Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-28
N THE Tolls.
Capt. Thacher Beats the Drum and
is Arrested,


And Water Street II Again In an Uprear.
The Salvation Army hullabaloo of Tues
day evening was re-enacted on the street last
night. The affair of the evening before was
the chief topic Of conversation in the CITY
yesterday and everybody was speculating as
10 the programme for last night. At the
usual hour for the parade nearly every able
bodied man and boy seemed to be on the
street, headquarters being between Meonian
Hall Block and the Cony House. There was
much excitement when it became evident
that the Army was coming. The entire
police force Of the city was present and await.
ed the appearance of the warriors.
Capt. Thacher was the first to show him
self. He bore the bass drum and was fol-
lowed by the remainder of the Army, being
greeted with shouts and SCOTS. He did not
seem to mind this, however, and moving tow
ards the center of the street hit the drum a
slight tap. The officers had been instructed
II Thacher sounded his whistle. as signal
TO his drummers to commence beating, to ar
rest him. But as he operated the drum the
programme was changed. After the hrst tap
Thacher did not touch the drum until he had
advanced about fifty feet. when he COM
menced pounding it Justify. This caused the
crowd to close in with rush from all direc-
tons and for moment the Captain was al
most swallowed up in the tumult. There was
a general stampede from the whole length of
the street towards the center for q few mo-
ments. men and teams being unfortunately
mingled. Happy Johnny, s.the man seal,
made bolt for the nearest doorway to es.
cape from being crushed.
Officer Breen ut once took TEACHER, who
did not resist in the least; but as the drum
was being taken away from him gave it last
farewell pound with his fist, "exclaiming,
God bless YOU" To the officer he was
very polite. At the command of the marshal
the throng opened and the captain was led
of down the street, the multitude following
with their usual alacrity, running hither and
thither, men and bops jostling, and trying to
keep up with the officers. large number
ran around and when Winthrop street
was reached the hill above. over
which the prisoner was taken, was black
with people. The Jail entrance was thronged
and as he went forward chorus of yells
went up. In the Office he said good bye te
the officers and shaking hands with one Of
-. In;
ing tonight and save all the souls you can.
He was placed in one of the cells on the low
est corridor.
The Army after loosing their Captain
marched off towards the railroad bridge, the
Ca Diet leading. No crowd followed them, a,
it had all gone the other way. On their re
turn to the barracks they were met by I
crowded house galleries and floor being filed
The city of Augusta was prayed for; also
the Mayor blessing was asked again anG
again for the Captain. The Cadet and Mrs
Thacher led the meeting. They held tina
they were prosecuted The snare drum wat
beaten during the singing; but the bass drum
was at the police station.
Last evening TEACHER was found in hi
cell about 3 o'clock examining copies of TIL
War Cry and stated that he had begun max
ing out his report for that paper. II hav'
been singing" he said, ''in hopes to do some
thing for Jesus among the prisoners, but thu
turnkey stopped me. have also been pray
ing for the meeting. l intend to serve my
sentence out. l need q rest. do not believe
in a religion where the path is Away
smooth; was ordered to conn
out with the drums by our division
marshal, but should have come out anyway
The drum is portion of our religion and W
think we have as good a right to use it as tn
churches to ring their bells. We propose t.
keep on and beat the devil Thacher con
tinued to talk in this style for some time ant
thought he should sleep well. A man ap
peared at the jail last night to secure tn
release of the doughty salvationist, but di'
uot succeed. Whitney and Smith, who wer
released yesterday morning, promised t
bring bondsmen in the afternoon, but ha
not done SO last night.
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