Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-26
HAS MADE HOME THERE
SINCE DEATH OF WIFE
Younger Generation Has Disposed Him
and Church 10 Divided a. to Whether
Minister Shall Be Compelled TO Move
Case Nay Go to Courts For Final
Decision.
Decision.

church. South Chicago, his home for
the last eight years.
This is the dictum Of junior officers
and many younger members of the
parish. They hold the old pastor is in
the way and that. under existing cir
cumstances, activities Of the church
can not go forward as they should.
The veteran preacher wishes to live
in the top of the tower until he dies.
Older members of the church have
rallied about him and declare he shall
not be disturbed until death or the SUI
preme court of Illinois GUST him.
The Rev. Mr.. Bird would rather die
than be forced to quit the top OF the
edifice in which he has ministered to
the spiritual wants of the people in the
Calumet region for three decades.
1T seems it would be a-a-tragedy
if 1 had TO 60 he said Il think my
hear, would break"
The situation confronting the mem
bers of this church. situated at Ontario
avenue and Ninety-second street, is
said to be without parallel in the his
tory Of religious interests in Chicago.
Mr.. Bird became pastor when there
We're only five members. He has had
no other church. The membership now
is $50. During the last year there have
been several attempts to get a new
pastor. None OF the candidates was
willing TO remain with the old preacher
domiciied in the church tower. The
Rev. George E. Wood, who recently oc
cupied the pulpit, went to Red Oak
Iowa a week ago
Last week the council Of the Con-
gregational churches Of Chicago at
meeting in the Grand Pacific hotel dis
solved pastoral relations at the South
Chicago church and made Mr.. Bird
pastor emeritus. cutting off his salary.
At this council meeting it was sug-
gested TO the aged minister that he
move out Of thee 11urch tower.
Tower Built For Pastor.
Themain body Of the church was
erected twenty-five years ago. Eight
years ago a square church tower sew
enty feet high was built. This tower
was a memorial to the wife Of the pas
tor. Mrs. Carrie Hall Bird, who died
shortly before the cornerstone was laid.
Into the building OF this tower Mr. Bird
put $500. Members OF the church
contributed $500. Above the entrance
are Your floors.
1t was constructed with the iden that
It should be occupied by the pastor.
The room at the top Is the library and
study. Windows face all points Of the
compass. On the floor below this the
kitchen. and bathroom Below this is
the bedroom. and still another floor be-
low is the reception room and par
Tor. 4 winding fight OF stairs leads to
the top Of the tower There are seven
ty-seven steps. Mr. Bird took a pencil
and figured that since he had moved
into the tower-alloWing for one wears
absence in Europe-he had taken q
ss0.o34 steps going to and from his
study
II climb the stairway seven times
day." he said.
Mementes Of Dead wife.
ne tower now is treasure house
OF the mementos which might serve the
minister as a reminder Of his beloved
wife. He has freecoed on the walls at
the entrance words expressive OF his
love and his belief that the tower would
remain perpetual shrine where he and
members Of the church who shared
with him this affection could wor-
ship. a bronze tablet bears the In
scription:
To Mrs. Carrie Hall Bird. who gave
the best eighteen years OF her life to
work for the Calumet
region. on the spot where most OF her
time was spent and in connection with
the church which she devotedly loved.
there is erected by her husband.
church members. and loving friends as
n monument ever pointing all lives
heavenward and for the living use OF
this church and its resident workers
this Memorial Tower
At present the Rev. Mr. Bird has no
income. He prepares his own break
fast In the tower kitchen Members
OF his church see that he il invited to
their homes for lunch and dinner. II
occasionally meal Is missed, nobody
knows about 1t.
ersfsrs osath TO Eviction.
Mr. Bird was In his study at the top
OF the church tower when reporter
called upon him. In the study are two
bookcases well filled In one corne r
stands a small cabinet organ which
Mrs. Bird used.
Mr.. Bird said the Conversational
council and the younger members OF the
church had asked him to leave the
tower.
II can not 60" he said simply. II
would rather die today. think, than
be forced to leave my home. You see
how It IL. don't you? You must see
how it Is! This tower was erected As
a memorial to my wife moved in
shortly after her death. Everything she
loved and I loved together r. here.
am close to the sky here. love 1t 50!
20. couldn't 30 away. You see. no
one who understands could ask me to
leave. Since I have been here I have
felt that my wife was not-not 20 far
away. am happier here than any
place else.
Wstehss caiur,st Region Grow.
II look out all over the city from
these Windows have watched the
sreat Industrial plants 20 up. I know
eoch tower and stack. Most Of the
birds in the Calumet region know me.
Do you know, there aren't ~ many
robins ~ there were Ave years ago.
They don't come 20 my window any
more.
"Au the psopls who have loved me
these thirty pears like to think I an
nm hAe> SakA - ~afn9. ovAv 49,