Fists Fly In Presbyterian Melee

1911

FISTS FLY IN CHURCH MELEE

Fine Scrap Occurs Within Pittsburgh Edifice

HURRY CALL FOR POLICEMEN

Unexpected Entrance of Two Suspended Members by Forcing a Door Starts Things Going — Chairs Hurled, It Is Said — "Peacemaker" Emerges. From the Battle With Discolored Eye.

Pittsburgh, May 23 — Trouble which, according to the members of the congregation of the Grant Street Reformed Presbyterian church on Grant avenue, near Sixth avenue has been brewing for some time, culminated last night in a free-for-all fight, in which the physical as well as the spiritual feelings of some of the members of the congregations were seriously damaged.

The first indication outsiders had of the trouble was when members of the congregation rushed out and summoned the police. Captain Joseph Murray went to the scene of trouble and discovered the participants, the first flush of battle over, excitedly discussing the situation.

According to the story given out by witnesses of the affair and later corroborated by two of the principals, the trouble started when Professor Sleeth of Avalon and James McClure of 2905 Merwyn avenue, who recently were suspended from the session, attempted to gain forcible entrance to a meeting of that body.

Communion service had been held in the church previous to the meeting of the session and the two suspended members, noticing that the body was to meet, went to one of the doors leading to the room, but were informed that their presence was not desired by the session. They then started for another door, which was found to be locked, but putting their shoulder against it they forced down the door just as members of the congregation coming from behind, appeared on the scene.

The succeeding events occurred so quickly that no authentic account of the fray could be obtained, but snatches of talk from the congregation told of chairs that had been hurled, while one of the participants who styled himself as a "peacemaker" emerged from the smoke of battle with a rapidly-rising decoration under his left eye, worthy of the prize ring.

—Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1911, page 4.