Putnam patriot., 1914-08-21
CONGREGATION
 IN COURT
East Killingly Baptist Church I|is-
 ruption
No Proceedings Had as Petition Was
 Withdrawn

time it is physically possible for him to do so. The faction of his congrega- tion that has been trying to get him out withdrew their petition for tenn porary injunction. They may yet ap- ply for permanent injunction but as this will have to be done at the regu- lar term of court in September, no lie. gal obstacles can be imposed in the meantime. The time for the hearing on the petition for a temporary in- junction to restrain the reverend gen tleman from entering the church was set for Friday morning al the superior court room in Putnam. Judge Shum. way was on hand as were also nearly hundred of the congregation of the East Kiltingly church, women of the flock predominating.
 A conference was held to see if some solution of the difficulty or some sort of compromise could not be affected. In the meantime the minister's SUD- porters occupied spectators seats in the main court room while the oppos- ing faction, who want to get the min- ister out, were in the jury room. Judge Snumway left for his home in Daniel- son stating that he would return at , o'clock.
 It was nearly noon when the Rev. MT. Barrett emerged from the state at torney's room where the conference was held. He went up to one of his supporters and was heard to say: "There will be no compromise, we will fight. Either we will win or they will winw From the minister's side it ap- peared that when the judge returned at ? o'clock hearing would be held. It appeared to the few disinterested spectators present that they were go- ing to have an opportunity to hear the inside of the difficulty aired from both points of view. But the hearing did not materalize, just why, some of the people could not exactly understand but the fact was, the petitioners for a temporary injunction withdrew their petition. This of course left nothing for Judge Shumway to do. The peti- tioners of course may bring ia petition at the regular term of court in Septem- Der for permanent injunction.
 The East killingly church has been gaining unwelcome notoriety for the past eight or ten weeks. The first ink ling outsiders had of the troubled waters was when a notice appeared upon the church setting forth that no service would be held the following Sunday. This notice was speedily torn down and services were held. It then became known that the congrega- tion were in disruption on the ques- tion as to whether the minister should go or stay. He had six months more time to serve according to his contract. A delegation waited upon him and of fered him three months salary to waive his rights under the agreement. The money was thrown back at them and strewn about on the parsonage piazza. A subsequent offer of the made but this was spurned. Friends of the minister say that these offers were made without authority. After the notices had been posted to no effect the church doors were chained and padlocked but these were removed in time for the regular church service. And so the breach has been widening until physical means having failed the faction that wanted the minister out side the walls of the church took pre- liminary legal steps ito accomplish structions to procure a temporary in- junction forbidding MT. Barrett from going into the building.
 According to a supporter of the min ister he has been shamefully used al- most from the first of his coming to East Killingly. It seems that the La dies Guild connected with the church had saved fund of some two or three hundred dollars. This money was in the bank. There was a debt on the church. The minister said why not take the money from the bank and pay it toward the church debt. This start ed the trouble, according to this man, who was on the minister's side. Two or three women became very indig- nant to think of their :savings being used so. Others were talked to and agreed with them and their husbands fell in line. They began to threaten to oppose the minister and make it un- pleasant for him. Then other things were charged against him, among which was being inefficient and un- able to hold the position. Other mem bers of the congregation took sides with the minister and so the disrup- tion grew to considerable proportions. According to the minister's supporter his side greatly outnumbered the other and the village as whole were in fa- yor of MT. Barrett.
 MT. Barrett Is an Englishman, short Of stature, rugged of build, with small but piercing blue eyes, and square jaw that gives the appearance that he Is well able to look out for himself.