The San Francisco call., 1909-03-06
EVANGELIST IN
DANGER OF MOB
Police Required to Escort NJ. B.
Williams From Santa
Cruz Meeting
Trouble Follows DenunciatiOn
of Certain Element and
Its Methods
TSpeoial Dispatch 10 The Cali

lSpecIci Dtspdich 10 he OouI
SANTA CRUZ. March 5.-Evangelist
n B. Williams. OF nation wide fame for
20 years. conducting evangeIistic meet
ings in this city under the auspices Of
il evangelist churches. is stirring
things from center to circumference in
religious, social and political circles.
He barely escaped mob violence to-
day and tonight at The hands of an in
furiated element whose ire he had
aroused by his nightly 6iscourses. To-
night he laid bare evidence of law vio-
laIions which he was challenged 10
produce and long before S o'clock Ar
mory hall was packed with 5000 per
sons.
When. few nights ago. Rev. Mr..
Williams touched on the saloon ques-
ton. he charged that the old ordinance
was never fully enforced and asked
what assurance there was that the pro-
posed new high license ordinance
would be any better enforced. He
charged neglect OF duty on the part OF
officials The Evening News came 10
the assistance of the city officials ad-
ministering severe roasts and chal-
longing Williams 10 produce evidence.
The whole ministry. likewise was held
responsible by the evangelist, who took
up the gauntlet thrown down by the
News
CERTAIN ELEMENTS AROUSED
The upshot of the whole matter is
that certain elements have become in
censed and last nights discourse on
the dance and theater by Evangelist
Williams stirred up more anger.
A " Lukes. business agent OF the
local building and trades council tried
today to cause Williams arrest on the
ground OF using indecent language in
q mixed audience. Lukes endeavored
20 secure stenographic report Of the
address from some young women Of a
business college who were present but
when they learned his intent the young
women turned him down.
A mob Of over G hundred men and
boys assembled on the streets after
noon today threatening violence TO the
evangelist. and there was talk OF tar
and feathers At the meeting in the
armory tonight FIVE policemen and
other officers were present TO preserve
order A number Of times the meeting
was disturbed 81 the tumult caused
by men and boys IN the rear OF the
hail. who Kissed and shouted, while
from the outside missiles were thrown
against the building.
I'm not going 10 let any paper COW
me and break up these meetings. said
Williams tonight as he opened with We
hemence upon the assafling paper and
its editor
NOT SISSY NOR COWARD
IF the editor thinks I am q sissy
or a coward he's very much mistaken"
There was vigorous applause indi-
eating that Williams had his audience
with him. Then he burst forth with an
unmerciful censure OF the saloon busi-
ness and began showing his evidence
Of violations OF law. as called for in a
letter from Mayor Palmer and City At
torney Osborn
IF there are any city officials here
I should like 10 have them take seats
on the platform" said Rev. Mr.. VIII
liams. Now for proof. You thought 1
did not have any. It's little out Of
my business 10 do detective service,
but IT Is not the first time"
Williams then read letters and affi-
davits supporting his contentious Of
gambling. liquor sold to minors. drunk
ards and young women, Withholding
names and places This i1censed the
saloon sympathizers in the audience,
who called aloud for names.
"Ah. no; you are not the jury" said
Williams. 7 don't propose TO read to
"A vast audience like this names TO be
taken in dishonor. Here's the evil
dence. and they're all signed. and
proper officials can have II II they
want it."
Several times during the reading
boots Misses and calls 10 the minister
for names nearly broke Up the meet
ing IN confusion. Outside d large mob
awaited the outcoming Of the evangel-
ist for half Al hour. T. got out that q
box Of eggs was awaiting him. a strong
body Of men with police escorted VIII
liams TO safety. but many threats are
alleged 10 have been made.
As long as I live under the Stars and
Stripes III fear no violence" said WI
liams. FOR II the police can not protect
me I'll call on Governor Gillett. and
as long as I have breath I'll not cease
10 speak the whole truth, and no one
can shut my mouth"