The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-07
CHURCH DlSTURBS THEM
RESIDENTS NEAR ALLEN CHAPEL
ASK PROTECTION.
Special Police Powers Issued-The
Park Purchase Ordinances to
Be Introduced Friday.

There is bitter trouble between the con-
gregation of Allen Chapel, a colored church
on Broadway, near Eleventh street. and the
residents of the district The forces of the
residents side are arming themselves with
special ~police powers. and yesterday the
prospect was that their opposers must go
down in CALLING defeat. Yesterday the fol-
lowing petition was filed with the Board of
Public Safety:
1--WE, the undersigned, respectfully petition
your honorable body to give us special po-
lice protection at Allen Chapel, colored
church, situated near the corner of Broad
way and Eleventh street We have been
greatly annoyed by the colored people as
sembling about this church for many
months; they hold concerts and festivals
and suppers, and assemble on the sidewalk
and dance and sing and swear, and keep the
people in the neighborhood awake until aft
er midnight. This occurs frequently sew
eral times nearly every week, and we feel
that it has become neighborhood nuisance,
and we certainly would appreciate the favor
If your honorable body would give US special
police protection to break up this disturb
ance and nuisance, which has rendered our
neighborhood place for colored people to
assemble and riot. We most respectfully
petition your honorable body to give us this
relief at once"
The petition is signed by the immediate
residents of the church neghborhood. The
matter was discussed by the board and it
was decided to grant special police powers
to three of the signers of the petition. Ac-
cordingly, John Rheinschild, 1O11 Broadway,
and s. j. Wilson. 1918 Broadway, were
sworn in as special policemen.
Mr.. Rheinschild told the board the story
of his troubles with the church members.
He said many of them were in the habit of
coming into his yard, and to prevent this
he built a barbed wire fence across the
front. This fence was torn down. When
he heard there was to be another meeting
at the church, he built up his trocha again
and added to it's strength with fresh paint.
This worked well enough, but short time
later the fence was torn down again. From
that time he painted his fence fresh
every time meeting was to be held in the
church. This drew heavily on the war fund.
however, ana the petition was filed with the
Board of Safety.
After Mr.. Rheinschild was vested with the
power of special policeman he went home
Yesterday afternoon he again entered the
boarq OF Safety office and said he did not
DelleVed he cared to bear upon his shoulders
the worry and responsibility which devolVe
on one who has a badge showing him to be
a special policeman OF the municipality of
Indianapolis. His daughter, he said, had
objected. too. Accordingly, he was relieved
OF the cares of his office. Mr. Wilson, who
Is a slight man of more than middle age,
said he would find two more of his neign-
bors who were willing to aid him in quellIng
any more disturbances which might arise
about Allen Chapel The residents of the
neighborhood threaten to bring suit to have
the church declared a nuisance unless the
method adopted yesterday is efficacious.
Ihey say that the crowds about the church
dispense when the city policemen heave in
sight. but gather again as soon as they are
out of the way. Further reports from the
front are expected within week.