THE ASSAULT ON THE REVC. SPURGEON.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXV, Issue 149, 27 June 1889, Page 3

THE ASSAULT ON THE REVC. SPURGEON.

AMUSING PROCEEDINGS. The San Francisco Chronicle of May 25 says:— Two ladies saved the Eev Charles Spurgeon from the wrath of a supposedly injured husband at Waiwona, Manposa County, on Thursday. The son of the great ' pulpit thumper " of London, who is the pastor of the South Baptist Church, 5 Eliott Park, Lewisham, England, sought safety behind the women, whilst bis accuser and threatener tore off his coat, rolled up his shirt sleeves, dared him to " come on," danced about him m a very vicious manner, and stared savagely at him through a pair of goggles. All this gave the people of Wawona intense amusement, and was a source of great excitement for the friends of the preacher, and made the lady who was the cause of all the trouble,- to scream m her distress, and brought the town Pooh Bah on the scene, who promptly told the supposed injured husband that he was under arrest. The Eev. Mr Spurgeon was uninjured, at least he was not fatally wounded m the affray, as after he had put a few miles between himself and his excited foe, he waved his hand encouragingly towards those who would notice him, and shouted to them that he was "not yet dead » For the benefit of those who £Wt think he said this with intot to deceive, it can be stated author; atively that he was not dead at that time however much be may regret the fact

