New-York tribune., 1896-12-29
JPROAR IN 4 CHCRCH.
POLICE POWERJESS AND A WON Ans
ARM BROKEN IN THE CRUSH.
OTHER WOMEN FAINT AND MANY HATS ARE
SMASHED AT A MOUNT VERNON MEETlNG-
ONE FACTION DETERMINES TO HobD
TIE HALL. ALL NIGHT -
POLICE on GUARD.

POLICE on GUARD.
What was probably the most exciting church
election ever held in Mount Vernon took place
last night The meeting was in an uproar from
start to finish; ore woman had her arm broker =.
some hats smashed and several women
tainted. The police were rresen; and made
vain endeavor 10 preserve order. Had ii not
been for the presence Of the police the election
would have probably been more exciting
ST Pauls German Lutheran Church has been
divided for some time. The Rev. Charles F
Somers was pastor OF the church. According
TO the younger portion Of the members he was
AN old fogy. slow and non-progressve." They
said he was behind the times and they wanted
younger and more energetic pastor There are
about two hundred members Of the church
When the split came they were evenly divided
The older members Of the church those who
wished Mr.. Somers retained. were in control
and for year preparations for last nights meet
irg were made. Some time ago the younger fac
tion engaged pastor the Rev. DR.. Modenke
and have held services in Wizards Hal. but
have retained their membership in St Pauls
Church. announcing their intention Of taking
part in the election Of last night.
The election was TO select six trustees Ac-
cording these trustees belong 10 faction
or the other the retention or dismissal Of the
Rev. Mr.. Somers would be decd d There We're
rumors for several days that there would be
trouble at the meeting. and both sides asked
,or police protection. Sergeant Beckwith and
TWO ratrolmen were assigned To the church
for the evening
The Somers faction. with Frederick Ea.nst.
a New-Yori lawyer to guide them with legal
advice gathered early in the church to proceed
20 transact business. The other faction met in
Willard + all preparatory to going 70 the church.
Mr. Moldenke and Frank Bennett, a lawyer,
were with them. When all had assent I'd they
proceeded 10 the church. The Somers people
were already there. The Willard Hall peop.e
ousted the minister from his seat and replaced
him by their own minister. They then pro-
ceeded TO elect Jcfn Bergwald as chairman Of
the meeting. and - -,'ed d 10 business. This
action was so qu.ck. taken that less than a
quarter Of the Willard Hal faction had en-
tered the church room,
The somers faction was called upon to leave
the room by it's leaders. and to meet downstairs
The narrow stairs leading TO the room where the
services are held were then jammed with the
Willard Hall faction struggling to get into the
room When the Somers faction started down
there was a crush and jam on the stairs. Women
tainted. and men lost their hats and tempers.
One woman, Mrs. Roenger had her arm brok n.
and it is asserted by some that sly digs in the
ribs were exchanged in the crush. Mr.. Bennett
became involved in the crowd and lost his silk
hat When he recovered 1t he threw II out OF Il
window and sent home FOR another one.
After long struesic On tne STAIRS the .. lac-
tions separated and occupied different 'oors.
The Willard Hall faction formally elected SIX
trustees and declared its pastor the pastor OF
the church The SCmers faction elected rs
six trustees and determined to remain Arm for
their pastor 80
Both sides content then FOR while. until
II became runOred that the Willard Hall rae
tion had the best O.. the encounter Ia that they
had gained possession Of the meeting room, and
I'm il were the different articles belonging 10 the
church They did not disperse a:t@r the cleo
tion but remained in the hall
Their purpose was not plain for while. un-
III il became known that they were engaged In
taking off the locks on every door and replacing
them with ones of which they possessed the
KEYS and which were Of intricate make. The
Somers faction then announced its intention OF
re-opering the doors after the Willard Han lac
ton went away. This news was carried TO the
people upstairs and they declared they would
remain all night in the room After the doors
had been reocked with the new locks a praise
service was begun.
The police tried 10 dispersc those on the out
side but they refused TO go away. The ponce,
were then ordered TO prevent any trouble and
10 remain all night II need be. Up 70 late
hour both sides remained arm. and the ponce
were on the scene.