Evening star., 1897-01-04
BAD BOYS IN CHURCH
Attempts of Pastor to Suppress Young
America,
Prepares to Have Them Arrested-A
Deacon is Appointed Special
Policeman.

Gals of the Church of the United Brethren
In Christ a burden, and are stirring up a
contention that may land a few youngsters
in Jail. There are a number Of incorrigibles
living in the neighborhood Of the Church
Of the United Brethren in Christ at the
corner Of North Capitol and r streets
Some of them belong to the Sunday school
of the church and some do not, but alto
gether they have caused a wrangling that
has resulted in a deacon becoming special
policeman, whose badge of authority was
81 tainted upon the request Of the pastor OF
the congregation.
Some time ago Rev. Julius E. Fout, the
only representative in this city of the de-
nomination known as the United Brethren
in Christ, whose congregation worships In
the handsome church which bears the name
of that sect, became aware that not only
would boys be boys, but at times they could
initiate in their behavior the inhabitants
of the lower world. The Sunday school OF
this church is one of the most fourishing in
the city and 1t Is made up Of good and bad
boys, and some of the bad boys have be-
during services they would congregate In
the vestibule, smoke cigarettes, tell stories
that would raise a universal snicker OF such
proportions as to disturb the congregation
and generally act like young heathens from
the land of Timbuctoo. Pastoral admoni-
tion produced no effect on the youngsters.
and 1t seemed to the Rev. Mr.. Fout that
patience had ceased to be a virtue.
Consulted Judge Kimball.
Accordingly. the pastor, accompanied by
Mr.. George McGregor. one of the leading
members of his congregation, lately visited
Judge Kimball and inquired what measure
he might adopt in order to extricate him.
self from his dilemma. Judge kimball said
that If any of the mischief makers were
brought before him he would cause their
parents to pay $50 for the sport they ap-
ance vile for three months, or inflict the
double penalty II the case seemed to war
rant it. AS a result of the consultation Mr..
McGregor was later commissioned as spe-
cial policeman, and with badge of authority
he proceeded to ferret out the offenders
and announced to every one in the neigh
borhood that a prison cell awaited bad
boys unless they improved their ways.
There were a number of cases of miscon-
duct on the part of boys, but very diff
cult task was encountered when an effort
was made to get legal proof as to the iden-
tity of the maiefactors. Judge Kimbali
had said he would make a horrible example
of one bad boy in order to impress the de-
STABILITY of being good on the other bad
boys, and the hunt for the one bad boy
was commenced in earnest. The boys be-
came thoroughly aroused as. to their dan
ger and held a consultation regarding
means for self-protection.
Boys Seek Protection.
The result of the congress of bad boys
was the formation of league for their
protection that not only included bad boys,
but their associates who had no mind to
get their playmates in trouble and in JAIL
The password adopted by the boys was
mum and ever since Special Policeman
McGregor became 4 keeper of the peace
it has developed that the boys about North
Capitol and r streets, formerly intelli-
gent and endowed with as good memories
as boys in any other section of the city,
appeared especially stupid and with exceed
ingly short memories whenever questioned
by the pastor of the church by the
special policeman. When a threat was
made that the pastor and the special po-
liceman would visit the home of one of
parents a friend Of the suspect secured
a red placard warning passersby that
there was diphtheria in the house and
tackled it to the door post just before the
proposed CALL which was naturally de-
ferred until the warning of a contagious
disease should be removed. Finally it was
thought the only way to bring one of the
youngsters to justice would be by arrest
ing a suspicious character and calling the
other boys as witnesses, when 1t was be-
lieved the truth could be arrived at. This
danger aroused the boys and one Of them
who carries Star route and on New Year
day gathered a goodly treasure as a result
of the sale of "Newsboys' greetings" an
nounced that he would leave the city and
become an exile rather tnan give evidence
against his companions IN the Police Court.
the boys showed no signs of making
good resolutions when the New Year was
uShered in- But strict surveillance was
kept by the special policeman AT the
church yesterday, and The boys gave the
officer of the law no opportunity to make
an arrest.