Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-30
THE FlFE-SCHeNCK AFFAIR.
A Card from DIR. George Willis-Resolu-
tions ofthe Citizens of Greensboro.
GREENSBORO, June q, 1891.
To The Eiitor of he Dispatch:

TkEENSHOkD. Ouut -, 1871
To The Editor Of he Dispatch;
On looking over the DISPATCH Of the 2Sth
instant nv ewes caught the item Fife
Taken to Task" and noting II To be per-
version of the truth of the facts IN the case
beg leave TO send for publication the
true facts as saw them.
Being a stranger IN the city ! was at
tracted by the beautiful singing and went
To the tent and stayed through the ser
vices. heard what was said about the dane
ing, when was denouncIng tho attending
dancing by church members, but no one
particularly was named nor personalities
used. As this dancing ground Is owned or
managed by Judge Schenck he took UNI
bragg at what was said. and being opposed
to these meetings expressed himself very
bitterly.
The first Mr.. Fife heard of the complaint
was n threat of his life, and just rs the
meeting was dismissed he heard he was to
be attacked on his way from the tent TO
his hotel OF at his rooms. The whole con-
gregation was IN sympathy with Mr.. Fife
and many went with him TO his hotel. At
the door he spoke kindly to the crowd
and kindly of those that threatened
him and gave an effective prayer.
Then dismisslng his friends he walked
out to where the Judge stood, opposite
the McAdoo Hotel. and spoke to him IN
friendly way. He was rudely repulsed
with q coarse name and coarser profanity.
As he turned from him he was struck by
one Of his sons with a heavy cane and 10y
another with loaded whip-handle. The
third blow missing him hit the Judge on
the back OF the head. / saw the blow. 1t
was the son that hit his father the Judge.
One of the party then drew pistol, aim
inc il at Mr. Fife. II was struck down Just
rs fired. the ball striking the ground and
fortunately injured no one. | then seized
the person having the pistol and called
upon an officer that stood near and asked
that the man be arrested, but no officer re-
spOnded. | have since been told that the
police stood in fear Of the political in
lluence of the Judge and dared not act.
The Sheriff of the county, who happened
To be near, came up and took the Judge
by the arm and requested HIM TO be civil
and urged he had better return home. lie
was finally persuaded by the public to 90
to his home, but not until his profane aud
severe language had Disguised every one.
Mr.. Flies meetings seem 70 be very
popular and acceptable 10 the toWnspeo-
pie The tent Is crowded 10 its utmost ca
pacity. None but the toughest and coarsest
of the townspeople speak against his
meetings. None that hear him speak
against him. His words and teachings are
kind and persuasive, simply urging the
people TO turn from their wicked ways. and
MANY are turning. and hundreds come for
ward for prayers at every meeting. Many
of the best citizens of Greensboro and all
the good people here saw, God bless the
meetings now being carried on by Mr.. Fife.
/ enclose you copy of resolutions
published in the Greensboro Daily Record
with the request that you will publish
part or the whole of 1t, and in so doing cor
rect the false and unkind impression made
by the unfair report published in your
paper under the heading of Fife Taken
to Task" Very truly yours,
DR. GEORGE WILLIS.
The report published in the DISPATCH
of SUNDAY was q conservative statement Of
the facts and does not differ materially
from the card of Or. Willis. which, how
ever, We print eer6G'im Il hierattm.