The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-07
FREE METHODlSTS MOBBED
Crusade Against a Band of Religious
Enthusiasts in Southwestern Iowa.
After Being Stoned and Egged, They Call on
Governor Boies for Protection Queer
DOings in the Name of Christianity.

CORNING. To-. March 6.-The application
made by the Free Methodists to Governor
Boies for protection by the State militia is
the outcome of IN an ia Sonistic 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 these places have had trou BILE
with the local authorities Since last sum-
mer they have been holding protracted
meetings at Corning. At first they occu-
pied a large tent, which was burned. prOba-
bly, By an incendiary. one night last
Rink and continued their work there.
Their announced faith and creed has not
been criticised as much as their manners,
methods and pllpit 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 franticaIly thrown them
selves at full length upon the floor. and at
times have lain there kicking and rolling
has been accustomed to 60 to any of the
homes where they could gain entrance and
sing and pray until they were requested to
withdraw. They held daily seances at on g
home to heal good woman who has been
many years. The conditions were not
right, however, for hor restoration. Nat
urally the evening meetings attached a
raoble end the services were sometimes in
xfnd hrra
had been made and the prisoners released.
special policemen were sworn in to pre-
serve the peace One of the converts is w.
II. Hoxie. publisher Of local paper. who
has become SO wholly wrapped mp 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 intirm
parents. Mr.. and Mrs. Whitehead, aged
seventy-two and eighty-three. respectively.
These good old people have become inter
ested IN the meetings, and the members
and band have been regular visitors at Mr..
Hollisters home TO hold special meetings.
This became so annoying to Mr.. and Mrs.
H0lllster that they requested the visits to
cease. The Free Methodists then prevailed
upon the old compile to 60 with them aud
occupy quarters which they would lit up.
day night after these events Mr. HoXie
thanked God that this was mot the kind
of religion which allowed a man to turn
his old father and mother out of doors"
At the close OF the meeting Bert Hollis
ter n son OF Robert and q grandson of the
old couple, approached Captain Hoxie and
called him liar and few other SINH Lar
names. The special police threatened him
with arrest. but he WAS we'll backed no by
young companions. The next night the
manager OF the rink building leased the
main floor of the edIfiee for o prize-fi CHIT
and boxing exhibition. Large crowds
gathered. and during the evening the win.
dows of the rink occupied by the revival.
lists were kicked in. the electric lights were
shut OF at the works. and the pentecosta al
band was served with rotten eggs stones
and sticks. At the conclusion the gang fol
lowed the workers to their sleeping quar-.
tiers and pelted them with eggs and other
missiles, The band did not complain to
the city authorities. but at once tel
egraphed the Governor for troops. The
Governors private secretary communicat.
ed with the sheriff. who telegraphed him
there was no cause for alarm or calling out
the militia. The United States marshal ID
now here investigating the situation. Pub
lie sentiment is strongly opposed to the
continuance of these meetings Captain
Hoxie alleges that Thursday nights moi
was the same as that which lynched and
hung the murderer Mckenzie here few
years ago,