Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-15
TENT. WILLIsTON's FALL.
The True Story Of Its Collapse TOlt
by Chairman Clark.

The True Story of Its Collapse Told
by Chairman Clark.
What is said to be the only true account
OF the collapse of Tent Williston early last
Thursday morning was given by Mr. c. g.
Clark, chairman Of the 90 committee, at the
reception to the New York delegates at the
Church of the Covenant last Saturday night
1t has been commonly reported that the
tent became water soaked and exceedingly
heavy because of the rain that fell copiously
and steadily Wednesday night and that
about o'clock in the morning the weight
became too great for the supporting poles
and sustaining ropes. and in a sudden gust
OF wind the canvas house collapsed. Such
was the explanation given in the daily press
and commonly believed by the vast majority
of delegates.
Chairman Clark. however, at the recon-
ton Saturday night let out what is said by
those in inner circles to be the true secret
OF the affair. He couched his explanation
In the following words:
There is member Of the commfttae NJ
G. the chairman Of the hall committee ap-
propriately named Church, who carries
concealed in his anatomy wonderful vocal
organs win which he is wont to produce
stentor1an tones. During the sessions of
the committee the other members have been
in constant fear lest he should give utter
ance to the full strength of his vocal powers
and continually reminded him of the fact
and requested that he should use only one
lung. After awhile. the time came when the
tents must be erected. The chairman of the
hall committee seemed burdened with a
great load. but after they had all been pitch
ed in good season, there seemed to be a
great lifting up Of his spirits and he went
about with buoyant air and elastic STEP
THE opportunity for which he had been
longing had at last arrived. Mounting the
| rostrum he spoke In whisper. and his
words could be heard to the farthest limits
of the canvas Enclosure. But not sufficiently
satisfied with this test of the acoustic
properties OF the meeting places. over the
erection of which he had exercised such care
and anxiety, late Wednesday night or early
Thursday morning, when he supposed every
one lay away in his little bed Mr. Church
stole out, stumbled down in the darkness
and found his way to the platform Of Tent
Williston.
Outside the elements were raging. but
II under such adverse circumstances he
could be heard all over the tent. he reason
ed, he would be entirely satisfied with its
acoustic properties. He was alone, without
any to modest him. SO, initiating both lungs.
he projected a mighty roar into the dark
ness and distance.
1.-The old tent, which had been reared and
nurtured in the city of Boston, was totally
uEprepared for such a vocal revelation. The
guy ropes frightened. the tent poles bent and
cracked off and the tent. shivering and shak-
ing, sank into state Of innocuous desue-
| tude.
How Mr. Church got out do not know.
but the next day, quiet and subdued and
with a sorrowful demeanor, he repored at
form containing the voice that did the
damage also contained the will power which
caused It's repair. With heroic courage and
tndomitable will he went to work and the
next evening saw the canvas again securely
stretched and ready for the convention
meetings.
such Is the true story Of the fall and
| rise OF Tent Winston