The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-07-06
PUGIL Il. PARSONS.

Two ministers oil Hartford, Ct, have Los
perato Fight Fall into y Baptismal Font
and Each Attempts to Drown the Other.
HARTFoRD. q, Special Telegram, June 2 2
REV; DR.. Parker and the Rev. Mr. 'Everts in
dulged in a fierce Eight in the baptsmal font
of the South Baptist church. Sunday after
noon. For . long time Congregationalism
has been striving to capture the church.
Rev. Mr.. 'Everts is pastor Of the much coveted
prize, while Rev. DR.. Parker is the leader Of Con-
grega,ionalism It seems that Dr.. Parker con-
ceivod tho purpose Of baptizing q score or more
Of young children in the baptlstry Of the South
Baptist A procession was formed. At the
heal of the procession was y double quartz
led by . hand organ which had recently
beea repaired. ct considerable cost Be-
sides nearly 200 children in the procession,
there We're fully that number Of adults, men
and women, mostly the parents of the children.
The procession entered and took possession.
Rev. Mr.; Everts who quickly sent for the dea-
cons Meanwhile Rev. DR.. Parker and his
crowd had turned on the water, which
was rapidly filing the great tank
used for 6aptsms. Children were be-
ing aprepared for receiving the rite and
Rey. Dr. Parker was e1oitedly squirting on his
followers in what he called battle for con.
gregahonallsm. Presently Rev. Mr.. Everts
arrived. followed by his deacons. He protested
with Rev. Parker against the outrageous
intrusion, but the reverend doctor simply re.
piled that, he was determined to finish
what he had come to do. Before the
great tank had filled, the spacious edi-
ice was resounding with :. inquiries,
protes,atinns and recriminations. The invad-
ing party could not be persuaded to leave.
While tho women and elders Of the two con-
gregations were
@s,ss MAKING PANDEMoN1uM
Of the place, the two ministers carried on q
bitter war Of words between themselves, DR..
Parker proceeding all the while with baptlz-
ing G the children, who stood about
with blanched faces and forms
that shook with fright Suddenly
. struggle between the two sides broke out in
earnest An indescribable scrimmsge took
place. The shrieks of the children, the wall
ings Of infants and the implorings OF women
mingled with the angry cries Of pastors and
officers of the con:endlng congregation. Many
women tainted, and many had their
Sunday clothes almost torn of them.
terrible struggle. They beat each other
and tore each others hair frightfully, and final
ly fell into the immense tank, firmly erasping
each other Each slrove to drown the other.
So busy were the other fighters that they
could not observe the accident that happened
to their PASTORS Some off, then peace makers
.uA heo tuoit atouuou w tue STRUGGLING pastorS'
1t was found impossible to tear them apart. SO
they were taken out, locked in fierce
embrace, and both unconscious They were
finally separated, though they chung to each
other with the tenaclty of drowning men,
and resuscitated. After little talking the
minister's were reconcied, and it was source
of great rejoicing to the Bapiisls that DR..
Parker had been completely immersed That
several were not killed in the fearful s,rug-
gle is miracle Many are confined
to their bed from the effect of fright Both
clergymen are in sad condition mentally and
physically. The unfortunate affair has scan
dalized the whole Christian community.