Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-03-08
FOOL-kILLER WANTED.
Attempt TO Insult Rev. FIR. Butler
I,nhlir Indinuuiinn

Public Indignation.
Lat sunday morning the city OF Ellsworth
Wa startled by the discovery OF a bideou--
hooking sfair near the entrance Of The Caiho-
lie church.
II was 4 cross covered with crocu. smearei
with tar and feathers, ana with placsri
reading Butler, doctrine Hestheui,m. Athe-
ism and Infidcli.m." A skul was al the top.
The report quickly gained circulation tbs;
this idlotIc exhibition Wa intended 10 uiu-
encc the voters OF Ward 5-the church l. loca-
ted in this ward-to vote against the republican
candidate for alderman, he being Protestant.
and there being large number OF voters 10
ihi. ward " no are Catholics.
A. -oon A. the nature Of the pacard be. anne
fully known, Il wa- hard TO discover It's re-
lation TO the pending municipal election, and
indignation was expressed on every hsnd.
Probably there Is no citizen Of this city more
highly and universally respected by people Of
sll shades OF religious belief than Rev. I. +.
Butler. He has been pastor OF st. Jo.eph-
church for shout thirteen year, and as pas
tor and citizen he 4 extremely popular. His
interest in the public schools IS intense, and
hit addresses 10 the children are AWAY. inter-
esting and helpful. He + trustee of the re-
Gently public library association.
Wbv he should be selected a. the person TO
whom 10 offer such a gro-s insult Is bey ond
comprehension. So Indignant Is the feeling
Throughout the city that ii would 60 bard With
the perpetrator Of the deed should he become
known.
Monday morning fr. Butler. SITTER reading
the report Of the affair IN a Bangor paper,
wrote the follow ing which appeared Tuesday
morning
ELLSWORTH, Ne, Mar. ), 1894.
To the Editor ofhe Bangor Dafy Ne.cs:
Dear sir-I read in thi. mornings Netrs the
sccount you published OF an Insult offered to
my congregation and 10 self on last SUNDAY
morning. The facts are, unfortunately. just
a. YOU have stated But the differences which
YOU and other fairminded men might be lead
to draw from these facts are, | believe. not
sustained by true know ledge OF the state Of
affairs here.
No doubt YOU believe Ellsworth To be full Of
bigotry that the relation. between the Catho-
lies and Protestants are quite strained. and
that the hostility to those who profess the
same religion myself is quite common TO
those who differ from Us in religious matters.
II you think 30. then wish TO state that YOU
are quite mistaken.
The contrary Is nearer to the truth. Indeed
! believe there is little religious bigotry In
the city OF Elsw orth may be found In any
town OF Maine OF the same population. Who
ever did The vile act which YOU have described
| know not nor do | know precisely his
motive; but am certain ii was not by the
consent or advice of any reputable Protestant
citizen OF this town.
Ii was probably the unsdyised act OF some
crank. They are found everywhere, and
their name Is legion"
write this a. lover Of truth and fair play
have the honor and welI-being of our good
town at heart, and | am jealous OF her reputa-
ton abroad. | really believe that Ellsworth
deserves today better reputation than she ha-
thus far enjoyed.
In fine, write this because | think 1t may
come from me with better grace than from
another. No one can expect NE Of any bias
| In the matter.
Respectfully,
THos. +. BUTLER.