now. The rev. gentleman will doubtless gain much notoriety on account of «the attack made on him at the famous watering-place — first, because he is distinguished because of the fact that he was the son of the Rev. Mr Spurgeon, London. He arrived from New Zealand m the Mariposa two weeks ago to-morrow. In the land of Maoris he had been visiting a brother, who also occupied a pulpit. While "doing" the colonies he met Mr James Duckworth t of Castleton Hall, Rochdale, England, one of the richest mill-owners m the three kingdoms, who was travelling with his young wife. The Rev. Mr Spurgeon had seen enough of the colonies between the mill-owner and his spouse. Mrs Duckworth is some years younger than her husband, and a typical Englishwoman, with bright, fresh complexion, light eyes, and perfect figure. She is of quiet, digni£ed temperament, and was admirably suited to carry on discussions on theological subjects with the Rev Mr Spurgeon. The trip was a very delightful and short one to the preacher, although it lacked much of taking its place as a red letter day with the husband. Did some one suggest a green letter day, as no doubt he had become jealous before the Mariposa was docked m San Francisco, Expostulations must have been m vain, for Mr Spurgeon accepted the invitation to visit the Yosemite with Mrs Duckworth and husband, when outsiders noticed that the pastor was constantly marking places m the lady's book, pointing out beauties of Nature to her, discussing theology from her standpoint, and making her head comfortable with pillows and shawls. It is now known that these things were also apparent to Mr Duckworth, and he spoke of them to Mr Spurgeon, telling him of the pain they caused him, and expressing a wish that they should be discontinued. The freedom of the husband caused an estrangement with his fiiend, but Mr Spurgeon continued m the party. The Yosemite was visited, and its beauties were the topic of many conversations between the lady and pastor. The latter has a quick eye for beauty, a musical tongue for metaphor, and can paint m pleasing words a simile that would sound very sweet m the ears of a maid or matron. His attentions to the lady became noticeable again, and the husband saw cause for jealousy m every look, and on the stage line from Yosemite to Washburn's charming hotel, the husband could hardly contain his feelings. On Wednesday last the party reached Waiwona on their way back to the city, and there the storm that had been brewing m the mind of Mr Duckworth, for the past four or five weeks burst, and caused the Rev Mr Spurgeon to shake and seek the protection of two weak ladies. The preacher was a very surprised man when his friend disturbed the peace, for which Marshal Leitch put him under arrest. The tourists were strolling about enjoying the beauties of the place, partaking of the waters, and very anxious for something to break the dull monotony of spiritual pleasure. " I have a mind to thrash you, sir," said Mr Duckworth, gent., of Castletown Hall, Rochdale, England, m a tone that was heard with pleasure by a number of persons standing about. " Oh ! what ?" gasped the Rev Charles Spurgeon, pastor of the South Baptist Church, Elliott-place, Lewisham, also English, to the intense joy of the same and other persons who gathered about. " I'll thrash your, sir," answered Mr Duckworth &c. altering the phraseology of the sentence, but m no sense' robbing it of its salient features. " Those present can easily prevent the thrashing." Mr Spurgeon evidently thought that a little "bluff" might work m here. " Well, do it now," he said, and with commendable promptitude Mr Duckworth set about his self-imposed task, but the men were held assander. One struggled sojthat he might be held tighter, and the other struggled with a different purpose. Mr Duckworth said they would meet again. Mr Spurgeon may have thought, " Notif I can help it." The incident was thoroughly enjoyed by many people at Waiwona Hotel, who failed to apprise Marshal Leith of the disturbance an d his appearance on the scene next morning was entirely unpremeditated. After the threat of Mr Duckworth, the guests went into dinner and talked the matter over while sorting out the bones of their fish, and had not finished discussing it when coffee was served. The Rev. Mr Spurgeon's appetite was unimpaired, and when he saw his late friend and present antagonist, who came m later, take his seat, he jeeringly remarked, "There. he is; why don't he do it now." Seme guests sat up all night, so that they would not lose anything of the expected fightby having to put their clothes on, but nothing of an exciting nature happened before the morning. After breakfast, preparations were made for departure, and the disturbance of the evening was almost forgotten m the bustle and hurry to catcli the stage. Some hoped for a renewal of hostilities, and their hope was not m vain. "I'll thrash you now," cried Mr Duckworth, shedding his coat, and squaring oft" | m true British fashion at the Rev. Mr \ Spurgeon, "I'll thrash you now; come out," and he made a rush at the preacher, who attempted to clinch, fearing to strike his antagonist, as m the hurry of the fray Mr Duckworth had not removed his goggles, which certainly would have been m the way had the Rev. Mr Spurgeon delivered a " shutter-closer." " They're at it again," yelled someone. " Form a ring, gentlemen ; form a ring," cried Mr Higgins, addressing the spectators. "Break away there," he shouted, as he saw the contest was about to degenerate into a wrestling match. Just at that instant a lady broke through the crowd. She threw herself between the combatants. "Oh, James, James, don't," she cried; "don't fight, don't fight; don't do that!" She pushed the men apart m such a manner that the Rev. Mr Spurgeon was concealed from view behind two ladies standing alongside. Mr Duckworth adjusted his glasses, but he could not see the preacher, yet, notwithstanding the protestations of his wife, he continued to square off and invite his opponents to " come on," and m other ways commit a breach of the peace against the people of the State of California. Marshal Leitch, who did not know there was a fight m the neighbourhood, strolled along, and seeing a man coatless and hatless and giving every indication of entering upon a combat, approached him from behind, raised his right hand as if calling all the gods to witness the courage he displayed, and said solemnly, " You will consider yourself under arrest." Mi' Duckworth made a note of it, and was released on his own recognisances, and was led away by his wife, and an hour or two later was on his way to the Grand Springs. Mr Spurgeon reported progress by informing the people he was still alive, but no fireworks blazed or cracked as as evidence, of common rejoicing. The estrangement between Mr Duckworth and Mr Spurgeon was complete for some hours. They had engaged the drawing-room of the sleeper, but Mr Duckworth declined to occupy it with a person of the name of Spurgeon, and a sympathiser gave him his section m exchange. Towards evening the friends of the parties to the remarkable scenes tried to affect a reconciliation, and after some time apologies were made 'and accepted, but the wound which the husband had received is probably not yet healed. Mr Spurgeon told \ a reporter who got on the train at Martinez that the whole affair was through a misunderstanding, and lie was sorry tho thing had happened. Like a good Christian he did not deny the story, but con--1 3idered it personal property. Mr Duckworth deprecated the affair, and said it had all been made clear to him. _ It was cine to a misunderstanding, which had been very unfortunate m its resu Is. He » had spoken to the Rev. Mr Spurgeon ex-