Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-04-26
Mobbing q Vicar.


A disgraceful scene has been wit
messed in England at the Church OF
HOLY Trinity, Bordesley. Some days
ago the Bishop of the diocese served Mr..
Enraght with formal inhibition from
officiating at Holy Trinity, and the liv-
/ ing was offered to and accepted by Rev.
H. Allan Watts, Sunderland. On Sun
the new vicar underwent
the Introductory process of reading him.
self in. Thererwas great crowd in the
churchyard, and the adjacent streets
were filled with noisy mob, while the
church was crowded. immediately the
vicar made his appearance in the vestry
he was served with a protest by one or
the ritualist church wardens, objecting
to his presence on the ground that he
was disposed to degrade the services and
upset the regular machinery of the
parish. On entering the church he was
greeted with storm of Kisses and loud
cries of '.Traitor!'' The members OF the
old choir took up position at the end
of the church and were loudest in the
uproarious manifestations. When the
vicar assembled the pulpit he was pale
and agitated, and amid the babel OF
sound his voice was scarcely audible.
He began by saying that he hoped those
members of his congregation who had
attended the opening service with the
object of creating disturbance would
become quiet aud peaceable worshipers.
Derisive laughter and unseemly shouts
proceeded from various parts OF the
building, and the supporters of the
vicar were so enraged that a collision
between the two parties seemed immi-
nent.
The Chief of Police, who was present
with force of men, pushed his way
among the rival sections and entreated
them to observe something like decency
in place of worship. AS the vicar pro-
ceeded his voice was drowned by fits of
coughing and other concerted interrupt
tons, while some of the most system
attic disturbers evoked bursts OF
laughter by shouting out familiar
piece of gag from a local pantomime,.
which was followed sby scounters cries
of s'Shut upr' etc. On finishing his
formal task of reading himself in, the
vicar abruptly left the pulpit, and the
proceedings We're brought to a termi-
nation. The mob then rushed outside
to join their companions in the church.
yard, with the apparent object Of mob
bling the vicar. The police formed q
compact phalanx to escort the clergy
man toSa place of safety. The vicar
placed himself in the middle of his
body-guard amid a tumult OF groans
and shouts. Some of his supporters
cheered him, and pressed forward to-
assist the police in clearing the passage.
The mob followed the vicar and his
body guard, bowling and pushing them
about till the gentleman reached his
residence Here another demonstration
was made, and it was deemed neces-
sary to leave a number of policemen
outside the house to protect it from
= The proceedings at the evening SER
vice were even of a more ,disgracefuI
character than in the morning. The
force of police was doubled, but never
theless several free fights took place.
Catcaals were INDUCED in from the
commencement, and the vicar on APP
pearing in the pulpit was greeted with
storm of howls. Several of the ring
leaders were turned out, and to prevent
a rush of roughs the church-doors had
to be closed. The vicar sermon, which
was couched in very conciliatory Ian
guage, was frequently interrupted with
most offensive remarks, such as ''Shut
up, traitor!" 3sGo back to Sunder--
landr' ''When is the harlequinade
coming on?'' and ''Whcn is the, farce
coming on?'' Extra precautions had
been taken to get the vicar safely away.
Forty or fifty policemen were formed in
line to afford a clear passage, but by an
irresistible rush the reverend gentleman
was carried away down the churchyard
amid an indescribable scene of excite
NeWs.