The altercation

(1965 July 31)

And of course by this time [when we all went home after Fr. Hamilton had been put to bed], we all knew what this was all about - he had tangled with Ellis Lee and both men have high tempers. Father H. has been antagonizing everyone by locking up the church, and when LL comes on Saturday to prepare [to serve as a lay reader], he can't get in at all and burns very brightly. The organist, altar guild, etc., all have been locked out until finally some got keys. The Sunday we went to see our aunts, Ellis Lee [also a lay reader] had the service, as Fr. H. was on vacation. It is not clear whether he locked up or not afterwards, but when Father returned, his study in the sacristy had been ransacked, a favorite gold cross bent in two, etc.

So now it is [last] Sunday, the choir lined up in basement, and Ellis Lee is in it, and wife. Don Lenz (and Fr. H.) unwisely comes down and tackles Mr. Lee about not locking up. Fr. H. joins in at first, just wondering what happened. Then it got worse and worse: "Are you accusing me? Here's the key!" (Falls of table and on floor.) Fr.: "I guess the Presbyterians knew what they were doing" and "Don't you come to Communion feeling as you do." (All samples.) Lee: "All right, Mr. Hamilton." Fr.: "Father H. if you please." The the episode of Father resigning in the church, and later another round outside when the Lees were leaving and Ellis said he was tired of working with a dictator. Childish?