The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-25
MOB ROUTES DoWIElTE BAND.
PcIts Zionists with Eggs, stones
and Overripe Fruit.
From the Chicago Chronicle.

Six women, clasping hands and
chanting prayers, formed a circle
around two men to protect them
against the assaults of an excited mob.
VoIleys of stale eggs and fruit and
showers of rubbish rained on the little
band. but the circle of women. con-
stantly singing hymns, stood firm.
Police threatened the assailing
crowd, but the bluecoats disappeared
after a while. Then a group of men
carried a basketful of old eggs to a
housetop, whence they could lombard
the twain inside the circle of protecting
women. A cloud of cracking shells and
their odoriferous contents despatched
not only the two men, but the half doz-
en- women.
Almost blinded by the volley and
half choking, the plucky octet at last
retreated. They succeeded in making
their way to a street car which bore
them away from further harm. Their
escape terminated an effort made last
night to hold an open-air meeting of
Dowieites at Ninety-second street and
Houston avenue.
The six Zionite women included Mrs.
Belle McMasters, under whose direc-
ton her companions acted. The two
Dowie men were Louis Christensen
and Elder Mercer. Christensen figured
some time ago in the South Chicago
fire, in which his wife was one of the
seven victims. Last night two of his
daughters accompanied Mrs. McMas-
tiers.
Open a Zionite Service.
1t was $3.50 o'clock when Elder Mere
er, christensen and his two children
and the six Dowie women arrived at
Ninety-sec street and Houston ave-
nue.. Each of the Dowieites in turn
knelt in the street and prayed. This
was followed by songs and music on a
guitar played by one of the women.
At first the little meeting went on
practically unnoticed. Later, however,
! a crowd gathered about and then
Christensen and his two daughters
were recognized. Bitter remarks about
| Christensen were made by men in the
crowd. The prayers and songs contin-
| ued, however.
Suddenly several stale eggs were
hurled into the midst of the Dowieites.
At first all thought of religion SEEM
ed abandoned and the women huddled
around Elder Mercer and Christensen
while the air became filled with eggs,
fruit, vegetables and stones.
The Dowieites were surrounded and
all sides. Suddenly the six women
seized each others hands and spread
out, forcing the crowd back until they
had formed a ring about the two men.
In this way Elder Mercer and Christi
ansen were protected from violence, as
no one in the crowd seemed inclined
to mistreat the women beyond throw
| ing missiles at them.
Word was sent to the South Chicago
police. Several officers under Lieuten-
ant Creighton hurried to the scene
The lieutenant attempted to restore
order and told the leaders of the crowd
| that if the trouble was not Immediately
stopped he would make arrests. But
the police were then called elsewhere
and the siege was resumed.
HOOts Down Elders Voice.
The hymns were resumed by the
women and Elder Mercer endeavored
| to talk. The crowd hooted and yelled
drowning his voice.
Then Christensen stepped forward
| and shouted that he was sorry to see
such a demonstration. He said he was
surprised, but nevertheless forgave the
crowd for their actions and called or
God. to forgive their sins. Some in tht
| crowd took up his words and repeated
| them
Hang him" Lynch him!" came
back a chorus of responses.
At this juncture a veritable shower
of eggs engulfed the Dowieites. They
seemed to come from the sky, but were
really thrown from the top of ouild-
ing beside which the meeting was in
progress.
At this new show of violence the
circle of women moved north on Hous-
ton avenue. Christensen and Elder
Mercer were still in the center. Chris
Hansen strobe along, holding the hands
of his little daughters, who walked
on either side of him.
He continued shouting that he for
gave the sins of the mob and asked
the forgiveness of God for those who
were doing violence.
Mob Follows the Dowieites.
AS the strangely formed crowd of
Dowieites walked north in Houston ave-
nue. the mob followed. They continued
down the street until they arrived at
Ninetyfirst street, where the Calumet
Electric Street Railway runs. There
the crowds again surrounded the Zion
tie band. Christensen attempted to
lead his companions in prayer and
song. Each time that he spoke, how
ever, showers of missiles were hurled
at him until he at last yielded.
At this moment a street car appeared.
The Dowieites managed to get beside
the track. and when the car stopped
they boarded 1t. Christensen, after
riding several blocks, alighted. He
managed to get to his home with his
daughters.
Elder Mercer and his followers con-
tinued on the street car to Sixty-third
street Later it was announced that
they had gone to the Dowie Tabernacle
at Eeventieth street and Stony island
avenue.
The same little band Of Dowieites at
tempted to hold a meeting in South
Chicago two weeks ago, but dispersed
when a crowd began a demonstration.
Christensen was the center of a dis
turbance in South Chicago following
the fire early last June, in when his
wife died and one of his children was
severely burned. He attempted to pre-
vent the injured child from receiving
medical attention.
The police took the girl from him and
a crowd of angry citizens surrounded
his home 1t was with difficulty that
the police protected Christensen
against violence on that occasion. The
child was later given medical treat
ment under orders of the Juvenile court
and it recovered.
TWISTS IN THE CABLES.
sou,a Tudlcrous RIuuders Made I'm