The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-02-15
Salvation Army
Fail to Convict.

Justice Cleveland's court was crowded to
oyerhowing yesterday, when the case Of the
Stale OF Oregon vs. Henry Loomis, charged
with disturbing meeting of the Salvation
Army on Friday night, camo up for trial.
Prosecuting Attorney G. J.. Curtis appeared
Tor the state, and the accused was repre-
sented by his brother, whose ordinary ayo-
cation is typesetting for the Herald. A jury,
composed of G. NJ. Celler. Edwin Drew, Joe
Peckwood, Theodore Bracker, w. B. Ross
and L. e. Bastow, was sworn in and the case
commenced. The first witness was Peter
Mattson. clad in ali the glory of blood
and-fre raincnt. He detailed in glowing
terms how, ON February 10th, lie was listen-
ing to the heart-stirrng strains of banjo
solo by his superior officer and captain. when
he was aroused from his rtverie by scufle
at the door. His warlike spirit was aroused
and he hastened to the scene of the combat,
where he saw Comrade Hutchins. the door
keeper, being rolled around ont the floor by
the defendant BY the united efforts Of the
witness and several other comrades the in
truder was expelled and peace restored.
Comrade David Chisholm then testified to
being disturbed in his deyotions by the
shouts OF men and boys and the humping of
heads upon the floor. fastening to the
spot, he helped Comradc Mattson 10 clear
the hall He was very much upset and the
meeting was terribly disturbed.
Rev. r. b. Dilworth was then sworn He
testified that he was minister of tho Presby-
terian church in this city, and on Friday
evening, the 10th inst, was at the meeting
Of the Salvation Army at their barracks ON
First street. He heard scuffie, and turn
ing round, saw young man come into the
room. Saw some pushing, and some one
went down; he could not see who. Some
body went from the platform and the row
was quelled. 1t was religious meeting,
and the exercises were disturbed by the oc-
currence.
The doorkeeper, Hutchins, then gave his |
experience. He had received open orders |
from his captain to keep out all kids, and |
when the defendant came up with kid be-
hind him, he refused to let ths kid in. At
this the defendant pushed him ON one side
and told the kid to 90 in and he would go
with him. Then came scuffie. He didn't |
know whostruck the first blow, but be got
one In the eye and the defendant was yank-
ing him around by his leg.
Sister Ida Stevens was next heard from :.
She was on the platform listening to a solo
by the captain, when she heard scuffie at 1
tho door and saw said Loomis wrestling I
with the doorkeeper. Loomis was on top, I
and Comrade Chisholm WAS ordered to
throw said Loomis out, which he did, and
peace was restored.
For the defense, Henry Loomis stated
that he went to the army barracks, and vas
taking boy in when the doorkeeper refused
to let him pass. He did not disturb the
meeting. Didn't know whether the door
keeper did or not. Master Bert Hibbs. the
guileless youth who was the cause of the
rumpus, then went on the stand, and as
meekly as his cheek would let him, related
that he was going into the army under the
wing of Mr.. Loomis, when the doorkeeper
refused to let him in. Said that Looinis
had made him promise to behave, and if he
didn't behave he would make him. He did
did not see any striking, and was not told
to 60 out. but admitted on cross-examina-
tion that the doorkeeper objected to their
going in.
Counsel for the defense then made mo-
tion to quash the proceedings on the ground
that the complaint was sworn out by order
of the captain of the army and not of the
free will of the complaining witness. The
motion WAS disallowed,
The jury, after twenty minutes delibera-
ton, brought in a verdict of not guilty. The
prisoner was released.