Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-02-27
wATERBURY,s DISGRACE.
Prize Ring Tactics at the Lecture
of Margaret L. shepard.


OF Margaret L. shepard.
The lectures given by Margaret l..
Shepard Of Boston, in Music hall yester-
day afternoon and evening were attend
ed by large and unruly crowds and end
ed in a manner not at all creditable to
those who are responsible for the ap-
pearance of the woman here. In the
afternoon the subject of the lecture was,
THE Priest and Woman in the Confess
sional." The address was for women
only and few Catholics were among
those present.
When the lecture was about half over
a young and intelligent Catholic lady
arose in the audience and demanded the
privilege Of asking some questions of
Mrs Shepard. She was unable to obtain
any satisfaction and was Kissed and
jeered by the audience. After the lee
ture all who had not some one to vouch
that they were Protestants were obliged
to leave the hall. The others remained
and organized branch of n secret order
known as the Loyal Women af Ameri
can Liberty.
In the evening the hall was crowded
and at 7:3O o'clock the doors were
closed. Many Catholics could not gain
admittance. A few, however, were
present, among the number being the
young lady who had questioned the
speaker in the afternoon. Chief of
Police Egan was present and occupied
position near the door. Rev E. c.
Tular Of st Paurs N. f. church intro
ducsd the speaker. The subject of the
address was shall New England Be
ram blng TRADE against Catholicity and
was utterly devoid of argument. Many
Professionals in the audience We're
ashamed of themselves. but the great
ma jority labored under intense excite
ment and cheered and applauded the
speaker at frequent intervals. During
the lecture the young woman above
mentioned. arose and said: Madam.
will you allow me to correct you? Not
till am done. said Mrs Shepard. The
young lady insisted and the audience
howled and Kissed. Chief Egau order
ed the Questiouer TO sit down and threat
cned to arrest any Of her friends who
again interrupted the meeting.
In the course of her remarks Mrs
Shepard said that there was not a truth
full newspaper in Waterbury. The league
proposed to have paper of its own and
could obtain SIC, 900 in a day for such an
biect.
At the close of the lecture the young
woman again demanded permission to
speak, and although assailed Iy cries of
Irish" to which the police turned a deaf
ear. the girl held her ground and de-
nounced the speaker for making the
statements that Catholics must pay the
priests 50 for Obtaining dissolution, that
Catholics are not allowed to read the
bible, and other questions of similar
nature. The meeting ended amid the
widest confusion, few of the audience
attempting to sing america" while
others argued and shouted. 1t was a
scene more betitting prize ring than
religious meeting.
The lecturer refused to tell in what
convent she was located and the Catho-
lies point to this fact as proof conclusive
that she is Il fraud.
Nearly 1000 men and boys were as
sembled on Bank street at the close of
the exercises, but no violence was Of
fered except the throwing of a few eggs
by boys as the woman was entering the
Franklin house. Mrs Shepard and her
manager left on the east bound Wash
ington express, being escorted to the
station in a hack, by Lieut. Root. 1t is
hardly probable that she will return to
Waterbury in a hurry.