The ALEXANDRIA PAPERS #1

T H E   E P W O R T H   L E A G U E

A N D   T H E   C O O K   G A N G

John Wesley, the man who changed American Episcopalian belief from old Anglican ways, through Wesley's paradigm called Methodism, to today's Methodist Episcopal Church.  Although there seems to be a political schism afoot today, Wesley's Methodism held sway for over a century.  Wesley was born in Epworth, northwest of Lincoln, England.  This is the origin of the name Epworth League.

The Epworth League was established within the Methodist Episcopal Church as a sort of Boy Scout organization.  Since the Boy Scouts were not founded until 1910, the Epworth League filled a niche.  Alexandria had a chapter of the Epworth League.  The basic tenets were founded in the following areas: Spiritual Life, Social Work, Literary Work, Correspondence, Mercy and Help, and Finance.

Two Alexandia men were involved with the Epworth League: Professors O. (Oliver) C. Larason, Superintendent of Schools, and Lawrence Irwin Mathematics teacher.  This is a bit perplexing; Lawrence Irwin was a Baptist.  On December 20, 1894, the Christmas Tree ceremony in Alexandria was held by the Methodist Church with a social afterwards hosted by the Epworth League for a 10-cent ticket.

Let's briefly look back at the Epworth League in California.  The California State Legislature passed the Organic Act on March 23, 1868.  This instituted the California University system "in order to devote to the largest purposes of education the benefaction made to the State" by the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act. The act stated:

[I]n order to fulfil the requirements of the said Act of Congress, all able-bodied male students at the University, whether pursuing full or partial courses in any college, or as students at large, shall receive instruction and discipline in military tactics in such manner and to such extent as the Regents shall prescribe, the requisite arms for which shall be furnished by the State.

On September 15, 1931, the Board of Regents promulgated an order requiring students to take the course in military science and tactics in the Reserve Officers Training Corps as prescribed by the War Department.  A group of students filed a lawsuit against the university which ended up being heard in the Supreme Court as Hamilton, et al. v. Regents of the University of California, et al.  Hamilton, et. al. lost.  

Meanwhile, Christmas has just past in 1894, with reportage on the Epworth League and Christmas festivities.  The Johnstown Independant makes another report about the Cash Gang on Thursday, December 27th, (Christmas was on Tuesday)

The noted Cook gang of the "wild and wooly West," arrived in town [Alexandria] Monday evening and amused themselves in shooting revolvers in a haphazard way in the streets. [...] The gang composed of Col. Hubbard, Capt. Beaumont, and Irwin [...decided] to pay Buxton and Van Ness a call.

The Johnstown Independant, December 27, 1894, page 4

The article goes further in saying that the author has no reason to offer for the incorporation of Alexandria, that Mayor Ladd only makes "stylish laws," and that the people of Alexandria should elect officials with fortitude.  Further, George Cash, assaulted by the Cook gang, swore out a warrant before the mayor.  Hubbard can be identified as Harry Earl Hubbard (1874 to 1937), while Beaumont and Irwin's identities are difficult to define.

The following week's Independant (January 3, 1895) states tha on Wednesday, January 2, Harry Hubbard was found guilty of assault and was fined $8 in Mayor's Court.  Additionally, Hubbard pled guilty to drunk and disorderly conduct as well as firing a weapon in town and fined $2.  Hubbard's cohorts also pled to drunk and disorderly with weapons and each fined $3.  They were assessed costs and promised to do better in the future.

They Alexandria news in this edition of The Independant concludes with a special event to be held on Sunday evening by the Epworth League with papers, songs, readings, and a special address by Professor O. C. Larason.

Perhaps the title A Tale of Two Cities might be appropriate here.  On one hand, we have the history in town of a religious oriented towards wholly good practices and on the other hand, a gang of 20-something-year-olds shooting up the town on Christmas Eve 1894.  Alexandria is on the verge of major change.  A new Century is approaching.  Changes are coming.  Some people seem to need help coping with change... or perhaps the status quo.