Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-08
FIGHTS IN CHURCHES
LIVELY PHYSICAL ENCOUNTERS
IN PHILADELPHIA YESTERDAY.

PHILADELPHIA, April "a genuine
battle, participated in. it is alleged, by
the rector, Rev. E. G. Knight, vestry men
| and members Of the congregation, was
the after-climax of morning service at
| Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal Church,
Marlborough street and Girard avenue,
yesterday morning. The rector was much
shaken up as the result Of a personal
encounter with George Shegog, the leader
Of the faction actively opposed to him.
Several of the participants counted
bruised heads, numerous decorations and
badly torn clothing as souvenirs The
congregation had participated in COM
munion only a few minutes before the
fight.
Emmanuel Church has been faction
torn FOR some time. and the rector is UNI
der $1,000 bail upon the technical charge
of having embeZZled last years Easter
collection. Last Monday two sets of YES
trymen were chosen at the election-one
favorable to the rector and the other to
his opponents. Wednesday night each
of the vestries named accounting war
den to take charge of the church money.
Both financial officers of the church had
announced their intention Of passing the
collection plates yesterday. and many
members of the congregation attended in
the expectation Of witnessing lively ses
sion.
Bfore the service Mr. Knight sent
note to George Shegog. the anti-Knight
accounting warden. stating that he had
offering in the church. Shegog stated
that to prevent trouble he would permit
the choir boys to gather the money.
Immediately after the occasional the
followed the supplied choir out of the
chancel. AS he left the auditorium She
cog arose in a rear pew and went down
stairs to the vestry rooms Close at his
rod Alice ShePnP his
eighteen-year-old daughter, and Harry,
his seventeen-year-old son., In the yes
try room Shegog stepped forward to
take the collection, and the next instant
he and ]. w. Watkins who had been
elected accounting warden by the rector's
faction, were locked in close embrace.
rolled over and over the small vestry
room, pummeling each other. A general
mix-up followed. At least four other
members who had followed could be seen
struggling on top of the two main con-
testants, and fisticuffs were in order Out
side of the vestry rooms the congregation
gathered. Some of the women wept. Then
the rector got into the fray.
Shegog declares the minister attacked
him, and the rector's adherents contend
that Shegog was the assailant The men
fought. However, the rector having the
advantage of numbers, forced Shegog and
his crowd out of the room.
During the rumpus most OF the collec-
ton had been scattered about the room.
but the rector iuIlSiSHtS ISSoNSiSu OH
of 1t.
Trustee Uses Fist in Church.
Rival factions in the Union Presbyterian
Church, at Goth street and Woodland ave-
nue. came to blows before the scandalzed
congregation at yesterday mornings serv-
ices. David Watson. a member of one of
the two contending boards of trustees,
struck John Jackson. an usher, while the
opnosing factions were attempting to pass
the collection plates.
The church was crowded, in expectation
of a reference by the pastor, the Rev. Alex
ander Wadden, In his sermon to the battle
between the factions to obtain possession
of the church keys and books. Mr.. Wad-
dell however who has'insisted that Se was
neutral, avoided any mention of the dis
cord. and in the scene that followed the
sermon held a hymnal before his eyes to
escape the shock he might have received.
Three of the trustees elected in March by
mart of the congregation to oppose those
elected in January arose as usual to pass
the collection baskets They were George
W. Grassland, Edward Graham and David
Watson At the same time four young men
who are members of the church ushers'
association. and who belong to the anti
pastor faction, also started to take up the
collection.
AS John Jackson, an usher, met Mr..
Watson in the aisle he attempted to push
by him, but Mr. Watson angrily turned
and struck him on the head. Jackson was
not hurt, and, instantly recovering, went on
with the collection.
Both factions passed the baskets and
contributions were made according to the
factional preferences Of the congregation.
Again at the evening service both factions
passed the baskets, but there was no phys-
cal clash Mr.. Waddell refused to. discuss
the situation, and declared that he intended
to remain neutral.
Several of the antf-pastor trustees said
that his family and intimate friends wanted
to pay his salary from a special fund raised
for church repairs, which was objected to
by the rest of the congregation.
board of trustees elected by the pastors
friends presented financial report at yes
terday mornings service. The report-said
to be the first heard In two years-is to the
effect that & certain amount had been paid
the pastor account for his salary from
the collections of last month.
Both factions in the church say they are
willing to leave it to the court to decide
AZ