The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-01-17
PANIC IN CHUHCH
During a Funeral Crazy Man Takes
Charge.

Chicago, ILL.,, January 15-(Special) y
In the midst of the solemn funeral cerc-
monies over the remains of Rev. Father
Wheadon at Wheudon Methodist church Of
Evanston yesterday, Il sensation
scene occurred. The village justice OF The
peace was hoUrtd by muruerous blow
from the hand OF an ehraSd IMAM, and sor-
rowing trleuuS paying the last tribute TO
the dead, were panlc stricken by the deS-
pcrate struggle luat euSueu between the
uISturber and seven men who enueavored
to rlu the church OF his presence. lhe
sensation threw the little hamlet lnto fever
OF excitement from Winch 1t VIII not re
cover tOr many days.
The oncnuer, Il. X. Williams, who re-
sides i'll north Evanston, is sand to be OF
unsound mud but he was III tie habit OF
attending To his own affairs and restraint
was not thought necessary. lie was al
ways u great idmirer OF the dead divine,
VINO was reClprocauye. The death or the
minister deeply affected Williams. lie de-
clared that he Would make an address AT
the service and at first his friends .Jecided
that it would be better not to let him at
tend the ceremony but he Gdi ha
gan his address on the life
and character of Father Whcadon
Williams rose in his pew and began attract
ing the attention to himself by making
grimaces at all whose eyes he could catch.
largely to the ladies' Some of the women be-
came alarmed and left the church. This
Williams interpreted disreSpect to his
dead friend, and advancing into the aisle
in front of the door he permitted no one to
leave the building. Those III the rear of
the church became excited, but the disturb
unce was not known to those nearer the
pulpit.
just at this point Mrs. Joseph McCallum,
who was sitting near the front found 1t
he Il, 4 tf,n
door she was confronted by Williams, who
was pale as death. In tones that sent
chill to the very heart of the women, he re-
fused to let her pass.
but | must leave" she falteTcd.
You shall not" shouted Williams.
There was no installing the situation
a moment. They rushed at Williams.
Service. was forgotten; all was confusion.
Robert Freeman, well-llnown as town
justice of the peace, approached Williams,
thinking to brighten him by his
authority while other men crowded
up to protect any one from violence.
Il will arrest You, Williams, if you do
not leave this church Immediately"
NO you won't, yelled Williams, and
quick as a flash he had delivered powerful
blow, prostratng the well-meaning man of
the law. Freeman was knocked fiat on his
back Jumping up again he rushed at the
enraged man. A half dozen other men, all
that could get III the aisle, fell upon the
maniac. A desperate fight followed. The
sacred temple resounded with shouts from
the men and cries from the terrified women.
The struggle took place at the doorway and
no one could leave the church. The presence
of the dead was forgotten, and DR.. Will
knson stood where he had been interrupted,
his Bible on the floor, where it had fallen,
gazing in amaZement at the scene, which to
him as 10 many others, was without expla-
nation.
In the meantime some one had summoned
the patrol wagon, and by the time it came
rafting up to the church door, Williams
was on his back and police justice had his
knee on the crazy mans chest. He was ar
rested, after which the funeral occurred.