St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-24
WHIPPED BY AWOMAN
Who Said She Had Been
Slandered by a
Lawyer.
westminster Church Troubles
at the Bottom of the
Affair.
Waiting Two Hours for the
Victim to Show Him
self.
statement of MIR. Hawthorne.
Who Received the
Lashing.

There was lively scene IN West st.
Paul yesterday afternoon, in which ].
NJ. hawthorne. well-known LAWYER,
and three young ladies figured as
principals. One of the ladies, Miss
Belle Ferguson, was provided with
horsewhip, her sister handled a
club, and the third member of the par
ty, Miss Ringwald, was passive spec
tator- Mr.. Hawthorne was walking ON
Chicago avenue toward Dakota. when
ne espled the trio, who suddenly
emerged from Matheis' store The law
yer started across the street, but Miss
belie ferguson followed close behind
MIN ana Piled the hOrsewhip smartly
across his shoulders and hands. A large
crowd was quickly attracted by the un-
usual scene, and after Miss Ferguson
had satisfied herself she Withdrew with
her companions unmOlested. 1t was
stated that the cause of the assault
originated from
CHARGES AGAINST PASTOR RoBERsT,
OF the Westminster Presbyterian
church, by Mr.. Hawthorne. The leader
OF the opposing forces yesterday, Miss
Belle ferguson, is about rs years of age
and she has been outspOken in her de-
termination to horsewhip Mr.. Haw-
thorne as soon as the opportunity pre-
scented itself. 1t was stated that
she waited for her victim a
couple of hours yesterday, first
having. fully informed herself of the
route That he pursued to his Office on
Dakota avenue. Both the Ferguson
girls came to the United States from
scotland about eighteen months ago,
and reside with their father, who is the
lanitor of the Westminster church.
There have been numerous dissensions
IN the church for upwards of two years,
and not long ago, it is said,
MIR. Hawthorne and Others fastened
the resignation of Rev. Herriott. the
predecessor of Pastor Roberts. and con-
siderable Ill feeling has been manifested
among the factions, engendered by this
action. AS one of the trustees of the
church up to recent date, Mr.. Haw-
thorne mas naturally been prominent in
us AFFAIRS, and the assault committed
upon him yesterday is regarded as the
result of the old feud
MIR. HAWTHORNE TALKS.
Mr.. Hawthorne was seen at his resi-
dence, $50 East Indiana avenue. by a re-
porter for the GLOBE. He did not show
any marks of the assault, although two
fingers of his left hand were carefully
wrapped i'll cotton. They had been cut
by the whip in the elder Miss Fergu-
sons hand after he had grabbed hold
OF 1t. when asked for the facts of the
assault he said: Il was just returning
from the probate court, and was cross
ing Chicago avenue toward Dakota,
whom L looked up and saw three
WOMEN RUSHING TOWARD Me-
"One OF them had whip, another a
club while the third had nothing what
ever In her hand. As they rushed to
ward me l ran across the street
in front of the bank. Then | turned
around and waited for them to come up.
They were the two Ferguson girls and
Miss Ringwald. Miss Ringwald took
no active part in the assault. When
the first girl came up she struck at me
with the whip. l warded off the blow
with my right hand. and caught hold of
the whip with my left, giving it q
twist and breaking it in three pieces,
one of which l now
HAVE IN MY OFFICE.
I'm getting the whip away from her
cut my fingers badly, but that was the
only harm done. The one who came up
with club tried to strike me, but took
the club out of her hand. There was
some loud talking and a big crowd
gathered around. told them
if they were were l would knock them
down. But you can appreciate how
it is when talking to woman. We
separated without any further trouble.
| understand they had him waiting two
hours for me-"
''What was the cause of the trouble?'
he repeated. well. that dates back
some time, and has grown out of the
Westminster church. A large number
of the congregation have been opposed
to the Rev. w. d. Roberts
A CrnIvNT nI, f,Ep1,
The matter was about to be investi-
gated by the Presbytery of st. Paul
in fact, a meeting will be held at the
Central Presbyterian church next Mon
day afternoon for that purpose. Mr..
Roberts has been endeavoring to square
himself by circulating that l have
have slandered these Ferguson
girls. all of which is false. 1t is
simply lie. l have heretofore stated
that we would withhold the evidence of
a sensational character when the matter
came before the synod. but now Pm
under no obligations to hold back any
thing that is known. When | learned
last spring. at the time of the first
trouble, that Mr.. Roberts and his
crowd were trying TO injure me by
circulating story to the effect that I
was slandering the character of the
young women. l went so far as
10 put an Item IN an evening
paper, stating that any such story was
absolutely false, and that I'd prosecute
those who told it to the full
EXTENT OF THE LAW.
''The only thing / have ever said was
when 1 went to Mr.. Roberts some time
ago and told him that owing to certain
little things that were being said he had
better make a change in his boarding
plan, but he has never done so, and is
still living at the house of the Fergu-
sons"
AS result of the rumors and troubles
in the church good many prominent
members have withdrawn, among the
number being w. M. Campbell, Hon.
A. q. Wedge. S. G. Staples, George
Shickling, w. II. Burns. Malcolm Led
des, w. r. Hawthorne, Robert Graham
and w. M. Bole.''
"Will prosecute the girls? have not
decided yet, but will be governed by my
partners wishes in the matter. 1t is
my opinion that Rev. Mr.. Roberts in
cited the girls to the assault because he
was afraid to do it himself"
ON THE RAGGED EDGE.