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Story
March 12, 1913
The Adair County News
Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
In Fairfield, Conn., over a century ago, Episcopal pastor Dr. Labaree broke a bottle of nitric acid in his pocket during a sermon, sprinted to a nearby pond to immerse himself and avoid burns, then explained to his congregation.
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THE PASTOR SPRINTED.
He Made a Good Run In Record Time With Plenty of Reason.
One of the traditional stories of the town of Fairfield, Conn., recounts a wild dash from the pulpit made by a worthy and beloved pastor of the Episcopal flock, Dr. Labaree.
It was on a Sunday more than a hundred years ago. The service had been read, the prayers said, the hymns sung, and the parson began his sermon. As he proceeded his gestures became very energetic. He brought his right hand down with great force. Then he turned pale, cleared the pulpit stairs at a bound, dashed out of the church door and ran toward the pond a short distance away.
The congregation followed in bewildered pursuit and saw their venerable pastor with flying robe rush into the water until it came to his neck. Then, turning round, he faced his astonished audience and said:
"Dearly beloved brethren, I am not crazy, as no doubt many of you think, but yesterday at the drug store I bought a bottle of nitric acid and carelessly left it in my pocket today.
"My last gesture broke the bottle. I knew the suffering the acid would cause when it penetrated my clothing and rushed for the water to save myself pain."
He drew several pieces of glass from his pocket in witness of the tale. Then he dismissed the company and hurried home.
He Made a Good Run In Record Time With Plenty of Reason.
One of the traditional stories of the town of Fairfield, Conn., recounts a wild dash from the pulpit made by a worthy and beloved pastor of the Episcopal flock, Dr. Labaree.
It was on a Sunday more than a hundred years ago. The service had been read, the prayers said, the hymns sung, and the parson began his sermon. As he proceeded his gestures became very energetic. He brought his right hand down with great force. Then he turned pale, cleared the pulpit stairs at a bound, dashed out of the church door and ran toward the pond a short distance away.
The congregation followed in bewildered pursuit and saw their venerable pastor with flying robe rush into the water until it came to his neck. Then, turning round, he faced his astonished audience and said:
"Dearly beloved brethren, I am not crazy, as no doubt many of you think, but yesterday at the drug store I bought a bottle of nitric acid and carelessly left it in my pocket today.
"My last gesture broke the bottle. I knew the suffering the acid would cause when it penetrated my clothing and rushed for the water to save myself pain."
He drew several pieces of glass from his pocket in witness of the tale. Then he dismissed the company and hurried home.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Recovery
What keywords are associated?
Pastor Sprint
Nitric Acid
Sermon Mishap
Fairfield Conn
Church Pond
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. Labaree
Where did it happen?
Fairfield, Conn.
Story Details
Key Persons
Dr. Labaree
Location
Fairfield, Conn.
Event Date
More Than A Hundred Years Ago
Story Details
During a sermon, pastor Dr. Labaree accidentally breaks a bottle of nitric acid in his pocket with a gesture, turns pale, rushes from the pulpit to a nearby pond, immerses himself up to his neck to prevent burns, explains to the pursuing congregation, shows glass pieces as proof, and dismisses them.