The Anaconda Standard

THE CHURCH GETS A STEEPLE
W. H. Edgcombe Donates the Spire
From the Old Christian Church-
After Travels in Distant Lands
It Is Found Near Home.

At last the desire of Rev. Mr. Rounder's Butte congregation for a steeple on their church has been filled. Mr. W. H. Edgecomb of this city promises to donate to them the spire that has for many years pointed heavenward over the Christian church on Park avenue. Mr. Edgecomb has purchased the church property and intends to turn the building into a laundry, and a steeple on the laundry would be most inappropriate.

Rev. Mr. Rounder recently returned from a tour of all the large cities of the East and South in the interests of his church, and in a special effort to float bonds for the purpose of raising funds for a steeple. His trip was unsuccessful. The gold bugs of Wall street scoffed and the church people were more interested in foreign missions than in the work at home, and when they discovered that Rev. Mr. Rounder's church was not sectarian refused him permission to address their congregations. Grover Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle did not want any of the bonds, which were styled "Rounder's," and, weary and worn, the reverend gentleman declared at last that he did not care for a steeple anyway. And when he reached San Francisco and found that a horrible murder had been committed in a church tower he came out openly and declared against a belfry or any semblance of a steeple.

Without impugning the gentleman's motives, or insinuating aught against his declarations, Judge Fitz Patrick thinks that popular divine still has a hankering in his heart for a church steeple, and when he made the proposition to Mr. Edgcombe that he donate the one which he has no use for, to the Butte dominie, it was at once granted.

The Anaconda spire has a splendid record. It has always stood high in this community, and carries with it the recommendation of many who have worshiped beneath its dome, and their best wishes will accompany it to its new home.

The generous donor is most happy that he can so easily satisfy the aspirations of the Rev. Mr. Rounder and his people, and while the building which has been devoted to the washing away of sins is diverted to the cleansing of linens, it is most gratifying to know that the steeple will continue the good work it has so long been identified with in the sister city.