The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-16
SENSATION IN A CHURCH
CLAY WILLIS PUSHES A REVOLVER
INTO O. ". ROYALS FACE.
Occurred During the CoIOred Meeting
to Protest Against the South
ern Outrages.

The crowd which was jammed in the
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
last night to adopt resolutions of indigna-
ton concerning the mistreatment of the ne
groes of the South threatened to stampede
when. in the midst of one of the speeches,
Clay Willis pushed a revolver into the face
of o. " Royal a young colored lawyer
Only a. few saw the disturbance at the time,
and not many understood it when 1t was all
over. but the few nearest the danger point
sprang up screaming and Immediately the
entire 1900 people were upon their Feet
rushing toward the doors. Oratory and the
wrongs of the negro race were for mo-
ment forgotten A sense of unknown dan
ger seemed to seize everyone. AS soon as
the revolver had cut cash in Royals face
a young man just behind him struck the as
sailant in the face, forcing his head BACK
against the wall. Ben Thornton, colored de-
tective was sitting near; he quickly seized
Willis, disarmed him, and removed him TO
the street where he finally allowed him 10
go. The crowd was finally pacified after
lapse of about ten minutes, but the incident
seemed to infuse spirit into the meeting
which was not removed for a long time
The trouble between Royal and Willis is
said to have been serious for ten days, ana
to have existed much longer than that.
Willis claimed that Royal did not treat his
wife properly, and he threatened to kill him.
1t is said that he beat Royal in his home
a few days ago. 1t is also stated that ne
said he would kill his enemy if he went to
the meeting last night. whether ne ac-
tually intended to carry out ms threat
when he followed Royal into the church IS
a question which he alone can answer. IL
So it is probable that the presence of De-
ffx-a nnp mr. M.
all said last night that he mad been tolu
that Willis was intending TO follow MN lnto
the church, and was not surprised. He SAID
that if his assailant is not arrested this
morning he will take steps 10 accomplish
this.
the largest and one of the best-known col
ored churches in the city, and at the same
time occurred in a meeting considering the
wrongs of the entire negro race, caused
regret among the leaders Of the meeting.
In every other way the occasion was de-
cided success. Every colored minister IN
the city with the exception or TWO, was
present The people present were repre-
sentative Of all the classes, and the general
disposition was to look at the situation IN
adopted after considerable discussion, but
they represent fairly the sentiment of those
present
ed upon the negro of the South, contrary
to the Constitution and all individual rights,
it was recommended that the President call
the attention of Congress to the increasing
evil. with the final intention of finding
means to prevent it from running its course
1t was also determined that copy of the
resolutions should be sent to the States
represe ntatives in the Senate and in the
lower house. to the mayor OF Wilmington
n c. to the Governors of North Carolina
and South Carolina, and to the Governor
of Illinois. 1t WAS afterwards determined
that a committee of five should be APP
pointed by the president of the meeting,
Rev d. A. Graham who should act In
capacity similar to that Of the Cuban Junta,
for the purpose Of arousing the sentiment OF
the American people so it will act upon the
negro quest ton A collection will be taken
in the various colored churches OF the city
which will be used in defrayng the expenses
of the agitation committee in its work. The
first work which will be done by the MEM
hers will be TO correspond with prominent
colored men throughout the country.
Rev. d. A. Graham addressed the meet
ing last night with an earnest review OF
the wrongs of the colored race He was
followed by Ezra Roberts I8tati,.b g l. kn2 OK
Carr and others Their speeches followed
the line OF the resolutions.