Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-08
ROW IN THE CHURCH.
THE REV. JAsrERs CONGREGATION
DrsAGREEs As TO pEAcoxs.
SOME ONE FIRES OFF A PISTOL
The Third District Police Called On
TO Quen the Disturbance, Hut the
Officers Are Promptly Asked Ont
Jasper Holds His own.

There was trouble in John Jaspers
church last night. and for some minutes
there was hot time In the old town"
Ever since the beginning OF the year
there has been trouble brewing among
the flock of the teacher OF the doctrlns
that 'the sun do move" and this split
In the church was caused by the election
OF a new set OF deacons on January lst
The old officers were then turned out'
and an entire new lot elected. Since this
change IN the church government, the
good sisters and brethren" have been
at loggerheads. and anything but a
united congregation has been the result
Last night there was big meeting held
in Jasper's church, the aged divine and
founder OF that house OF worship, pre-
siding. The trouble all began on a mo
ton 10 reconsider the vote by which
the present deacons were elected.
HEARD A.PISTOL SHOT.
Just what occurred after that question
was put to the body is not known. as the
congregation was very strict In the en-
forcement of the rule that no one not
member OF the church should be allowed
within its walls during such a meeting.
but certain 1t Is, that residents IN that
Immediate neighborhoOd heard a pistol
shot and a few moments later the Third
Police Station received phone message
20 "send half dozen officers TO Jaspcr's
church quick" This message was sent
from the drugstore located on the corner
OF st. James and Duval streets, and a
very few minutes after the Sergeant had
sent officer Pillow TO the scene. with the
Instructions to secure the assistance OF
any other officer he met on the way. an
old negro woman rushed in the station-
house, and almost falling on the floor
from exhaustion, shouted. For tho
Lords sake send some licemen out to
the church, they is killing Brother Jas
per-" Close on the heels of the old darky
came the sexton of the church. who de-
clared that Peter Woofork and the lat
ter's son were creating a disturbance,
and that the son had 'poked a pistol in
his face"
officer Pillow pressed into service OFF,
GERS Prlddy. Frayser. and Jenkins, and
these guardians OF the peace walked In
upon the big meeting aid caused quite
a stir
QUESTIONED THE OFFICERS.
Royal Rex, one OF the pillows OF the
church, who by virtue of once having
been a magistrate, Is considered a legal
light i'm Jackson Ward, asked the officers
If they had warrant for the arrest OF
any one, and II not. by what right they
had intruded themselves. The officers
promptly silenced this brother by inform
ing him that II there was a disturbance
going on warrant wasn't needed In or
der to make an arrest. The scene pre-
sented when the four policemen entered.
was an animated one. Half dozen
members of the congregation were speak
ing at once, but the Reverend Jasper VAS
perfectly cool and collected, and pounded
his gayel until it was heard above the
uproar. The appearance OF the Tour
members OF the police force interrupted
the meeting for short time. Rev. Jas
ner politely requested the officers 10 step
on the outside. explaining that as FAR "a
he was concerned he did not object TO
their presence, but that the members OF
the congregation did. lie asked them.
however. TO remain In the immediate
neighborhood, as their services might be
needed.
HE ADVISED JASPER
one of the officers. who Is himself
good Baptist, advised Jasper what TO 90
under the circumstances. II seems that
Jasper is in favor Of the deacons as
elected on the 1st OF January.
When the officers took their departure,
the proceedings were continued, but were
again interrupted some time later by the
appearance of a Dispatch reporter Ths
latter was not exactly received with open
arms. ard. in fact, had hardly crossed
the threshold and became aware that
the temperature inside was about 100 DC.
erees. when there were loud shouts on
"a newspaper man: put him out. put nim
out" AS the appearances looked very
favorable for another pistol shot. me
news-gatherer withdrew. The meeting
was still proceeding close on to mid
night. and It looked as though the session
would extend into the early morning.