Your petitioner
further shows that he has conversed with
very many Of his neighbors 1.-THE subject,
and has yet to find ono who is not in favor
OF suppressing the nuisance. Il Z :i ;..,G3SYg
~ onr nAtfionar T., rtl,a. 81, Az. u