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]