The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-11-18
A MINISTER IN TROUBLE
TWO OTHER PARTIES MIXED
IN THE AFFAIR--THEIR
CASES BEFORE AN
OHIO COURT.
From the Pittsburgh Dispatch.l

Scandals in ministerial circles are
very common occurrence in these latt
days, and in great many instanc'
where the accused is positively guilty i
is subjected to hearing before con
mittee of his flock who hear the charge
use the whitewash brush freely, an,
finally submit a report to the effect tina
their shepherd has only been guilty Of a
few Irregularities. Such is not always
the case when the common law, which
is no respeCter of persons, gets hold of
the transgressor. Even in a trial before
a jury, however, the defendants social
standing has much to do in influencing 3
body of men in making up their verdict
but if the testimony points to the fact Of
mans guilt beyond reasonable doubt,
there is no cloak OF Christianity behind
which to hide and cover up the matter,
but verdict must be returned in accor-
dance with the facts
Three years ago the spring session of
the Pittsburgh NJ. E. Conference, the
Wesley chapel congregation of this city
sent petition to the presiding Bishop
Simpson, requesting the appointment
to their charge of Rev. +. B. Webster.
1t was thought everything had been ar
ranged in compliance with the request
until the conference appointments were
read publicly, which assigned Mr. Web
ster to field of labor ten miles east Of
GAINESVILLE, Ohio. To this point he went
quite reluctantly and was only moderate
ly we'll received by some of the official
members of the church, when he first
took up his abode among them. One
mana steward, and who did more for
the church both financially, and other
wise, than any other on the entire charge
took an interest in the new conner, en-
couraged him, and in after days became
his confidential adviser on all questions
bearing upon religious matters. Time
rolled on and the new minister began to
gain public favor, and the following win
ter witnessed wonderful revival
through his instrumentality, resulting in
the addition of over one hundred and
fifty names to the church record. At
the expiration of the year unanimous
request was sent to Conference for Mr..
Webster's return, which was granted.
This and the following year, were but
repetitions. for the most part, of his for
mer success. But before the last year of
his labor in that locality had ceased, 9th
er things than that of looking after the
spiritual interests of his flock began to
attract the attention of their shepherd.
A protracted meeting was in progress
(Which was only last winter, and the
stewards residence was made the head
quarters of the minister. During the
progress of the ms citing, one Mays, of
Waynesburgh, Ohio, and Evans of Ash
tabula, who were agents for certain
patented article, was taken to the stew
ards house and introduced by Mr.. Web
ster who stated that he was well acQuain-
ted with the former, and represented
him as a man of means. The protraCted
meeting was still in progress, and Mays,
who professed to enjoy the blessing of
sanctifCation, made very loud profes-
sion, while Evans would swear little
occasionally, but subsequently professed
to be powerfully convicted, and at differ.
ent times was found on his knees in his
bedroom. A sale was finally made of
certain territory on the patent article to
the steward at whose house they were
all staying, and he paid for the transfer
almost ten thousand dollars. 1t is alleg-
ed that by certain plan of operations,
the purchaser was assured that he was
| just on the eve of making fortune. In
this sale it is claimed that the trio used
their combined influence to effect it, but
what was done with the money is yet q.
mystery. Three thousand dollars of the
purchase money was given in notes by
the steward, and in order to get the cash
and make clean job oft, Mays offered
him a large discount for the currency,
which was paid. As soon as the deeds
had been made out the purchaser started
out his Canvassers only to learn that he
had been victimized to the extent of his
entire payments, as the article which he
bought had been in use for twenty years
in different neighborhoods.
Last week the matter was brought to
the attention of the Grand Jury at Zanes-
vile, Ohio, and that body found bill
against each one of the parties for con-
spiracy and the law will now be allowed
to take its free course. Mr.. Webster had
gained the confidence of the victimized
party to such an extent that his word
went long ways in influencing him in
the purchase. Only one witness testified
before the Grand Jury, although num-
Der of others were in waiting, but when
that body was made acquainted with
what is claimed are the facts in the case,
bill was found forthwith.