Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-07-06

Two Ministers Of Hartford, CT, Have Des-
perate Fighs, Fall into Baptismal Font
aud Each Attempts to Drown the Other.
HARTFORD, CT, Special Telegram, June z
Rev DR.. Parker and the Rev. Mr. Everts in
dulged in fierce fight in the baptismal font
of the South Baptist church Sunday after
noon. For long time Cousregationalism
has been striving to capture the church
Rev. Mr., Ever;s is pastor OF the much coveted
prize, while Rev. DR.. Parker is the leader of Con-
greg atiouahsm. l, seems that Dr. Parker con-
ceived the purpose Of baptizing score or more
OF young children in the baptistry of the South
Baptist procession was formed. At the
heal of the procession was double quartz
led by hand organ which had recently
beea repaired 1t considerable cost Bs-
sides nearly 200 children in the procession,
there were fully that number of adults, men
and women, mostly the parents of the children
The procession entered and took possession
By this time the sacristan had notified
Rev. Mr.. Everts, who quickly sent for the dea-
cous. Meanwhile Rev. DR.. Parker and his
crowd had turned on the water, which
was rapidly filling the great tank
ussl for baptisms Children were be-
lug .lprepared for receiving the rite and
hey. DE- Parker was excitedly squirting on his
followers in what he called battle for con
gresatonslsm. Presently Rev. Mir 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,
protes1atlons and recrimluations The invad-
ing party could not be persuaded to leave
While the women and elders of the two con-
greSauons were
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, the children, who stood about
With with .baaH blanehed with faces s.;, and O. forms
struggle between the two sides broke out in
earnest An indescribable scrimmaee took
place. The shrieks of the children the wall
lngs of infants and the imporings of women
mingled with the angry cries of pastors and
officers of the contendins congregation Many
spndar enbss os. sna many oyn had their
Dr. Parker and Mr.. Evarts had a
terrible struggle. They beat each other
and tore each others hair frightfully, and final
iy fell into the immense tank, firmly grasping
each other. Each slrove to drown the other.
So busy We're the other fighters that they
could not observe the accident that happened
to their pastors. Some of the peace makers
turned their attention to the struggling pastors
1t was found impossible to tear them apart, so
they were taken out locked in terca
embrace, and both unconscious. They were
finally separated, though they clung to each
other with the tenaclty of drowning men,
and resuscitated After little talking the
ministers were reconciled, and it was a source
OF great rejoicing to the Baptisis that Dr.
Parker had been completely immersed That
several were not killed in the fearful strug-
gle is miracle, Many are confined
to their bed from the effect of fright Both
clergymen are in a sad condition mentally aud
physically. The unfortunate affair has scan
dalized the whole Christian community.