The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-10-31
! From the Peoria (Hl.) Democrat, October -2i.l
Another Political Preacher Come 10
+...s. Grief ,- E

A
Afew days since we heard of case,
which, for dastardly conduct, surpasses
any we bare eyer before heard of, and
lest the1party would not substantiate
the charges, withheld the publication
until, now, when further developments
make the charges beyond a doubt. The
facts are these: About two years since
a man by the name of j. b. Craig, q
Methodist minister, was located by the
conference at Ell Paso, and given charge
of a church at that place. Having q
family, being of good address, very 10y
al and loud in his dcnunciation of cop
perheads, of course he at once was the
lion of the town. His company was
sought by all the lOyalists in the burg,
and many were the tea parties given for
"our minister" and his lady, especially
the former. So popular was this model
apostle Of Christ Gin goats clothing),
that the conference, contrary to its
regularly established rule, permitted
him to- remain second. year in that
plaee.yHAneng the members z-of the
church was an aged gentleman, Charles
Mcclellan, o widower, With three single
daughters. He was also loyal, posses
sing full confidence and high degree
of reverence for his minister, loften had
him at his house, thinking him suita-
BILE person to inculcate the true doc
trine, not only of religion, but political
ideas as we'll ,in the minds of his daugh-
ters. Things passed on smoothly until
a few months since the reverend gentle
man found it to his interest to choose
another location, which he did in Full
ton county. Shortly after leaving, one
of McClellan's daughters seemed discon-
solate and troubled, and, on being
pressed by her white-haired father for
the reason, finally, from stern necessity
as she from her personal appearance
could hide it no longer-made confess
sion other shame; and to make the mat
ter doubly damnable, she is an invalid
never had good health, is badly detorm-
ed, and of weak mind. She said that
shortly after Craig commenced visiting
their house, he told her of his sy mpa-
thies for her; that her misfortunes were
such that she could never marry, and
that if she would yield to his solicita-
tions itwould greatly benefit her health,
and that the scriptures tolerated such
acts among the Lords people. Then he
being the chosen spiritual adviser of the
church, and she being one Of his flock,
it was duty he claimed in such cases,
and finally, through his clerical persua-
sions, personal promises and pledges,
and weakness Of the body, she yielded
to him. Since which time it has been
regularly kept up, and, to the time of
finding out that she was in the condi-
tion women love to be who love
their lords, all went well; but as
soon as that fact was made known to
him he left for other parts. A writ
was at once placed in the hands of an
officer for his arrest, and yesterday w.
G. Johnson, city marshal of Ell Paso,
passed through our city with this very
loyal and pious clergyman for FL Paso
an examination and give bonds for his
appearance at court. On arriving at the
Peoria House, McClelland met him; the
william extended his hand to the father
of the girl he has ruined to shake hands.
The old man burst into tears and said he
could never take any ones hand who
had SO foully wronged him. Had he
shot him down, he would have done
what any bravo man would have done;
butprabably to let the law take its course
is the best way of settling the mat
ter. We understand the family physi-
clan, who has treated the girl in the
past, says that she is so badly deformed
that it will be impossible for her to give
birth to a child. We do not want to
advise mob-law, but if the citizens of
FL Paso per nit this wretch to give
bonds, and thus escape his just deserts,
we will greatly lose respect for those
people. Mr.. Craig claims to be inno-
cent, and says he wants suspension of
public opinion until he has a chance to
prove his innocence. We think the
chance he wants will never come, un-
less he proves it by leg bail.