The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-10
CHURCH FACTIONS FIGHT.
Screams Aroused the NcighborhOOd
and Police Summoned.

Special 10 the indianapolis Journa,
BEDFORD, Ind, Aug. 9-One of the
most disgraceful church rackets, caused by
the May faction" and the ''Chrisler- Sum
ner faction of the Church of Christ in this
city, took place at the church house of that
denomination Saturday night, in which sew
eral OF the participants of each side Jared
oadly. There has been a fractional fight
going on among the members for some
time, and charges of heresy and disobedi-
ence had been preferred against Evangelist
Peter B. May, of this city. and he had been
given notice to appear before the elders
with Elder Frederick Sommer of Indianap-
oils, at the head, to answer Mr. Nav
offered TO have his correspondence with Ell
der Sommer in regard to certain church
matters, on which these charges were
based, placed in the hands of three elders
and abide by their decision as to his inno-
cence or guilt. This was refused by the
Chrisler- Sommer faction, SO it is claimed
by Mr.. May, but he had the correspond
ence looked over by Elders Martin, of
Mitchell, and Benz. J. Elston, of Covington
IND, who certified by published card in
the Daily Mail, of this city, that having
read all the correspondence between Dam
lei Sommer and P. b. May, beginning Aug
4, 1886, and ending March Is, 1897 felt war
L. %.
no sufficient reason for any charges of
1alsehood or insincerity being brought
against him by Daniel Sommer.
Each faction had free use of the columns
OF the Mail to lay it's troubles before the
public until it became a nuisance Then
each faction gave notice that on Saturday
night Aug. Z, there would be a meeting
at the church for the purpose of electing
Two new trustees. When the time arrived
church Being refused admttance they
pushed their way in by oVerpoWering the
doorkeeper of the Sommer people, who
were IN possession of the house when they
arrived. AS soon they had gained ad-
mlttance trouble began in earnest. As fast
as the May people would light the lamps
they were put out by members of the Som
mer crowd. Constable Chestnut who had
been asked to be present, was called on to
arrest ARE any ana an OF the May members
who undertook to gain admittance, but in
formed them that inaSmuch as a meeting
had been called by the members to elect
trustees he had no authority to interfere
1t was not long until "a general Touchdown
was in full blast. Women screamed until
they could be heard for squares and the
citizens living in the vicinity of the church
thought some one was being murdered The
city police rushed to the scene and sue
ceeded in quieting the beligerents After
the battle the May faction succeeded in the
election of two trustees and the meeting
adjourned, the May faction intending to
lock up the house keep the key and be i'm
readiness to hold the fort for Sundays
services. They We're considerably confused
on finding that the key had been carried
away by their departed brethren; but not
to be outdone, they secured a new lock
which they placed on the door. locked up
the house and departed for their homes
On Sunday morning they We're surprised
on arrival at the church to find that the
Sommer faction had arrived some time in
advance, was in possession and they Were
refused admittance. Not to be outdone,
they began services at the front door.
During this time any Sommer members
who arrived would be admitted to the
church. Police officers were hand and
everything went off quietly. Mr.. May
preached, and stated that although serV-
ices could be held in the church, did they
preferred to stay out in the yard. Prose-
cutor Earring is busily engaged in getting
names of the participants of each faction
is not likely TO prosper as in the past 1t
Is probable that no more services will be
held until decision is reached and some