Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-12-12
STREET BATTLE
WITH FANATICS
RHlIgIOusGTankS EIChang0ShOtS
With Kansas City Police.
TWO DEAD And THREE DYING

TrOuble Started whsu Exhortsr Known
a. Adam Ged" Struck Policeman
With a Revolver-VoIley Of Pistol
Shots Greeted ofHeers 80 They Ap-
Pesred on seens-Lssder Ct Fanat
les Shot Down.
Kansas City. No. Dec. 9.-In the
shadow Of the city hall a riot. in which
religious fanatics and policemen were
participants and during which a hun
ored shots were hred, resulted IN the
death OF Policeman A. o. Dalbow. and
Lola Pratt. thirteen year old; probably
fatal injuries 10 three persons and
slight injuries 20 two other persons.
Those probably fatally injured are.
John Sharp known as Adam God. a
street preacher; Michael Mullane.
patrclman, and Patrick Clark a police
sergeant Harry E. Stage. = police
man. and George N. Holt a probation
Officer. were also hurt
Probation Omcer Holt went to Firth
and Main streets TO investigate a case
OF alleged abduction. Near that cor
ner be mot John Sharp. known as
Adam God. who was exhorting a
crowd. VITA Sharp were A. J. Seller.
q woman and FIVE children ranging ia
age from three TO fourteen years. Holt
did not like the manner in which the
woman attempted to get money con
tribuuons from the crowd. and be de
eided that she and her male compan-
ions were not proper persons 70 have
the custody OF young children
Omcer Holt inquired ar % the iden-
tty OF the children. The woman i'm
mediately assumed an attitude OF re-
sentiment and replied that the oficor
had better attend 20 his own bust
ness"
The oHcer Persevered in his in
Quirios. and Adam Cod" who wears
long white beard and hair. threatened
the officer with physical violence. on
Ger Holt was not armed. but stood his
ground until Adam God" struck him
a heavy blow behind the ear with
pistol making an ugly wound. Holt
then started for the police station for
assistance. AS Holt moved away the
preacher tried 90 shoot him, but the
cartridge failed TO explode
Oficer Holt rushed into the police
station for rid. The police sergeant in
charge ordered Patrolmen a o.
Dalbow and HRrr~ f. Siege to arrest
Sharp and his followers.
Sharp and his companions were
within nifty yards Of the police station
when the officers stepped into the
street The Shsrpites gave evidence
~ frenzy. and with profane abuse they
served notice on all that they would
preach right under the caves OF the
police station and the police cannot
prevent us" The of1cers did not. how
ever, expect serious trouble and were
not prepared for the volley Of bullets
which met them almost Immediately
after they appeared on the scene. Dal-
bow was killed instantly and a bullet
passed through Stege's arm. other Of
fcers. hearing the firing, rushed into
the street and a general fight ensued.
TES officers refr2ined from shooting
for fear OF endangering the lives OF
innocent persons. Sergeant Clark. who
had come into the street unarmed. was
shot In the eye, and Patrolman Null
lane was shot IN the back as be bur
ried into the police station for rein
forcements.
In the meantime a riot call brought
policemen from all directions. Thor
oughly aroused. the officers closed in
on Sharp and his followers. firing "a
they went. When the firing ceased
Adam God" lay fatally wounded. shot
through the head and body.