The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-26
A MUSCULAR MINISTER.
Particulars of the Encounter Between Rev.
Mr.. LouclSs and Editor LOuthain.

Mr.. LOuckS and Editor LOuCnAlns
Loganspoit Journal.
The trouble between B. F. Louthain, senior
editor of the Daily Pharos, and w. f. Loucks,
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, came to
a crisis in front of Mr. Strains drug store, on
Broadway, last evening Mr. Loucks was walk
ing down street just as Louthain was passing.
and accosted him relative to a scurrilous attack
that appeared in last nights Pharos After a
few words Mr. Loucks told Louthain that
through the entire case he (Iouthain) had acted
the part of low, cowardlv villain. Louthain
retorted by applying TO Mr.. Loucks vulgar, in
decent and insulting epthet, when before he
was aware of what was going on, he was stumb-
ling across the sidewalk toward the gutter,
stunned by blow planted over the right optical
organ by the gentleman whose character he had
maligned and traduced. Louthain was perfectly
satisfied and beat hasty retreat refraining
from any further encounter with Calvinism
The readers of the Journal are conversant
with the circumstances which eliminated in the
affair of last evening. The Sabbath before the
election Mr. Loucks preached sermon in which
he took occasion to give some timely lessons for
the hour denouncing adultery aud vice, and up
holding the sanctjty of the Christian home.
Although there was nothing in the sermon at
which any sensible voter could exactly take
offense, the Pharos dubbed the discussion "a
political Sermon" and in commenting upon it
published base and slanderous insinuations con
corning the private character of Mr. Loucks,
who at that time was absent from the city Called
home by telegram. Mr.. Loucks after a stormy
interview, secured the following retraction, which
was published editorially in the Pharos:
"IN REGARD TO MR.. LoUCKs.
Pertaining to things said in editorial of last
Tuesday evening have this to say relative thereto:
The information upon which we based the following
assertion viz. Let him without guilt cast the first
stone We would be willing to guarantee that key,
LUucks would throw stones if the Savior was to
make that command to day. We wish to treat him
fairly, but we do not propose to hare Democrats in
suited from the pulpit without uttering pr0test-was
obtained brought
ears, and at no time to recollection, have we re-
peated them to others. We do not vouch for their
truthfuness and regret that they were alluded to
in this paper"
Mr.. Loucks was not satisfied to permit the
matter TO rest in this manner and with a com
mittee of our first citizens ran down every rumor
that had been circulated, but was unable to ind
any one willing to stand responsible for them
Conscious of his innocence and not considering
the first retraction in the Pharos complete, he
secured another, which was as follows
Having been instrumental with others in crcu-
lating the report that Rev. W E. Loucks had been
guilty of conduct unbecoming Christian, and espe-
eially minister of the gospel hereby freely say
that we know nothing personally against the character
of Mr.. Loucks, and whatever statements have
made relative to the Christian character of Mr.,
Loucks were made thoughtessy and in the heat of
passion, from mere rumors, and not from anything
we know personally or from anything we have been
convinced as true from any investigation OF the
mors BEN. f. LoUTHAlN.'
The Pharos editor recognizing the disgrace
anu shame OF Delng compelled TO OranQ nlfn@ell
liar and a slanderer placed this second retrac-
ton in an obscure part of the paper, in st. ia
cobs OIL type The Journal DESTROYS that the
people should be fully informed concerning the
| turn the tide had taken, placed the retrac-
ton in a conspicuous place, and gave it
heading that entirely too tame. And
right here we will state, that Mr.. Loucks had no
idea that the article was to come out under the
heading of 'Louthain Swallows IT. He asked
the Journal to publish it without comment, but
we mentally reserved the RIGHT 10 place a fitting
heading over it, which done to the best of
our ability Being angered by the taunts and
jeers ofsmall boys, aud laughed at by the mem
bers of his own party who admire honorable po-
litical warfare and have nothing but sneers and
contemptuous smiles for black mailer and
coward, Louthain out in q double-leaded
card, last evening" in which he ptifully plead
the baby act ackno wled2eG that he lied In his
two retractons, and reiterated the slauderous
statements previously made The result has
been stated above.
While the outcome of this affair is to be
deeply regretted in tina: it brings into unenvia.
BILE notoriety minister of the gospel, yet it can
but be admitted that Mr. Loucks, through the
entire controversy, pursued honorable and
manly course. For three years he has been the
pastor of one of the largest congregations in the
State. A cultured scholar, a thorough gentle
man, an earnest and fearless, highly practical
expounder of the gospel, he is beloved by his
entire congregation, respected by the whole
community, and against his character naueht
was never insinuated until the hiss of the poi
sonous reptile was heard through Louthains
teeth. Mr. Loucks's character is his life, and
when the editor of the Pharos, carrying out q
threat made two years ago that he would run
Loucks out of this city, proceeded to assas-
sinate him the rever end gentleman claimed the
right Of sef-defense. Last night he promptly
exercised this right and it is the regret of nine
tenths of the population of the city that he did
not follow up his well directed blow and admin
lister the castigation the circumstances justified