Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-05
The Hoffman Scandal.

CHICAGO, September A Decatur special
to the Times says: The Rev. Mr.. Hawes.
pastor of the Second Methodist church al
Bloomington, and the Rev. Mr.. Moore, of the
same place, who will prosecute the Rev. s. o.
Hoffman for the church at the annual session
of the Illinois Conferences at Lincoln, which
will convene on September 10th, were 10 De-
catur yesterday for the purposs of securing
new evidence against the accused as o his
alleged relations in connection with Zeits
Robinson and other females. The Rev.
Hoffman was pastor of Stopp's Chapel in De-
catur IN 1872, and during that time he called
his official board together one night and told
them THAI he desired 10 make 8 statement,
which was to the effect that the hired girl
who then formed part OF his family had
threatened 10 make serious charges, which, il
uttered, would seriously affect his reputation
and standing in this community as a minister
of the gospel. He aVerred that the girl had
said that he (Hoffman) had tried TO take
liberty with her and had entered her bed
room. These charges Hoffman emphatically
denied to the members of the official board,
but in answer to questions put 10 him be ad-
mltted that he had offered the girl 800 to
mold her peace and not tell his wife, because
sne was IN delicate health. He also admit ed
that ne bad gwen the girl pair OF shoes
snd a pair OF gold bracelets in Teurn for the
duty she had performed in keeping the min
lster's studio IN The chapel in tidy condi-
too. The above facts are a matter Of record
and were taken down yesterday in forms of
depositions 10 be presented in the evidence in
support OF the subsequent charges against
Hoffman at the session of the conference in
September. A short time ago ]. j. Pedde-
cord received letter from Bloomington with
the name OF Z4tta Robinson sigaed TO il.
The latter is alleged to have been written in
disguised hand, and it is asserted that it
could not have been written by Zetta, because
she could not hsve known the facts stated in
1t. The writer addresses herself 10 Mr.. Ped
decoTd, and asserts that she knew of
Hofman's experience here with the
hired girl; that she knew Hoffman had
offered her 500 and had given her
presents, and that if Mr.. Peddecord had
done his duty Hoffman wonld have been
thrown out OF the church in 1872. and she,
Miss Robinson, would have escaped ruin;
but the writer declared that if Mr.. Pedde-
cord would send here 500 she would let the
after drop, bat if he did not then she
would bring suit against him for damages.
TheIe is said 10 be no doubt that the letter
Is base forgery, and was either written by
Hot1msn or some of his friends to damage
the character of Miss Robinson. The feel
ing In the church seems to be that Hoffman
shall have fair trial, but there are but few
members OF the conference who hope or
think he will be acquitted. is understood
that Bishop Warren will appoint Dr. Dan
iels, OF Decatur, to defend Hoffmsn that the
accused may have the best defense that can
be offered him, and then if he fails to sus-
tain his innocence and is thrown out of the
church he nor none of his friends will have
the least excuse TO complain about unfair
treatment"