The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-22
Created Too Much Distur-
bance in Wesleyan Meth
odist Church.
CONGREGATION HAS BEEN SPLIT
Objection is to Changing
Mission Into a
Church.
Ninc Members Arrested on ATidavits
of Pastor. Rev. MltchclI--WingO
Family Arrested When They Sing
Song of Their own.

That the running of n church where
part OF the congregation is white
and a part black, whore a part favors
the mission form of worship and n
part favors the formation of a church
is a difficult proposition was evidenced
Saturday and Sunday when Rev. Le-
Roy Mitchell, 1347 North state street.
pastor of the newly formed Wesleyan
Methodist church on North State
street, filed affidavits against nine
members of the congregation, in
which he declares they are guilty OF
disturbing his religious services.
Saturday afternoon, Rov. Mitchell
appeared at the office of Justice Chas.
Haberman and signed affidavits for
the arrest of four members of the
Wingo family, colored, of North State
street for disturbing his services last
Tuesday night. They are Mr.. and
Mrs. Presley Wingo and their two
sons. Presley. Jr.. and Perry. The
alleged disturbers were later arrested
by Constable Ullom and brought be-
fore the Justice. They pleaded not
guilty to the charge and were re-
leased after furnishing bonds Of 500
each. Their hearing was set for next
Wednesday morning.
After pondering over The discOn-
tent and IN feeling which existed
within the walls of his place OF wor-
ship. Rev. Mitchell decided that there
were other members of his congre-
cation who were guilty OF creating
disturbance by interrupting the
meetings and stralghtway went to the
Justice of the peace and filed more
alfidavits, late Sunday afternoon. The
andavits bore the names of Mrs.
Lizzie Cranmer. daughter of Presley
Wingo, Sr.. North State street:
Adolphus Kicks. colored. North state
street; Mrs Matte Welsh, white. of
Sugar street; Mrs. Della Fralich,
white. of Bryant street and Mrs.
Goldle Black, white, of North State
street.
The second lot of alleged dlsturbers
were arrested, pleaded not guilty to
the charge and were placed under
bonds of $50 each. The bonds were
furnished and the. prisoners released.
Their hearing was also set for We'd
nesday.
Sunday afternoon, Rev. Mitchell
learned that number of dissenting
members of his congregation broke
into the church and held meeting
the nature of which he was unable
to ascertain. Worried because Of the
continual opposition to the church
principles on the part OF the persons
he had filed affidavits against, the
pastor called police headquarters and
asked that an officer attend the even
ing services TO prevent further out
brks.
aptain Bond detailed officer Sago
to protect the pastor and mis- flock
in event of any vehement demonstra-
tions of the contempt with which tho
alleged disturbers regarded the meet
lngs But the presence of the Officer
had no terror for the opposing fac
ton.
Rev. Mitchell had offered a few re-.
marks, the congregation had sung I
sing and the pastor was about TO an
nounce his text when Presley Wngo.
Sr., and his daughters, Garry ana Mrs
Lizzie Cranmer, broke in and sang
a song Of their own choosing, evil
IDENTIFY dissatisfied with the pastors
selection. Rev. Mitchell promptly or
dered the trio arrested They we're
taken into custody by the officer and
escorted TO police headquarters. After
F, promising to return this morning, the
colored people pere released without
bond. Rev Mitchell called at Mayor
Walters office this morning and sign
ed affidavts, charging them with dis.
turbing a religious gathering.
According to Rev. Mitchell, trou-
, be has been brewing within the
church since last November but has
grown more intense since January
16. At that time, the organization
OF the church was effected, and the
members, who are under arrest, Bit
terly opposed the change. The or
ganization previous to this had been
"A mission, conducted under the
auspices OF the Ohio conference OF
: the Wesleyan Methodist church, with
Rev. Mitchell as the leader.
1t seems that the opposing factiou
is not inclined to support the confer
ence, yet, according to Rev, Mitchell
they desire that the conference assist
in supporting the church. This, TO.
gether with their opposition 10 thG
, change from a mission TO a church
is said TO be the. cause of the dissen'
tion. The building in which the ser
vices are held is owned by the OhiC
J conference.
1--WE haven't any prejudices agains
the colored people belonging to th'
church. In fact we love their soul
the same as the souls OF the whites,
| Rev. Mitchell stated this morning
Neither do we hold any malice to-
ward the other members but the,
must live up to the disciplinary rulei
OF the church. The conference grant
ed us the privilege Of holding a mis-
sion in the building until It saw II
TO turn 1t into church The ohang'
was advised by l.. l.. Folger OF Ma
ringo, Ohio, president OF the confer
ence.
Il don't approve Of bringing pres
sure of this kind on the members,
the pastor continued, referring to III
arrests which had been made, "bu
IL Is the only way ] see OF establish
ing and maintaining order