Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-05-25
w. S. DUNHAM, Agent,
.....BeIIoWs Falls, Vt.
Communion Wine on Her Dress.

The Saturday issue Of the TIMES con-
tanned an account of the prosecution of
Thomas |. Crane of Townshend for dis
turbing religious meeting. The Sunday
Springfield Republican speaks Of the mat
ter as follows:
The Baptist church of Townshend would
welcome any arrangement whereby it
might observe peacefully the ordinance
the members of the church have been I'M
certain of being able to commune together
in uninterrupted solemnity. They have
put forth strenuous efforts to bring about
condition of affairs which would insure
the qualification of their desire. But their
efforts thus far have been comparatively
fruitless and the end is not yet The dis
turbing element at these services has been
the person of Thomas l. Crane, a farmer
who lives short distance out Of Town
shend village. Crane is about so years
old, and he has a wife and several children.
He is war veteran. About 20 years ago
Crane and his wife joined the Townshend
Baptist church upon confession of faith.
After several years the attention of MEM
bers of the church was called to bis behav-
ior as unbecoming member of the organ
ization. He was arrested later on sus-
picion OF selling Intoxicating liquor con-
trary to the statutes, and he was fined by
the court. This and other alleged acts led
the church to take special consideration of
his case, with the result that he was ex-
cluded from church membership about ten
years ago. On several occasions since
then he has insisted upon partaking of
communion, contrary to the rules of the
church, claiming that he was entitled to
the rights of church member, as he had
not been properly notified Of his expulsion.
His conduct became particularly offensive
to the church members, and in 1898 COM
plant was made against him and he was
arrested, but was atterward discharged.
Another suit was instituted against him in
1895, but it was discontinued upon his
signing an agreement not to make further
trouble. For nearly three years he was
faithful to his pledge, but on the first of
the present month his disturbing charac-
teristics again manifested themselves at
communion service. The deacon who
passed the emblems naturally gave no heed
to the presence of Crane, as he passed the
goblet of wine to Mrs. Crane. Scarcely
had Mrs. Crane taken the goblet in her
hand, when Crane wrested it from her.
Mrs. Crane made some resistance, and in
doing so quantity of the wine was spilled
upon her dress, at which she made slight
outcry, sufficient to attract the attention of
all the worshippers.
A complaint was made out against
Crane, and the case was placed in the
hands of State Attorney G. H. Robb of
Bellows Falls. The hearing was held last
week before Justice j. II. Merrifeld of
Brattleboro. II. G.. Barber Of Brattle-
boro appeared for Crane. A large num-
Der OF spectators were present, and prom
inent members of the church in Towns
bend appeared as witnesses. At the open
ing of the trial the counsel for the defense
entered claim that the case did not come
under the jurisdiction of the state attorney,
and he quoted the statute, which says that
complaints against persons charged with
disturbing religious gatherings shall be
made by the town grand jurors in the
towns where the disturbances occur. JUS
tice Merri6eld held that that statute should
not be construed as interfering with the
statute, which says that all crimes short of
murder and the like may be prosecuted by
the state attorney. Crane again set up
the claim that he was not properly notified
of his exclusion from the church, but State
Attorney Robb produced his written agree
ment not to make further disturbance,
which he considered had been violated.
Justice Merri6eld found Crane guilty and
fined him IS and costs, amounting to
about S17. Justice Merrifeld made the
fine the lowest possible under the statute,
in the hope that Crane would pay the fine
and that the matter would end. Crane
has appealed the case tn the county corrt