The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-27

There is trouble in North Scranton
and a desperate struggle is going on
between Michael Gerrity, an oak street
blacksmith, standing solitary and alone
on the one side, while on the other
are gathered the members of the North
Main Avenue Baptist church, about
four hundred strong, headed by the
pastor, Rev. Dr. Reading.
The church edifice was recently, In
accordance with the wishes Of the con-
gregation, moved from it's site on
North Main avenue, between Oak and
Putnam street, to the vactnt lot at
Oak street and North Main avenue.
The old Robinson residence was moved
over to a position next to the church
and will be used as a parsonage.
Michael Gerrity, however, has a
small but loud and demonstrative
blacksmith shop on the lot where it
was intended to settle the parsonage.
This lot was owned by Michael Han
nick, of Taylor, and was purchased
from him by the church. DR.. Reading
then conferred with Gerrity regard
ing the latter's moving to other quar-
ters. He arrived at what he thought
was a satisfactory conclusion and re-
ported to the congregation that for the
sum of 800 Gerrity would move away
and leave the site for the church.
CELLAR WAS DUG.
The cellar for the church was dug
and the foundation wall built and
everything was ready for the church
to be moved on to it's new foundations,
when Gerrity refused to move, and de-
MED that he had ever made any agree
ment.
After exhausting their vocabularies
in a fruitless effort to prevail upon
him to change his mind, a summons
was issued before Alderman Fidler,
calling on Gerrity to appear and show
reason why he should not leave the
place, it being claimed by the congre-
cation that he had no regular lease,
but only a monthly agreemnt. The
hearing was to take place last Tues
day, June 10, but Gerrity did not ap-
pear and judgment was given against
him.
A few days later, Attorney f. c.
Newcomb, acting for the blacksmith,
certioraried the proceedings, owing to
the case will now go over until next
September.
Rev. DR.. Reading yesterday said to
a Tribune man, regarding the matter:
After we bought the lot from Mr..
Eannick, I spoke to Mr.. Gerrity and
he said he would leave the site and the
block, on the consideration of $40 be-
ing paid him, as he would incur con-
ci n NJ
his establishment. I reported to the
congregation and we then began NOV
ing the church and parsonage. Short
ly after Mr.. Gerrity refused to move
and denied that he had made any
agreement. We pleaded with him, Mr..
Hannick, his former landlord, coming
here and asking him to move, but he
obdurately refused, and we then took
the case before Alderman Fidler.
MONTHLY AGREEMENT.
"He only had a monthly agreement
with Mr. Hannick, and owing to that
we are enabled to do just what we
have done in the matter. AS things al
present stand, we contemplate NOV
ing the parsonage further back In
the lot, in the rear of the blacksmith
shop, and will then have room to
place the church on it's foundations
We will probably begin the work this
week"
When Blacksmith Gerrity was spok-
en- to regarding the matter. he said:
81 have tried to settle the matter
with the congregation, but it seems
impossible. At the very start, about
nine weeks ago, 1 offered to move my
establishment to a vacant lot across
the street, at my own expense, but
they objected to this and want me to
get off the block. 1 deny that any
agreement was ever reached between
u.s. by which I was to move, on re-
ceiving $50
"They offered me $40 to move, but de-
nied me the privilege of remaining or
the block. / have a good business
here and a good stand, and 1 can't
afford to move Immediately to any
other place. l have my lease and am
entitled to remain here. 1 am very
sorry to have any trouble with the con.
gregation, and am willing to accede
to any reasonable proposition. l am
on the lookout for another site now
and if I find an agreeable one, the
trouble will probably be ended"
ARE MUCH EXCITED.
North Scranton residents are con.
sideraoly worked up over the mat.
ter and are speculating on the prob.
able outcome with interest. One O,
the churchs most prominent officials
yesterday said about it:
"Gerrity has always been considered
good Woodworking man hereabouts
but in this matter he is clearly wrong
He is only holding out for a larger
offer to vacate the premises, and i.
taking an entirely wrong view of the
situation"