Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-27
PASTOR SLUGGED
ON MARRIAGE CALL
Rev D. E. Cleveland Is Beaten
Up at Paxton Hotel When
He Goes to Officiate
at Wedding.

''Ilh marriage ceremony late Fri
DAY afternoon, Rev. Denton E. Cleve
land pastor of the Central Park Con-
ercgatlonal church, was threatened
ana then slugged and choked in an
alleged blackmail plot.
lie was found unconscious in a
locked bathroom on the fourth floor
Il the hotel by H. S. Haffner,
Scoutmaster of Troop No. II.
who had followed Cleveland to the
hotel. Mr.. Cleveland was not seri-
ously hurt. His eye was blackened
and he received several face abra-
sions.
Friday afternoon shortly after 4:30
MIR. Clevland received a phone call
from a man who asked him to hurry
to the Paxton hotel to officiate at his
marriage ceremony.
Receives Hurry Call.
We can't come to your home, be-
cause we will leave for Blair in a
few hours" the man said.
Mr.. Cleveland said he did not want
to make the trip down, but when the
man insisted and promised him SIS
tor the ceremony he decided to come.
Mr.. Cleveland invited Mr.. Haffner,
who was calling at the home, to ac-
company him.
Mr.. Cleveland was rather sus-
plclous and laughingly told me that
he didn't know what he might run
INTO" said Mr.. Hatfner.
i didn't go down with Mr.. Cleve-
land, but followed in about fifteen
minutes. | met him in the lobby
shortly before 6 o'clock"
Mr.. Cleveland said he called at the
room where the Mr.. Blackwell was
supposed to be. He did not locate
his party, he said, but found a Mr..
Blackwell registered who did not hap.
pen to be the man he was looking for.
Mr.. Cleveland said he then went to
the first floor, where he talked a few
minutes to Mr.. Haffner.
Il told him | would try once more
and went up to the third floor.
Woman in the Case.
"ln the hallway | met man who
! asked if he knew of anyone who had
asked for preacher.
Yes, he replied.
"'They are waiting for you on the
floor above.
Il had gone to the farther end of
.he hall when young woman,
Stylishly dressed, accosted me and
threw her arms around my neck.
Il tried to shake her off. Just then
Two men came upon the scene.
Nov I've got the goods on you,
he heavy set one said.
The two men told me ! would
either have to pay $500 or they would
ruin my reputation and drive me
from my church.
DO you think I am a fool I an
swered. I told them | would pay
them nothing. Il
I've got man downstairs who
will be up here any minute, l told
them. .
"Ill settle with him. the heavy
man said."' The other man and
woman lett.
Il told him l wouli not stand for
blackmail. He grabbed hold of me
and chokei me. Something hit me
over the eye. can't remember any
thing else"
Is Found Unconscious.
Before going to the third floor Mr..
Cleveland had told Haffner in
laughing way that if he did not show
I'D in thirty minutes to look for him.
Mr.. Haffner said he started to in
vestigate when the time elasped: He
heard groa1s when he approached the
bathroom. II called the clerk and
bell boy. We found Mr.. Cleveland
unconscious and covered with blood"
Dick Kitchen, manager of the Pax
ton hotel, said that the parties to
the attempted blackmail did not reg
ister. =.
Mr.. Cleveland said he did not notify
the police. :,
About year ago Mr.. Cleveland
was attacked while returning from a
visit to Plattsmouth during prohlbl-
ton fight. He was assaulted and left
unconscious by the roadside.
The only way l can account for
the attack yesterday is that the same
bunch tried to finish their grudge
AGAINST me