Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-04-25
STILL HARPlNG.
Silly Stories in Relation to Miss
Hughes.
Absurdities and Bugaboos Concerning CO.
ercion and Persecution-what She
Says in Regard to Her Book.

Says in Regard to Her Book.
Peaders of the REGISTER have become
very familiar. by this time, with the sad
and romantic story connected with MISS
Bashi Hughes, Of Greene county, Pa, VINO
now finds home with John McGannon, oil
this city. How she went to Cleveland, 10
the Good Shepherd convent! and thence
10 the Open Arms; her return 70 melting
and subsequent persecution by her sister,
who had her arrested on lunacy warrant,
have all been detailed in the REGISTER
There is vet one chapter TO be. told, Win
which her sad, vet interesting story, Will
he brought to close. she hopes, as tar as
newspaper notoriety is concerned. IL was
cleaned, last night by reporter Tor TINS
paper. Dbl; ooo bars
after her, he was accompanied by DuTaht'
OF the Clavsville Sentinel, who pissed him.
self off as doctor He is interested, from
some cause, in her case. and in the last
issue of the Sentinel gives two columns OF
stuff. very sensationally gotten up, IN
which he would try to make out that
Bashie has been under the ban and spell OF
Romanism. 1t also claims she is insane,
which is untrue, as her examination here
will attest. The article goes on to say:
"Soon after returning home, Miss hughes
became convinced of the false character oil
the religion she had assumed, ana thor
ouphly disguised by it, hollow mumme-
RES. In accordance with these convictions,
she abiured Romanism and connected her
sell with the Methodist Episcopal church
at Dallas. West Virginia. Immediately
afterward. having regained her health, she
commenced the preparation OF q volume
entitled "Reminiscences with the lnteh-
ton of having it published. We may here
state that We have read portions OF the
manuscript OF the intended book. and we
regard il as one of the best refutations ana
exposures of Romanism, embracing lis con-
vent. monanastic and educational features,
that we have lately perused. Being also
written in clear, candid style, its publica-
ton would undoubtedly produce power
full impression, and do great good.
After having prepared the manuscript of
her PROPOSED book Miss Hughes was next
solicitous for it, publication. Not having
the means, she made the attempt to pro-
cure the money by lecturing on variety
of topics, which was not success. With
this in view she came to Claysyille ia.
Here she lived with her sister. Miss Lyle
Hughes. during the summer OF 1881, ana
wrote some very meritorious poems, MOST
Nv on religious topics for the ClaySViiie
H..
one or two very pointed yet candid criti-
ciSmS directed against Roman Catholicism.
These no doubt drew the attention OF some
ncoplc of that faith here, and led TO the
following train of remarkable occurrences
in a plot to get control of Bashie once more,
and at the same time Illustrate the publica-
ton OF her book, which we now proceed to
relate:
During Miss Hughes residence in Gays
vile. she made an effort to lecture. Ihis
was we'll spoken OF by the few who were
present, but of course it was ridlculed by
The Romanists of the place, and she was
NOT supported with that sympathy by the
Protestant element which her case de-
served, and which ought to have been
afforded Could human eyes have seen II,
no doubt it was terrible struggle through
which the poor girl passed. On the one
hand hated and prosecuted by Rome, under
a smiling exterior; on the other neglected
by Protestants, who were made the plant
ard thoughtless tools for accomplishing the
cunning designs of the former.
In the fall of 1881 Miss Hughes was in
vited TO visit Mrs Baird of Wheeling.
Whilst there, having the interests OF her
book prominently in view. shesendeavored
to find a situation as teacher OF languages.
one day. seemingly by accident, she was
met BY Romanist of Wheeling, named
McGannon, who had formerly some &C
abundance with the Hughes family. lie
+ proposed that she should make her home
in his family as long as she desired. To
this she objected, stating that she was no
longer Catholic, but Protestant and a
member of the Methodist Church; and she
thought they could not agree. He replied
that she need not hesitate on that account.
as she would have perfect freedom to at
tend her church duties when she pleased.
After further strong persuasion, Miss
Hughes tiually consented TO reside with the
/ McGannon family. However, we have
learned from undoubtcd authority that the
promise not 10 Interfere with her church
. dmf'HS was violated
This much is given as necessary to the
explanations which follow. In relation to
the book, to learn the facts connected with
il REGISTER reporter called upon Miss
Hughes last evening at Mr.. McGannOn's
residence on MCColloch street, and had
long conversation with her. She wrote
such a book. but it was when she had lost
her faith Now" said she, II have re-
turned to the true faith. that love, and ]
do not want that book published.
1t seems that in one of her Eighty spells
she did write such book as is mentioned,
and it is now in possession of Miss Nc
CURE, in Washington county. Miss Bashie
says u slIdll hSNNI NC publIShSN, .IhN w s'''"
end has consulted all attorney. She further
says she never was a member Of the Dallas
church, or of any save the Catholic.
The various charges of coercion, perse-
cution, ETC., which appeared in the Sentinel
articles are ridiculous. Miss Bashie is now
in the first place she could call home, is
well treated and happy. The only force or
coercion is on the other side, for once when
she visited he sister, the latter locked her
up in her room to prevent her following
the instincts of her religion. Everybody
in that section of the city knows that the
open door of hospitality McGannon has
extended to her has been free and unrc-
strained and she was free, during her
religious lapse, to attend what church she
pleased.
Whatever charges may be made, il is
evident to every one that has called on her,
at her present home, and listened to her
story, that she has received only kindness
at the hands of the Catholics and the only
persecution to which she has been subject
ed. comes from her own relatives aud they
Of the Protestant church.