Iowa Old Press

Jackson Sentinel
Maquoketa, Jackson co. Iowa
October 11, 1883

MAQUOKETA HAS A SENSATIONAL CHURCH ROW IN MEETING
The following dispatch appeared in the Davenport Daily Democrat, of Monday. Whoever furnished it to that paper seemed disposed to continue the statement to plain truths:

MAQUOKETA, IOWA, Oct. 8-A sensational church row occurred here Sunday night at the Republican Union prohibitory meeting composed of the Congregational and Methodist denominations. The meeting occurred at the Methodist church, which is quite a large one, and as it had had been announced at the morning services that the people would be told how to vote, the edifice was densely crowded. After the introduction of the pastor of the Congregational denomination, who delivered the address, H. W. McCarron, a former Republican, but now a strong prohibition Greenbacker, arose from his seat and asked the M. E. pastor if this was to be a meeting in the interest of temperance and Christianity or was it in the interests of the Republican party. The congregation hissed him, and the pastor called upon the deacons to put him out. He then turned upon the ministers and denounced them as hypocrites and unworthy of the name of Christians. The deacons then made a rush at him and attempted to drag him out. His daughter then called upon the congregation to hear her father, that he was right. His friends then made a rush to his rescue and a scuffle ensued. In the heat of the excitement noses were pulled and one deacon received a blow on the neck; but owing to his under position, he was unable to turn the other side to his assailants. McCarron freed himself from the deacons and cried that he was not a ruffian or a drunkard and did not wish to be treated as such. He was then allowed to depart quietly. Several old supporters of the M. E. church followed him out and did not return. When order was restored the meeting went on.

[transcribed by K.W., April 2011]

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