River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-07-05
PUGILISTIC PARSONS

Two Ministers oil Hartford Ct, asast n Des-
peraie Figha a1aH into Baptismal Font
and Each Attempts 80 Drown the Other,
HARIFoEB, ~, Special Telegram, Jupe 9 Z
Rev Br Parker and the Rev Mr. z1verts in
dulged in fierce fight 10 70 baptlSmal font
of the South Baptist church Sunday after
noon. For Tong time Congregationslism
has bees striving to capture the church.
Rev. Mr. Eyerts Is pastor OF the much coveted
prize while Rev DIR. Parker is the leader Of Con-
grega.ionaism. 1t seems that DIR. Parker con
ceiyed the pui pose Of baptzing s score or more
of young children in the bapt.stry OF the South
Baptist A procession was formed. AZ tho
head of the procession wac . double quartz
led by a hand organ which had recently
been repaired at considerable cost Be-
sides nearly eco children in the procession.
there were fully that number OF adults man
and women, mostly the parents Of the children.
Tho procession entered aud took ,Jdssesac3n.
By this time the sacristan had notified
Rev. Mr.. EYerts, who quickly sent for the dea-
cons, Meanwhile Rev. DR.. Parker aud his
/ crowd had turned on the water which
was rapidly filing the great tank
| lug .Iprepared FOR receiving the rite and
Rev. DIR Parker was excitediy spurriug on his
followers in what he called a battle for con-
gregatiOnalIsm. Presently RE-. Mr. EYerts
arrived, IOliOWbu DN LIS QsdCUUS. It pIUttS&cl
with Rev. Parker against the outrageous
intrusfcn, but the reverend doctor simply re-
piled that he was determined to finish
what he had come to do. Before tie
great tank had filled, the spacious odi-
tice was resoundn9 with Inquiries,
protestations and rec4iminations. The invad-
ing party could not be persuaded to leave.
While the women aud elders of the two con-
gregatiens we're
MAKING PANDEMoNIUM
p 4ha MIA he t,un oarpfA1
bitter war of words between themselves, DIR.
Parker proceeding all the while with beptI@-
ing the children, who stood about
with blanched faces and forms
q struggle between the two sides broke out in
earnest An Undesirable scrimmage took
place The shIieks of the children. tho vail
ings of infants and the implorings OF women
mingled with the angry cries of pastors and
| officers of the ccRtondihg cengf asauOn. Many
Sunday ciothes almost torn off them
Dr. Packer and Mr.. Eyarts had a
terEble struggle They beat each othe5
and tore each others hair trighHfHllSy aid final
| ly fell into the immense tanAs Arnliy grasplng
each other Each eltuve TO drown the othen
So busy were the other fighters that they
could uot observe the accident that happened
I to their pastors Some Of the peace makers
| turned their attenton to the struggling pastors
| 1t was found impossible to tear them apart, so
they were taken out locked in a ferc9
embrace, and both unconscious. They were
| finally separated though they clung to each
other with the tenaclty of drowning mem
and reBuscitated. After little talking tho
ministers were reconcied, and It vas a source
of great rejoicing to the Bapiists that DR..
Parker had been completely immersed That
several we-o not killed in the fearful strug-
| gle IS a miracle. Many are confined
| 30 their bed from the effect of fright Bott
clergymen are in a sad condition. nenrally and
physically. The unfortunate affair has scan
| dallzed the whole GtTrhtian community.