The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-06-07
Sympathies of People
With the Mob.
Leaders viii be Prosecuted i'll
Possible.
ESPECIAL TO THE rREss.I

I Bangor. June 6.-whils the excitement
over the tarring and feathering of RYAN
gelist Higgins has not abated, the village
Of Levant is quiet tonight, and the peo.
pie are earnestly discussing the probable
action of the authorities in the matter.
Sheriff Brown was in the village today
and made careful inquiries concerning
the cause of the outbreak and the mon
who composed the mob. The two mes
sengers who came to Bangor at O'Clock
this morning brought the names of two
well-known residents of the town as hav-
ing been recognized in the mob at Glenn
ent's house, and today Sheriff Brown Sc
cured the names of IS or 20 others, said to
have been in the mob It is altogether
| likely that these men viii be arrested In
day or two. and brought to Bangor for
| trial. e.
The situation with respect to the prose-
cution of the guilty one is peculiar. In
the first place public sentiment is over
| whelmingly In favor Of the mob and
| against the evangelist. and it will be
difficult to get any one to testify against
| anyone else as having taking part in the
| demonstration. From what could be
heard in Levant today it seems likely
that any one arrested will be able to show
an alibi by the friendly testimony of
scores of the best people of the town for
| they all seem disposed to protect each
other. What is most discouraging of all to
the lauthorlties, Evangelist Higgins and
| all Of the colony at Clements fnrm de-
clars that they will not appear against,
the mob, nor give any warrants that may
be taken out. They say, in their strange
enthusiasm, that 1t was the will of Gbd
that higgins was tarred and feathered.
and that 1t would be directly in conflict
with the teaching the Bible to take any
steps towards furnishing the guilty, of
whom they say, with upturned eyes,
| Father. forgive them, for they know
not what they do"
First Selectman John White, 3 promin-
ent man in these parts, has procured the
necessary papers from the Bangor mu-
nicipal court for the holding sof hearings
in the cases of some OF the leaders of the
holiness movement and several of the con-
verts, to determine whether or not they
are insane as many people firmly believe
them to be. and it Is likely that the hear
ings will be held In day or two. 1t is
also said that an effort will be made to
have Evangelist Higgins indicted by the
grand jury in August for conspiracy and
fraud in urging converts to give up their
property. ss 3
Selectman White himself told Higgins
on Monday that he had better get out Of
town, and assured him that IL he did not
do SO at once he, white,, would come up
and help to drown him. This statement
was made boldly by Mr.. White himself to-
day, and he is supported by almost the
ertire community in his stand. MIR.
White also offered to get all the bail need.
ed for any person who might be arrested
for taking part in the mob violence. Hig-
gins says that he will not leave town un-
til so directed by the Lord, but there Is q
belief that he will not stay in Levant
long. Clyde Marcho and others who
have been concerned in the holiness re-
vivals have also been invited to get out of
Levant, the people are determined to get
rid of these revivalists and it is likely
that there viii be trouble in the town ua.
I'll Higgins and all others active IN she
movement leave.