The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-07-07
PUGlLISTIC PARSONS.
Two Ministers Of Hartford, Ct, Have Dcs.
perato Fight. Fall into = Baptismal Font
and Each Attempts to Drown the Other.

Two Ministers OF Hartford, Ct, Have q Dos.
perato Fight. Fall into = Bap,ismal Font
and Each Attempts to Drown the Other.
HARTFORD. CT. Special Telegram. juno 2
Rev Dr. Parker and the Rev. Mr.. Evsrts in-
dulged in fierce fight In the baptismal font
Of tho South Baptist church Sunday after
noon For o long time Congregstionalism
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-
grega'ionalism. 1t seems that DR.. Parker con.
ceived the purpose OF baptizing . score or more
Of young children in the baptlstry Of the South
Baptist A procession was formed At the
head OF the procession was double quartz
led by . hand organ which had recently
been repaired at 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
Tho procession entered and took possession
BY This time the sacristan had notified
Rev. MIR. Everis, who quickly sent for the des-
cons. Meanwhile Rev. DIR. Parker and his
crowd had turned on the water, which
used for baptisms. Children were be-
lug Jprepared for receiving the rite and
Rev. DR. Parker was excltedy squirting on his
followers in what he called q battle for con.
gregationalism. Presently Rev. Mr. Everts
arrived. followed 10y his deacons. He protested
with Rev. Parker against tho outrageous
intrusion, but the reverend doctor simply TO.
piled that he was determined to finish
what he had come to do. Before the
great tank had filled, tho spacious edi-
fee was resounding with Inquiries,
protestAtions and recriminations The invad.
ing party could not be persuaded to leave.
While the women and eido,s of the two con-
gregations were
MAKING PANDEMoSIUM
OF the place, the two ministers carried on q
bitter war Of words between themselves, DIR.
Parker proceeding all tho while with baptlz-
with blanched faces and forms
that shook with fright Suddenly
= struggle between the two sides broke out In
earnest An indescribable scrimmaee took
place The shIieks Of the children, tho wall
ings OF infants and the implorings OF women
mingled with the angry cries OF pastors and
officers Of the contending congregation Many
women tainted, and many had their
Sunday clothes almost torn of them.
DR.. Parker and Mr.. Evarts had
terrible struggle They beat each other
and tore each others hair frightfully, and final
ly fell into the immense tank, firmly graspIng
each other. Each s,rove TO drown the other.
So busy were the other fighters that they
could not observe the accident that happened
to their pastors. Some OF tho peace makers
turned their attention to the struggling pastors.
1t was found impossible to tear them apart 80
they were taken out, locked in a fierce
embrace, and both unconscious They were
hnsily separated, though they cluDg TO each
other with the tenaclty OF drowning meu,
and resuscitated After little talking the
minister's were reoonciled, and IL was a source
OF great rejoicing TO the bap,is,s 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 arc in . sad condition mentally aud
physically. The unfortunate affair has scan-
dAlized the whole Christian ooiuln ullity.