The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-08-25
Harrisburg Torpedo
Treats the Volunteers
of Post No. | to a
Surprise.
ASSISTS THEM WITH VOICE AND DRUM
Expected Battle Terminates in q
Truce and a Eulogy Of the
Ballington Booths.

A truce was declared last night between
Post No. /, Volunteers of America anu
Corps No. / of the Salvation Army VIM
have been fighting for nearly eighteen
months over the open air stand on Mol
ticello avenue, between HARRISON ana
C~ommunipaw venue AT times duriis
the war between the rival religious Or
carnations it looked as If police lnterief-
ence would be necessary to keep them
from serious conflict. The war had peeh
growing hercer during the last rev weeks
and the whole neighborhood was LOOKING
nightly for a violent clash between them.
For some time it had been a case OF nrst
come, first served, and the respective cap
tains and soldiers had We'd with eacn
other in their efforts to get and hold the
coveted position ahead of their rivals. The
Volunteers. having their hall directly OPP
posite the open air stand, were able to
get there in most cases ahead or the sal
vationists, whose barracks are some SIX
blocks distant. The Salvationists claimed
a '.squatter's'' right to the stand, having
held their meetings there long before the
Volunteers were dreamed of or there was
any detection from their ranks.
1t was expected that a battle for the
coveted position would occur last night
when both organizations were TO nave
special meetings and would ~onsequeht
wish to make special announcement IN
the open air. The Volunteers were TO
have a special musical meeting, whiie
the Salvation Army meeting was to pc leo
by Major Hicks, who is known as Inc
Harrisburg Torpedo" The volunteers
were first on the open air stand, lea py
Lieutenant Elsie Rehberg and Treasurer
William Hill.
Presently the Salvation Army came
marching down the street. headed by
Major Hicks and Private Ballou, who was
industriously beating the bass drum.
Lieutenant Freer was In cnarge ol Inc
soldiers who brought up the rear. Wnsn
the Salvationists reached the corner op-
posite where the Volunteers were meet
ing they paused awkwardly. MAJOR
Hicks, however. quickly decided. upon q
which had been hitherto followed by the
Salvationists. Whispering. to Drummer
Ballou and the others to follow him ne
taking up his position on the outskirts of
the ring of Volunteers began to join in
with them in the singing. Lieutenant
Rehberg looked nonplussed, and stopped
Go right on sister," said Hicks, land
we'll give you a lift"
1--WE" consisted of the Major himself
6ltA %AAo "A%O
one who had followed him to the Volun-
Lieutenant Freer check the impulse of
the rest of the soldiers to follow and re-
maine with them on the opposite sid OF
the street, gazing in amazement at her
superior officer. She could not under
stand such an action on his part.
The Volunteers, who have no drum,
continued their meeting, Private Ballou
beating a drum accompaniment to their
tunes and he and the Major yelling loud
"Amens'' to their prayers.
The Volunteers did not invite them to
enter the circle to testify. When the
Volunteers had concluded their meeting
and marched to their hall. the Salvation
lists, who would not join the Volunteers
with the Major marched across the street
and led by him had a meeting of their
own. Major Hicks during the meeting
eulogized Commander and Mrs. Ballington
Booth, the heads of the Volunteer move
ment, much to the surprise of the large
crowd which gathered about. His action
had the effect of bringing to the Salvation
Army indoor meeting the largest attend
ance there has been at the barracks for
many months. The people went in the
expectation of witnessing further develop
ments, but were disappointed. Major
Hicks made no EXPLANATION of his actions.