TWO PREAOHETS SHOT WHILE IN THE PULPIT.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 9779, 12 January 1901, Page 1

TWO PREAOHETS SHOT WHILE IN THE PULPIT.

FACTION TROUBLES IN A NEGRO CHURCH.. The following telegram, dated Columbia, 5.0., 20; h September, appears lo the Amerioan newspapers;

As the climax to a war of more than a year's duration between opposing factions In the colored congregation of Belmont Baptist Church, sitaatrd In the backwoods of Newberry Conn'y, the regolar pastor of the ohurob, the Rev. Young Boeder, and a visiting preacher and snp< porter of RBeder, the Rev, Henry Williams, where shot in the pulpit by assis: sins last n'gbt, Reeder receiving a death WOtwd.

Part of the congregation notified the presohei'B that if thoy attempted to preaeb last night they would be killed; but they had appointed to hold a big pr#yer meeting, and they determined not to flinch. Ablgorowd was gathered at every member of the congregation being present, with many visitors,. The two preaobei's oune in together on time,(and whin the church was filled began the servloe, which opened with prayer. This was followed with the singing of a hymn, and succeeded by another The congregation was kneeling,' lieeder was praying alond, bis advocates panctuatlng the prayer with fervent "Amens,"

In the meantime several members of the congregation had slipped oat Into the night, There was an open FlniJoir-be-hind the pulpit, On the sill of tills window the muzzles of several pistols rested for a moment, then nil fhalied togeiher, Iteeder and Williams fell, Reeder being ehot throogh the middle of the baci. Friends of Reader seized ten members of the congregation, who are now In gaol, charged with the shooting. They have had several rows In the church. A month ago one broke oat during the Sanday service, and many h eads were broken, The women fought as fiercely as the men. Reeder has been the favorite of the larger part of the women In the congregation.