The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-12-16
A Fatal FIGHT
Religious Fanatics Preclpltats a
Row In Kansas City.
one HUNDRED SHOTS

Fired in Riot in Which Party of
Fanatics, Let by "Adam God" and
Several Policemen Engage, Re-
sulting in Three Deaths and Prob.
ably Four Fatal Injuries.
Kansas City, Mo-, Dec. Sin the
shadow of the City Hall a riot in
which religious fanatics and police
men were participants, and during
which a hundred shots were fred
this afternoon resulted in the death
Of Policeman A. o. Dalbow, probable
fatal injuries to four and slight in
juries to two other persons.
Those probably fatally injured r
John Sharp, known as Adam God"
as the preacher; Michael Mullane,
a patrolman; Lola Pratt, 13 years
old, and Patrick Clark. a poNce SER
geant. Harry E. Siege, a policeman,
and George M. Holt, a probation Of
acer, were also hurt. The trouble
occurred while the streets were
crowded. While the fight was In
progress the participants ~traveTsed
an entire block.
Probation Officer Holt, of the Ju-
venile Court, today went to Fifth and
Main streets, to Investigate a case
of alleged abduction. Near that
corner he met John Sharp, known
as Adam God" who was exhortfng
a crowd. With Sharp were A. j.
Seller, and a woman and five chill
dren, ranging in age from 3 to IA
years. Holt did not like the man
ner in which the woman attempted
to get money contributions from the
crowd, and he decided that she and
her male companions were not proper
persons to have custody Of young
children.
The woman announced that she
and adam God" would conduct
services at Poor Mans Mission to-
night, %whereupon she and her COM
panions started toward the mission.
Officer Holt then inquired as to the
identity Of the children. The woman
Immediately assumed an attitude OF
resentment and replied that the Of
fcer had better attend to his own
business"
Adam God" who wears a long,
white beard and hair, threatened the
officer. Officer Holt was not armed,
but stood his ground until Adam
God" struck him a heavy blow be-
hind the a with a pistol, making
al ugly wound. Holt then started
for the police station for assistance.
AS Holt moved away the preacher
tried to shoot him, but the cart
ridges failed to explode.
Officer Holt rushed into the police
station and announced that a band
of religious fanatics, armed to thu
teeth, were at the threshold Of the
station, and he warned the officers
to prepare for trouble. The sergean.
in charge ordered Patrolmen Charles
Dalbow and Harry E. Siege to arrest
Sharp and his followers. Sharp and
his companions were within fifty
yards of the police station when
the officers stepped into the street
The Sharpites gave evidence Of fren
zy and, with profane abuse, they
served notice OF all that they would
preach right under the eaves of the
police station and the police cannot
prevent u.s."
The officers did not, however, ex-
pect serious trouble and were not
prepared for the volley Of bullets
which met them after they appeared
on the Gene. Dalbow vas killed
instantly and a bullet passe!
through Stege's arm. Other officers
hearing the firing, rushed into the
street and a general fight ensued
The officers r~efraiped from sh rot
ing, for fear Of endangering the
lives of innocent people.
: Lieutenant Clark, who had CON
into the street unarmed, was shnt
in the eye, and Patrolman Mullane
was shot in the back as he hurried
into the police station for reinforce
ments.
In the meantime a riot call
brought policemen from all direc-
tions. Thoroughly aroused, the Of
ficers closed in on Sharp and his fol-
lowers, firing as they went. When
the firing ceased Adam God" lay
fatally shot through the head and
body.
1t was later learned that Sharp"
male companions vas Louis Pratt.
father of the five children. Pratt
was arrested uninjured. The woman
and the children fed to a house.
boat, in which they lived on the
Missouri river. Fifty policemen fol-
lowed them, and found the woman
had barricaded herself in the house
boat. Standing on the boat with a
shotgun, she shouted to the officers:
Come on, you fends." The boat
was only a few feet from the bank
of the river and several officers
dashed toward it. The woman
dropped her weapon, and Selling two
of the children sprang into a boat