Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-12-12
STREET BATTLE
WITH FANATICS
Religious Cranks sExChangeShOts
With Kansas City Police.
TWO DEAD AND THREE DYING

Trouble Started When Exhorter Known
as Adam God" Struck Policeman
With a Revolver-volley Of Pistol
Shots Greeted officers as They Ap-
peared on scene--Leader Of Fanat-
les Shot Down.
In the shadow Of the Kansas City.
Mo-. city hall riot occurred. in which
religious fanatics and policemen were
participants and during which hun
dred shots were fired, resulted In the
death OF Policeman A. o, Dalbow. and
Lola Pratt. thirteen year old; probably
fatal injuries to three persons and
slight injuries to two other persons.
Those probably fatally injured are:
John Sharp. known as Adam God. o
street preacher; Michael Mullane.
patrolman. and Patrick Clark a police
sergeant Harry l.. Stage. a police
man, and George NJ Holt. a probation
officer. were also hurt.
Probation Oficer Holt went to Fifth
and Main streets to investigate case
OF alleged abduction. Near that cor
ner he met John Sharp. known as
Adam God. who was exhorting
crowd With Sharp were A. ]. Seller.
a woman and Ave children ranging in
age from three to fourteen years. Holt
did not like the manner in which the
woman attempted to get money con
rtb 40 "a
cided that she and her male compan-
ions were not proper persons to have
the custody of young children.
Officer Holt inquired as to the iden-
tity OF the children. The woman i'm
mediately assumed an attitude of re-
sentiment and replied that the officer
had better attend to his own busi-
ness"
The officer persevered in his In
quiries. and Adam God" who wears
long white beard and hair. threatened
the officer with physical violence. Offi-
Ger Holt was not armed. but stood his
ground until Adam God" struck him
heavy blow behind the ear with a
pistol. making an ugly wound. Holt
assistance As Holt moved away the
preacher tried to shoot him. but the
cartridge failed to explode.
officer Holt rushed into the police
station for aid. The police sergeant in
charge ordered Patrolmen A. o.
Dalbow and Harry z. Siege to arrest
Sharp and his followers.
l. asnta
within fifty yards of the police station
when the officers stepped into the
street The Sharpites gave evidence
Of 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 officers 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
ficers. hearing the firing. rushed into
the street and general fight ensued.
The officers refrained from shooting
for fear OF cndangering the lives G..
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 he hur-
ried into the police station for rein
forcements.
In the meantime riot call brought
policemen from all directions. The.
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.