The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-18

I ne 6fnltn IeTCcS m the Olu Snlp Church war scored an important vic- tory last night In a gallant sortie they captured the church building and never lost a man.. The Trustees had nailed up the church doors and posted them to keep out the pastor and his forces, but aii- in vain.
 General Elijah Cook, the leader of the Trustee packers. at 9 o'clock last night issued, the following general order to his army:
 T regret to report that the enemy in a night attack captured Old Ship Kopje at o'clock. At the time of the attack the garrison was temporarily absent and the scouts failed to report the approach of the armed force. The attack at that hour on cold night was in clear violation of all regulations and have given the fight to our side on foul The enemy's ad- ceeded in securing the reinforcement of Constable Gilmer backed by the strong arm of the law and in a few hours l ex pect to regain the advantage which we have lost and capture Commandant Bird Shoot and his lieutenants."
 The above order does not contain the full account Of the successful night sor tie by which Old Ship Church. was lost gathered at the home of a friend of the preachers. There the attack was orga- nized.
 At 8 o'clock the army began its march It crossed the veldt to the southwest of the point of attack. It trekked up the Holcombe kopje with Commandant Bird Shoot in the lead. Re was closely fol- lowed by half a hundred black burghers prepared to do or die. The moon was hidden by the clouds and a fierce wind blew from the north. but the burghers in black minded that but little.
 Near the top of the kopje halt was ordered and reconnaissance taken. All was quiet. The garrison had evidently evacuted. By this time the minister s forces had been reinforced by a strong feminine contingent. After a brief con ference the attacking party passed for uSa yard and surrounded UT, Si,;,s the door of the and threatening The f1uttering of the legal notice which the Trustees had nail ed to the door. warning all trespassers to keep out on penalty of tho law sound ed ghostly. It was an awesome. tense moment The attacking party held its breath. The silence wes broken by hoarse voice in the rear calling out in sepulchral tones. Bust her open" Shoot busted her open" He tore away the restraining plank and snatched the notice from the door. He put his mus. cular shoulder against the door and the poured into the church. the lamps were lit and hymn of praise and thanksgiv- ing was sung. There was much shout ing and many hallejujahs. The sisters" NOhtu IneInSElNeS over the victory of the minister When the thanksgiving service was over the con- gregation elected an entirely new set of trustees.
 In the meanwhile a runner had rushed down to General Cook with tidIngs of the disaster. With a resourcefulness that would have done credit to Napoleon the General rushed up to his lawer Inside out against Commandant Bird Shoot and his Heutenants, Oliver Alexander and Frank Coleman. The warrants were put in the hands of Constable Gilmer and the General sat down to await developments. Bird Shoot when he is not capturing churches is carpenter.
 It was thought yesterday that Rev. C. H. Smith. pastor of the church. would attempt to tear down the blanks and en- ter the church forcibly. but the attack was postponed until legal advice could be obtained Fortified with q lawyers opinion the attack was successfully made last night. although the trustees party had posted a legal notice on the door warning off trespassers and had sent work to the pastor that he was out of A job and if he did not move out of the church parsonage he would be put out.
 The trouble in the church hinges on what set of Board of Trustees shall con- trol it's affairs. The church is incorpo- rated and the incorporation papers say that the trustees elected under it's pro- visions shall hold as long as they are members of the church. The trustees who were elected under it's provisions are Elijah Cook, Stephen Pierce M. l.. Clark. ?. IT. Green and Henry Ballard.
 The Smith faction say that +h~ '@"" "e eleeting church trustees for
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