Arizona republican., 1911-01-12

D|sORDERLY IS CHARGE
Catholics Would Have Els
corted Him Out of Phoe-
nix Had Not Officers APP
peared on Stage and Put
Him Under Arrest.

Defying the police force of Phoenix
and Drawing the wrath of hundred
angry citizens who were determined to
torcibly eject him from the city should
he make one derogatory remark about
the churches to which they belonged or
| the women Of those churches, "Evange-
list" L. J. King, Luther of Canada"
started to preach at the Third Avenue
theater last night Before he had said
ten words Officer John Long had
stepped upon the stage and placed him
under arrest.
The technical charge placed against
King at the police station was disor-
derby conduct. The ground upon which
he was arrested was that he was us
ing as puohc meeting place a thea
ter upon which no license had been
] paid. Many who were in the audience
last night are of the opinion that by
arresting the preacher the police saved
HIN from SC. ious bodily injury
Since King began. as it is alleged.
attacking the character of the church
women of Phoenix. particularly the
women Of the Catholic church. the
mayor. city attorney and chief Of po-
lice have been looking around for some
means to suppress him. While he
could not be arrested. under the laws of
this territory. upon a charge of GRIMM
al libel, there was no doubt in their
minds that King was overstepping the
grounds of propriety. Numerous COM
plants were being made by Catholics
and members OF the other Phoenix
churches.
Last Monday Marshal Moore warned
King that he had better leave the city
or he would get into trouble with the
citizens. King stood pat and declared
that he would not go. 1t was thought
that night that he changed his mind
and left for Prescott. Several persons
stated that they saw him at the depot
and they were under the impression
that he left on the $50 train. but he
did not go. In fact he conducted a
service that every evening. though only
few persons heard him.
Several conferences were held by
Mayor Christy. Marshal Moore and
| City Attorney Prescott. Yesterday they
|
Avenue theater had expired That
gave them an opening. Luis Killeen.
who manages the Third Avenue for j.
]. Hardwick. a nonresident owner,
was told of the expired license Mr..
Killeen is a member of the Catholic
church and as strong as anyone in his
objections to the statements made by
| King. Instead of applying for anoth-
er license he Immediately told King
that his lease had been terminated.
King. however. insisted that the thea
ter was his for the term of the lease
and told Mr. Killeen that he would
continue to preach at the Third Ave-
nue..
| Marshal Moore detailed Captain
John Connors. Policeman Long and Pc
liceman Bradley to be at the theater
last evening and see that King did not
hold meeting. Half an hour or more
before the time for the evening meet
ing to begin. Captain Connors called
King off to one side and told him that
IL he attempted to preach he would
be Immediately arrested. The evange-
list was defiant. He would show the
police that they could not prevent him
lITOU preaching lIle worn OI Gou WItn
and where he pleased.
The auditorium was well filled at
1890. Earnest. determined men arrived
by twos. threes and tours. The audi
ence was composed mainly of Catholics.
for the men of that church had de-
cided that the time had come to show
King that his presence was no longer
desired
Bible in hand. Evangelist King
stepped from the wings upon the stage
and began to announce the text of the
Evenings discourse. Officer Long. who
was sitting in one of the front rows.
rose quietly, climbed over the foot
lights and went to Kings side In low
tones, so that only those who were
nearest heard him. Long told King that
he was under arrest and ordered him
to accompany him to the city jail.
King looked a little startled but did
not lose his nerve. He courteOusly
asked permission to put on his rubbers.
that his patent leather shoes might not
DE injured by the mud Of the streets.
Long gave the required permission and
they retired from the view of the sur
Iprised audience, which was now in a
turmoil.
) After King had pulled on his rubbers
he asked permission to speak to the
congregation. Long told him that he
! could merely state that he had been
placed under arrest but nothing more