Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-05-26
THE GAZETTE.
Salvationists Nfobbcd.

A crowd of one hundred ruflians
broke up a meeting of the Salvation
Army in the old Casino building in
Waterbury, Conn, Tuesday night,
smashed the furniture, broke the Win
dows and outrageously maltreated tic
two salvationists in charge Of the meet
ing.
Hundreds Of respectable persons were
in the building at the time, and many
of them were roughly handled. Sew
eral women tainted and narrowly es-
capped being tramp!ed upon. Dresses
and bonnets were ruined, and pande-
monium reigned for time.
1t was not until a force Of policemen,
with drawn clubs, beat their way into
the building that the two victims Of the
mob were rescued. They were then
escorted to their hotel, where it was
found that one Of them was suffering
from n fractured rib.
Thirteen members of the army began
their meeting on Saturday night and
continued them ON Sunday afternoon
and evening. Eleven Of the salvation
lists went away on Monday morning,
leay ing Adiutant John Sammons and
Captain Alexander Lamb to carry on
the work.
The building was crowded on Mon
day evening when the lights were turn
ed up The building is lighted by a
big arc light suspended from the centre
of the roof, while few incandescent
lights illuminate the stage. 1t was no.
ticed that among those present were
several tobacco chewing ruflians who
were evidently bent Oh making mis-
chief.
Adjutant Summons started to open
the meeting with prayer, whereupon
several young men in the back gallery
interrupted him with foul remarks.
The adjutant protested, but his words
were drowned in a thunder Of cat calls
and vile epithets.
The Salvationists said there was no
use trying to continue he meeting and
sat still. Then two roughs deliberate
ly raised chairs and SMASHED them.
This cue was t.. Jp by the rest and
general banging OF chairs was the re-
suit. One man threw bo,tle on the
stage, which was followed by shower
of various missiles. Women yelled
with light, and ore or two tainted.
Suddenly ire electric light in
the centre went out leaving The
crowd in darkness, except loY the
few incandescent lights on the stage.
The switch to the BIG light is On the
Cont of the building in the upper palt
of the balcony. Capt. Lamb made his
way from the stage to the balcony and
had the light on again before the rioters
knew where he was. When they saw
him they rushed ut him. He was struck
on the head with chair. and was in
danger of being Killed, when the light
was turned off again.
During this time Adjutant Sammons
was being iostled about by crowd
which had had climbed up on the stage,
but he finally got away and out into
the street, where he found policeman
Tehan. With the policeman he return
ed Just as four or five desperadoes had
Captain Lamb showed half through
a window. The noise attracted a crowd
until the passagew:y into the building
was eliectually blocked. but the arrival
of platoon OF policemen who had been
notified of the riot soon cleared the way.
With liberal use OF their night sticks
they cut their way into the building
and their presence cooled the spirit of
the hoodlums.
The building Was soon cmptied and
the policemen decided to escort the Sal
yationists home. When they got out
side the building they found a crowd of
fully / 800 people awaiting them. No
violence was offered, but Il crowd of
several huldred followed the party to
their rooms. There it YVES fc,'nd that
both were badiy injured and that one Of
Capt. Lambs RIBS was fractured
The Salvat;onists plucl.ily held q
meeting TueGday niyht under the pro-
lection of ten policemen, but there was
no disturbance. Lev. Mr.. Elsdon,
of the .Baptist Church. and Rev. Mr..
Barton, OF tie Methodist Church, ap-
pea ed upon the platform, denounced
the action Of the hood!uins and offered
the Salvationists the use Of their
churches.
'It is an outrage said Adjutant
Sammons, "and cGnHot understood it.
We did rot come he,e 20 harm asoul or
to denounce any religion. We have
hired that hall and we don't intend to
be driven off. | viii see If we cannot
get proper protection or il tic people of
Waterbury intend to see us maltrcated.
AUXILIARY SocIETY.-NIiss Emory,
of New York, and Miss Stuart, Of Alex