The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-09

CORNING, Ia, March 6.-The affidavitG
made by the free methodists to Governor
Boies for protection by the state militia is
the outcome of an antagonistic feeling
that the citizens of southwestern Iowa
have for months entertained against the
religious enthusiasts. The latter had
headquarters at Shenandoah, Red Oak
and other points, and at all of these places
have had trouble with the local authors
ties. Since last summer they have been
holding protrscted meetings at Corning.
At first they occupied large tent, which
was burned, probably by an incendiary,
one night last September, after which they
leased Calkins' rink and continued theiF
work there.
Their announced faith or creed has NOT
not been criticised as much as their man.
ners, methods and pulpit utterances.
They are accustomed, in the enthusiasm
of their meetings, to stamp, shout, yell
and run about the full length and breadth
of the rink. and some of the young girls
and young men who have been converted
have franucally thrown themselves az full
length upon the floor, and at times have
lain there kicking and rollicking hysteric-
ally for hours. At times the band has
been accustomed to go to any of the
homes where they could gain entrance
and sing and pray until they were re-
quested to withdraw. They held daily
seances at one home TO heal good woman
who has been a helpless invalid from
rheumatism for many years. The con-
ditions were not right. however, for her
restoration.
Naturally the evening meetings at
tracted rabble, and the services were
sometimes interrupted by sco1ers. After
several arrests had been made and the
prisoners released special policemen were
sworn in to preserve the peace. One Of
the converts is w. II. Hoxie, publisher of
local paper, who has become so wholly
wrapped up in this religious enthusiasm
as to give most of his property to the
agitators.
The immediate cause of the present ap-
peal to the governor was as follows: A
prominent furniture dealer named Robert
Hollister has for years provided the com,
forts of good home for his wife's inirm
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Whitehead, aged
seventy-two and eighty-three respectively.
These good old people have become in
terested in the meetings and the members
and band have been regular visitors at
Mr.. HOLSTERS home to hold special meet
ings in their behalf. This became so an-
noying to Mr.. and Mrs. Hollister that they
requested the visits to cease. The free
methodists then prevailed upon the old
couple to 60 with them and occupy quar-
tiers which they would fit up, promising
to provide for them. Wednesday night,
after these events, Mr.. Hoxie thanked
God that this was mot the kind Of re-
ligion which allowed a man to turn his
old father and mother out of DOORS"
At the close of the meeting Bert Hollis
ter, a son Of Robert and a grandson of the
old couple, approached Capt Hoxie and
called him q liar and few other similar
names. The special police threatened
him with arrest, but he was well backed
up by young companions.
The next night the manager of the rink
building leased the main floor of the edi-
flee for a prize fight and boxing exhibition.
Large crowds gathered, and during the
evening the windows of the rink occupied
by the revivslists were Kicked in, the
electric lights were shut off at the works,
and the pentecostal band was served
with embryonic poultry on the half
shell. and stones and sticks. At the
conclusion the gang followed the workers
to their sleeping quarters and pelted them
with eggs and other missiles. The band
did not complain to the city authorities
but at once telegraphed the governor for
troops. The governors private secretary
communicated with the sheriff, who tele-
graphed him that there was no cause for
alarm or calling out the militia. The y.
s. marshal is now here investigating the
situation. Public sentiment is strongly
opposed to the continuance of these meet
ings. Capt. Hoxie alleges that Thursday
nights mob was the same as that which
lynched and hung the murderer McKen-
zie here a few years ago.