The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-15
PRIEST USES HIS FISTS
FATHER BASIL BLACKS THE EYES
OF ERNEST BICKNELL.
Fight I'm Chicago ONCE Building Gre
afes n sensation-BfckneII Well
known I'm Indiana.

Indiana Board of State Charities and at
present superintendent of the Chicago Bu-
reau OF Associated Charities. had a fight
with priest in his Office in the Unity build
ing. Chicago, Friday afternoon that fur
nished sensation for Chicago newspapers.
Father Claude Basil. head of the st. Johns
School for Boys. OF Chicago, was the ag-
gressor in the encounter. seeking Bicknell
with the avowed intention of assaulting
him. The priest even went so far as to In
quire the amount Of the fine for an assault,
and remarked that II would be well worth
the price before he called on Bicknell.
AS a result of the encounter Bicknelps
eyes are draped in mourning and the priest
Is suffering from a slight indisposition in
cident to rough handling he received from
Bickneil and persons who rallied to the
latter's assistance. All the Chicago news
Rapers contained lengthy accounts of the
lair yesterday, and it is !ntimated that
there may be some further sensational de-
velopmerits
From the published versions OF the fight
II seems that Bicknel let 1t be known some
time ago that Father Basil. according to
Information 10 had received, formerly was
head OF = boys school in England, and that
he hsS ben compelled to leave the estab-
lisby1eut IN order to escape an investigation
OF nj rJnduct. which. had the charges
against him been proven. would have been
embarrassing. to say the least Bicknell
also asserted that at the time this took
. place Father Basil was known as George
4 N. Reader
FATHER BASILS CHARGE.
In making this known Father Basil
claims that Bicknell intimated that he was
guilty of other offenses. The stories
reached the priests ears. and he went at
once to the Bureau of Charities. stopping
on the way. however. to inquire how much
he might be fined for assaulting the man
whom he evidently had planned to attack.
In the fight BickneIl was chief sufferer,
and Father Basils only wounds and bruises
were from the fists and nails of women
| sistance. Before Bicknell could recover
from the blow. which closed one eye and
Knocked him, half-dazed, upon the steam
| radiator, Miss Maude PARCELS seized the
uplifted arm of the angry priest. While
she was struggling with him. Bicknell re-
| covered himself and assisted In throwing
| the clergyman. While they held him in
this position Miss Zeda Seeboek. one of
BicknelIs assistants, started beating a
tattoo on his face.
| Other employees OF the Bureau of Char
tiles 5curried in search OF policemen. When
the Rev Hastings III. Hart, president OF the
Illinois Home and Aid Society. and Samuel
across the hall, John Watson, adopted son
OF Father Basil, had taken hand in the
| night and was humping Bicknell in the
. Crosby grabbed young Watson and the
Rev Mr.. Hart separated Superintendent
| ufes the police arrived and Father Basil
was taken TO Harrison-street police sta
| tion In a patrol wagon.
Before visiting the offices OF the Bureau
OF Charities Father Basil stopped in the
offices OF the Visitation and Aid Society,
also on the sixth floor of the Unity build
ing. 10 see Justice I. d. Hurley. president
~
what is the fine for assault and bat
tery?" was his abrupt question.
why. from S to $780," replied Justice
ssWeli, / guess it's worth while Good
bye" was tie response.
WHIT BICKNELL SAYS.
Bicknell says he has made no specific
charges against Father Basil. bu, that un-
I'll his past record is explained the Bureau
Of Charities cannot recommend ST. Johns
! School or its management
1 The bureau claims to have information
that Father Basil formerly was a priest OF
the English Church, that his real name is
George ~. Reader, that he formerly had
charge OF boys school within the juris-
dIction OF the Bishop of Upper footing in
England, that complaints OF Improper con-
duct were made against Reader, or Basil
10 the bishop. and that the latter gave him
his choice between standing trial or leaving
the church.
IL was when invitations were issued &C
the last entertainment for the benefit of the
home. and the names OF thirty prominent
women appeared as patronesses, that di-
rectors OF the Women's and Chidren's Pro-
tective Association resolved to call the at
tention OF the patronesses TO the situation
At directors meeting Miss Maude Par.
cells WIS instructed 10 write all advising
them 10 see the officers OF the bureau before
permitting further use of their names
Thu response was immediate. All the
women whose attention was called TO the
attitude or the bureau agree In their views
concerning Basil. One even has assured of.
ffcials of the bureau that she has ZOO In
bank at Basifs disposal whenever he de-
sires TO proceed against the bureau fol
libel Others hold the opposite opinion and
encourage the investigation
Bicknell Is well known all over Indiana
through his work as the head OF the State
Board OF Charities. and his friends in thi:
State have followed his career in Chicago
where he has been very successful, With
interest. A few months ago. when warder
A T. Hert. of the Indiana ReformatOry
resigned. there was some talk OF Bicknel
being chosen - his successor, and IL wa.
understood at the time that the board OF
managers had offered him the position, bu
that he declined. Bieknell, together Will
his brother, C. + Bicknell and A. T. Hert
Owns the Fore Wayrs News.