The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-08-23
ALMOST a LYNcHINe.
A story OF Trouble Over u coiored Church
in the south.

a story OF Trouble over "N"Aofe" S-'"'N--
in the south.
The whole state was discussing the /
situation ia Barnwell A murder had
been committed near Denmark, In that
county. under most exasperating err
cumstances, and it's people are wild
with excitement, Men had been rid
inc in groups hither and thither,
securing woods and fields in pursuit OF
the perpetrator OF that dastardly
crime. Taken at last. he was tried by
a hastily jury and CON
victed. The infatuated mob, not await
ing further ceremony, seized tine cap
tive. and while he begged piteously
for his life, dragged him to tree near
the scene of his crime and hanged MN
high. Then they mounted the railroad
embanlment, conveniently near ana
emptied their revolvers into the Jan
gling body of their victim.
Among the negroes, naturally ex'
cited over the events just narrated
were the members of Sydney fark
church in the otherwise quiet town OF
C. This organization owed its ex-
;stence mainly to the efforts OF one
man, to-wit, Lucius James Marceltus
Semptimus NAPLES, who, having been
excluded from the formerly leading
church of the town on the charge OF
hoo stealing under seemingly mex
crsable circumstances, determined,
with the aid of friends who withdrew
with himself, to build new church Oh
his own. The result was handsome
frame structure, of which the congre-
cation was Justly proud Being gen
e,.allv known as loose in it's standards
of discipline, and inclined to be sensa-
tional, Sydney Park soon became the
most popular church in town, ana
even MANY of the leading lights OF
high society resorted thither gladly
/. Rut with the new pastor
: Rev Marcus Balbus Hall, th'
membership became divided into 1--WE
, parties, the one hating and persecut
inc their preacher with zeal equal t.
i that with which the other-includlni
the great portion of the women-ad
e mired and defended him. The wran
rling resulting from this state OF a.
:, fairs was at its height when the ne"
e came from Denmark, and, after
church meeting had been held to col
e slider the lynching, in which all Joine
without regard to party, the old hatre
= broke out anew. One fine morning
\ while Rev Hall was on the roun
of his pastoral visits, black and ourl
D. fellow, whose sympathies had been e
Sc listed by the opposing faction bega
to dog his steps, pursuing MN ITO
in house to house with oaths aRd ang'
IN enithets of abuse. Under these trylf
to circumstances the preacher retaln'
his self-possession, and refused to n
III fire his persecntor until he reach
al the house of his ardent supporter, MI
~ LILA Hayward Celesca Marcellus sc
he timus NAPLES. When the SITUATION n
nd been explained to this lady, oiddl
m. her nastor wait minute, my ort
ic. der she rushed from the rear door
to the house, and minute or Two Id
ia. returned accompanied by elght OIL
women as stalwart as herself. Ih'
led surrounded the object of their Ire
in bagan to threaten him with the IN
terrible vengeance if he did not
re- stantlv cease his attacks on their
tor. When he refused to do TINS
ard attempted again and again to brt
ect through the wall of Amozons that
circled him, their anger was wrou;
inc into frenzy. Suddenly someone crl
are II tell YOU what do. get rope!
.el- sooner said than done. The rope
at hand, and, with wild execratl
list and cries of revenge, they adjusted
nix. moose to their victims neck. A
hat ment later, and one of Sydney ia
md members would have been beyond
inc sphere, but the uproar had attract'
policeman, who promptly releasing
prisoner, hurried him away to
lock-up. To reporter who came
on the scene soon afterward one OF
for women engaged exclaimed; Yes
ntul dew had jus give MS one more HI
N to denmark wouldn't ben nowhar'
This was in April. One n'gh
here Jupe following | was startled on
are NV sleep by the clear and LOUD al
test of the fire bells When my boy a
came in next morning 20 black
nure boots and asked where the nre
from he REPLIED, with subdueG, solemn "
free Sydney Park done burn down
atch timore American
ire -
just Judgments.