Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-10-11

Sunday the Time and Medalin, n. ", the
Place-The Builder of a Church Puts
Harrison's Picture Top of the Steeple,
and Thereby Hangs the Story-Itinerary
of McKinley's Tour Through the West
Political Notes.
KINGSTON, n. Y, Oct. 11.-Residents of
Medalin, in Duchess county, have learned
to expect almost anything from the eccen-
trio old Gen. Watts de Puyster, but his late
action has made a great stir in the town.
On Saturday night, when the carpenters
quit work on the new De Puyster Memoir
ial church, the general appeared the
scene with large engraving of President
Harrison, which he ordered one of the men
to place at the top of the steeple which hao
just been completed. Though astonished
at such a proposition a carpenter obeyed
the command, for he knew the man who
gave it to be person who would not listen
to refusal. The picture was tackled to a
large board which was soon nailed at the
top of the steeple, much to the generals
satisfaction.
Covered with Cleveland's Picture.
On Sunday morning the picture attract
ed attention at once and soon crowd
gathered around the church. Many of the
people were indignant at the political use
to which the house of God had been put, but
the Democrats in the crowd, who were in
the majority, were determined to.cover Har>
rison's picture with that of Cleveland.
Despite the protests of many in the crowd
a man assembled the perilous height and
soon placed the picture of the Democratic
candidate over that of Harrison. When he
reached the ground he was greeted with
cheers. This cheering attracted nearly
every citizen in the town, all of whom We're
soon gazing at the picture of Cleveland in
its conspicuous place.
Harrison's Face shows Again.
After much loud talking the excitement
was increased by Republican attempting
to climb up the scaffolding leading to the
spire. He was pulled back, and fierce
struggle began, in which many prominent
citizens joined Suddenly the man broke
away from the crowd and succeeded in get
ting up out of reach before he could be
| pulled down. As he assembled and took
down the Cleveland picture ne was greeted
with wild cheers from one faction and
stones from the other 1t was then long
past church time, but very many church
going people did not attend divine service,
preferring to remain in the melee.
Fought Half Way Up tne StcepIe.
When another attempt was made b. a
Cleveland admirer to get up the steeple an
other fight ensued. This was continued
| half way up the steeple, and the crowd be-
| low stood breathless, expecting to see some
| one fall. When at length the Cleveland
| picture bearer succeeded in getting to the
| top the din below was deafening. General
| De Puyster came out when the last picture
| had been put in place He was almost be
| side himself with wrath, but in the howl
| ing mob his words We're wasted.
Denounced by the Preachers.
The Democrats remained around the
| church all day and though several efforts
| were made to tear the picture down it re-
| manned there the rest of the day. In the
evening the clergymen of the town de
| nounced the affair from the pulpits. GEN
| eral De Puyster's action and the struggle on
| Sunday will be the chief topic of converse
| ton in Medalin for a long time.