The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-06-21
METHODIST WASHER.
The Rev. G.. F. Meredith has
a Defense to make.
He refuses to explain his Rock
Island Trip.
I'll destinations are however that
some enc impersonated him.


comings have been duly noted. has seen
fit to succumb to the influences Of a re-
porter, and has allowed himself to be in
terviewed. During the reportorial inquis-
ition, which is published in the Peoria
Journal, the following interrogatories were
propounded:
How long after your appointment to
the church in this city were ill-rumors cir
culated against your"
"Rumors were started by the members
of my congregation before my appoint
ment They emanated from lot of old
maids, who took it for granted, from my
appearance, that / was a ffirt."
s'What reputation have you had among
the Methodist church members of this city
prior to the recent publicity?"
We'll | think l have few stedfast
friends and great many detractors, and
always had in this city. Tom. CAN'T who
superintendent the Sunday school at my
church at the time of my appointment was
a man whose sole ambition was to be a
great lady's man. He had large follow
ing of ladies who attended the Sunday
school. Soon after my arrival the church
began to fill up, while the Sunday school
III.
habit of attending the Sunday school me-
elected it for the evening service. This
aroused Gantt's pique, jealousy and wrath,
and influenced him to commence a series
of underhanded prosecutions which he has
since Professionally followed.
How have you stood, and how do you
now stand in the estimation of your breth-
rem of the cloth?"
about the same as do with the laity.
I have some warm friends and some bitter
enemies When the Rev. A. r. Morgan
was preaching at the First M. E. Church
in this city, he was active in endeavoring
to destroy my reputation and defame my
character. Other ministers were engaged
in the same bad business, as will be here
after developed.
'What was their object in taking these
defamatory measuresf'
Jealousy, sir, jealousy. I came here a
mere boy,-only nineteen years old-the
youngest preacher in the conference l
rapidly filled the church, and attained a
popularity unprecedented in the annals of
Methodism in this city. Then again, my
theology was little broader guage than
the tenets of the Methodist church perhaps
prescribes. | smoked an occasional cigar,
chewed tobacco some, and rode behind a
of course, was not in strict accordance
with ironsides Methodism. But never, by
word, look, gesture or action, conducted
myself towards the ladies other than as a
perfect gentleman. l defy anyone to prove
otherwise"
THE ROCK ISLAND TRIP.
What business took you to Rock ISL
and last March,
II decline to answer"
''Did you stop at the Harper House on
any date between the 18th and Goth of that
II will not answer that either"
Were you in the city of Rock Island
about that timer"
my dear sir, there are times when 81
lence is golden. This is one of them. In
regard to the Rock Island escapade, have
only this to say; that when the bottom
facts are ELECTED, the pupil will see that
there is no criminality whatever connected
with it. The way the thing looks now, as
the public view it, / must confess that cir
evidence is against me. had
intended in a published starement, to
explain the entire affair, but my attorneys
advised me not to. 1t will come out all
right"
''Then you commenced legal proceed
ings?"
Eyes, sir, have. Not against any indi-
vidual or newspaper, but against the Meth
odist church of this district as a corpora
ton; not for damages, but to clear my
character.
I'm the event of your being proven not
guilty by the ecclesiastical court, what
course will you then pursue?"
'HThen I sail in for damages, and [ go
ic hot
bottom dollar | am not going to pump
dry well. AS Long" John Wentworth
said in a speech before the Chicago con-
ventiOn, Il may be a rogue, thief, a |
and bold, bad man, but I'm
not id fool" / know what Tin about. |
There is one man particularly whose |
shadow falls. Not that | want money. or
I'M SO mercenary as to place commercial
yalue on my reputation, but l intend to
AXE such measures as will make my SIAN |
lerers forever hold their peace"
In q general conversation at a break in |
he interview, Mr.. Meredith intimated that |
he was the victim of foul conspiracy in |
he Rock Island escapade. He would |
make no direct disclosure, but said 1t is
very easy thing for man to put a plug |
lat on his head, pair of spctacles on his |
lose, 60 to hotel and sign the name Geo. !
:. Meredith on the register" On being
Isked if he was going to make this his line
If defense, he said he would say no more
bout it. 1t is then to be inferred that |
Meredith will attempt to prove that some
nan counterfeited his features, dress,
dornments and signature; laid the train of
defamatory plot, and brought it, with
he assistance of woman, to successful |
ssue. Those interested can appraise this
tatement at their own valuation. Mere
18th stoutly asserts his freedom from Grim
nality or other unministerial conduct, and |
Believes that, like the Una of the poets |
deal. his virgin innocence will work out
lis complete defense.
MEREDITHs STATEMENT.
II have no time, and less disposition to /
ttend to all the mean insinuations which |
ave lately appeared in the columns of the
'oots.aal. 1t is simply to crafty my friends
hat stop at this time to offer defense
n my own behalf. You may disfgure
lewly whitewashed fence by singing mud
alls upon it; but it requires something
tiffer than mud-ball to demolish the
ence. In obedience to the wishes of
riends who have implicit confidence in my
integrity and honor, make the following
tatements with reference to the charges