The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-04-01
Pastor Staeh1i'S Church Has
an S. Cents a Yard
Difficulty.
HYMN BOOKS IN THE AIR.
The Ladies Are In 1t Of Course, but
They Say the Clergyman Lost
His Valuable Temper.

growing Cuufcucs Oh tue city, dlu uuFluk
the nine years It has been IN existence it's
history was one of uninterrupted har-
mony until three weeks ago. At the
present rate OF proceeding, however. a
split in the church seems inevitable.
Sinking Fund Commissioner Jacob
RingIe, Assemblyman Puster and several
other well known gentlemen are MEM
bers of this church. About one year ago
s5, 900 was raised by subscription to pur-
chase plot Of ground next to the present
building, the idea being TO tear down the
old edifice and erect o new and handsome
one. This was done, and today an i'm
posing structure stands on the site of the
old house of worship. The building is
45xsO aud so feet high. aud complete, it
cost 81 200 The debtincurred by the build
ing has recently been reduced to $500.
The Ladies and Young Peoples Socie-
ties Of the church have taken this re-
sponsibility upon their shoulders.
At a meeting held about a month ago,
the Ladies' Society appointed Mrs. Guen-
ther of No. 255 Railroad avenue, Mrs.
Nicholas and Mrs. Kaiser, a committee to
purchase carpet for the church. From
the time OF the appointment OF this com
mittee trouble began in the society, and
Pastor Staehli learning of 1t interested
himself. and apparently made matters
worse rather than better.
The required amount OF carpet was $50
yards, and this was purchased of Hoos
& Schultz, and in due time was deliy-
cred and laid in the church. 1t did not
suit some OF the laolles, however, ana
criticism on the aesthetic instincts Of the
buyers were INDUCED in TO such an ex-
tent that meeting Of the society was at
once called
BLOOD ON THE FACE OF THE MOON.
Mrs. Decker and Mrs. klelnsmIth OF
Second street and several other ladies
held an indignation meeting previous TO
the society meeting, and on the evening
of the latter they sailed into the commit
tee in most surprising manner: MIS-.
Decker acted as spokesman Tor the
"kickers," and among other things she
demanded to know what had been paid
for the carpet.
She was informed that it cost eighty
five cents yard sewed. Many lengths OF
this carpet had not been sewed togeter, IL
is claimed, aud Mrs. Decker wished to
know If eighty-five cents a yard had been
paid for those portions also. The COM
mittee which had been authorized 10
make the purchase had not received
bill and could not give the required In
formation.
Then the trouole began IN earnestI ana
the meeting broke up In row. The ma
jority OF the ladies wanted the carpet
paid for at once. while Mrs. Decker, Mrs:
kleinsmith and their followers insisted
that part OF 1t should be paid Tor and the
remainder OF the money IN the nands OF
the society be paid TO William Danls VINO
had furnished a large quantity OF mat :
ting.
STAEHLI TAKES HAND.
The discussion was at its height when
Pastor Staehli appeared on the rescue, an d
becoming excited accused Mrs. Decker OF
attempting TO break up the church. Per
sonalities were INDUCED In for short
time. and at last Mrs. Decker and her fol-
lowers marched out OF the room with their
noses pointing TO the cornice. Since that
meeting Pastor Staehli, 1t Is alleged, mas
circulated the report that Mrs. Decker and
her followers had stated that they would
never enter the church until he left. They
were endeavoring to get him removed, he
said, or rather he is said to have said. The
pastor is also accused OF having spoken IN
an ungentlemauly manner OF Mrs Decker
and Mrs. klelnsmith IN Sunday schooL.
FIGHTING MAD.
Yesterday afternoon | went to Mrs.
Decker's house on Second street, near
Brunswick, and .ound her engag ed IN
her household duties Informed her OF
my mission, and the first question was
called upon to answer was, Did Staehh
send YOU here?"
| replied that he did not, and told her
that was a reporter.
"Well, if be puts Something's in dot paper
aboud me | makes it hot for him, you
bet"-and in saying this she brandisned
hot smoothing iron in front of my face in
such manner as TO make II hot Tor me,
and gracefully retired 70 the apartments
of Airs. Kleipsmith one flight up, closely
followed oy Mrs. Decker.
Mrs Kleinsmith was not so excitable,
and being able to speak English quite
well, made the following statement:-
s.Our congregation is composed of poor
people. We have debt Of more than
s. 200 on the church. Some trouble arose
in the church short time ago when the
Young Peoples Society fitted up the yes
try room with costly furniture at an ex-
pense of 500 The room could have been
lifted up well enough for half the money
and the other 500 could have been paid
on the church debt. Mr.. Jacob RiDgle
spoke of this extravaganza at the time.
"When the carpet was purchased for the
church wanted TO know how much it
cost but no one knew. l suggested that
Hoos 81 Schultz should be paid about
one half at once so that we could pay Mr.
Dahl. who is a poor man. for the mating
we bought from him. No one would
listen 10 nv proposition ana some hot
words were exchaL ged, and Pastor
Staehi becoming excited began pounding
ON a table with hymn books and making
remarks for which believe he has since
anoIovized.
aThe trouble would not have amounted
TO much if Mr.. Staehh had not said what
he did. His remarks aroused the indigna-