The Portland daily press., 1894-11-02
JUST DESERTS.
Five Boys who Have been Wantonly Dis
turbing the Abyssinian Church are
Fined by Judge Gould.

F1ned by Judge Gould.
In the municipal court yesterday fore
noon there was a trial which developed
the fact that Rev. S. E. Robinson, pas,
tor of the Mountfort street Abyssinian
church has been outrageously i'm
posed upon by a gang of youths.
These boys may have been actuated by
nothing worse than mischief; but their
persistence after warnings by the police,
shows that the punishment melted out
to them is none too severe. The names
of the boys composing the gang" are
Patrick Conley, Oliver Carleton, Charles
Tracy, Clarence Hepburn and Ernest
Hepburn Dennis Meaher Esq. appeared
for them.
Rev. Mr.. Robinson appeared and gave
his testimony in very interesting way.
He related how he had endeavored to get
along peaceably with the boys, how he
had prayed for them when they disturbed
his meeting, and finally, how he had
sent his boy Sammie after the police
when other means had failed. When
Sammie called the officers he was fol-
lowed by the disturbers and struck by
one of them, Pat Conley. Mr.. Robinson
has been annoyed at his house as well as
in his church by the young rowdies.
Mr.. john Cannon, one of the trustees
of the church, related various petty acts
of rowdyism on the part of the boys at
the church. He saw the Conley boy
strike the PASTORS son as the latter re-
turned from calling the police.
The PASTORS son was next called. AS
the boy took the stand the father arose
impressively and with appropriate gest-
ures towards the boy. thus ad dressed the
court: He has been threatened that
his damned skull would be broke if he
should testify here. have told him in
the cannon's mouth to come here and
tell the truth. And now, your Honor,
in the name OF the red, white and blue
and the stripes over all, want him
protected in his testimony"
Thus sustained Sammie Robinson, a
fourteen years. took the stand and told
how the five boys had howled and dis
turbed the meeting. When his ia ther
opened the first prayer they kicked on
the seats and howled. Witness related
how he had gone for the police, and
how he had been struck by Pat Conley.
The five boys were sworn, and Patrick
Conley testified first. He described
himself as a very innocent boy, attend
ing the. colored church in the regular
order of worship. He had struck Sam
mie Robinson because the latter had
called him names.
1Why did you attend this meetingYn
asked Judge Gould.
After some consideration witness SAID
that they had been invited by the pastor,
on an occasion when the boys were
making disturbance around the pas
tors house.
Oliver Carleton next told how the wor.
ship of the five had been interrupted by
Sammie Robinson's excursion after the
police.
Charles Tracy went to the meeting
with "the rest of the gang.". He forgot
to take off his hat, but joined in the
singing. The boys all did the best they
could at the singing.
Clarence Hepburn related how word
of the harvest meeting had been brought
to him by the fellers." He had attend
ed and joined in the services. Witness
admitted that at previous time he had
been brought up for disturbing the
church.
Ernest Hepburn, younger brother OF
the preceding, related how he had at.
tended the harvest meeting, had Joined
in the singing, and afterwards seen
Conley strike Sanmie Robinson. Wit.
ness declared that he had always sung
his best while attending Mr.. Robinson's
church. Hepburn admitted having
met young Robinson Wednesday evening
and threatened him if he should testify.
"These boys are old enough to know
better than to do what they have done.
If they come here again shall be tempt
ed to. send them to JAIL" said Judge
Gould. Then he sentenced Conley te
pay five dollars aud costs and then the
five, including Conley again, five dollars
each aud one fifth costs.
Other cases disposed of yesterday morn
ing were:
Frank Morgan, drunkenness, thirty
days in Jail.
Catherine A. Feeeny, drunkenness
thirty days in the city house of correc
tion.
Hans Nelson and John Broderick,
drunkenness, So and costs each.
Shakespearian Recitals.