The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-06-19
A PIOUS PROFESSOR
Whose Alleged Amorous Pro-
clivities Brought Him
to Grief.
Rev. r. K. Higgins, of Mont
rose, Made the Victim
of a Cruel Joke.
The Sensational Scandal NOW
Agitating a Usually
Quiet Village.

v AAoS0s
The thriving little village of MOntrnse,
located ff,y-three miles south OF Sedalia
is revealing in tine excitement and deilgnt
of a big sensation. all its own, original,
unique, and copyright applied for.
OF course the BAzoo was not long IN
learning that something out OF the usual
order If things had transpired down the
road" and with its usual enterprise at once
dispatched a reporter to Montrose, with IN
to ascertain The cause OF the ex-
citement.
The BAzoo man reached his destination
soon after seven o'clock Sunday morning,
snd at once began an Investigation, when
soon resulted in unearthing
LARGE SIZED SCANDAL,
in which Southern Methodist local
preacher and singing school teacher is the
central figure. Little else was talked OF In
Montrose Sunday, and small groups of men
and bows could be seen on the streets IN
tently engaged in discussing the situation,
and every now and then giving vent to
their merriment, which rehearsal OF the
incidents In connection with the case
seemed TO cause.
The details of this scandal are exceed.
ingly disgusting, and many OF them unit
for publication. =.
an unenviable notoriety is Professor" 4.
x. Higgins, aged IS. He was formerly
AFuLL PLEDGED MINISTER
of the Methodist pursuasion. but on ac-
count of scandal in which his wife hgur-
ed prominently, he resigned his commits,
sion as a regular minister OF the gospel
and since that time has been what the
Methodist brethren denominate "local
preacher" Higgins has never been d.
vorced from his wife, by whom he had two
children, although he has not lived with
her for some time on account OF her alleg-
cd adulterous relations with other men.
AS previously stated, he is music teacher
and for several years past has been con.
duc,ing singing classes in the vicinity OF
Moptrose, giving a concert now and then.
About one year ago he came to MOntrose
and located permanently, engaging actively
in the Sunday school work, and becoming
superintendeut OF the Southern Methodist
Sunday school at that place. He continu-
ed to conduct singing classes in that vicin,
ity and frequently dispensed the gospel
from the pulpits of country churches. j..
For some lime all went we'll and Prof
Higgins, as he was generally styled, seem
ed to be a very popular man and quite sue
cessful in his vocation as music
teacher, being literally patron
lied by the members of thu
Methodist church. In an evil hour, how
ever. the professor, as is alleged by tn
Young men Of Montrose, began to pay al
fopether too much attention to the younl
ladies with whom he daily came In con
tact for man who had living and un
divorced wife. In fact, it is said tina
Brother Higgins
AsPIRED TO BE WASHER,
and was not altogether unsuccessful In hl
efforts in this line. These wicked youn
men consulted together as to the best mean
to be employed to bring the reverend gen
tleman to realizing sense of the imprope
manner in which he had been copductin
himself. Accordingly a most cruel 10
was put up on the unsuspeciing Hlgglr
and his unfeeling prosecutors aver tn;
they had no trouble whatever In ensnarln
the errine brother in the meshes whic
were skillfully arranged for him.
AN ANONYMOUS NOTE,
purportins to have been written at La Du
The next station north OF Montrose on II
K.&T. road, was sent to the professo
being mated on the train. The note W
couched in language more amorous thu
elegant and was in substance as follows !:
Prof X. Higgins.
AS ] have frequently be'
to your singings and
now at Ladue again and am little
the sport will be pleased to meet "
once more. / understand that you are M
at Montrose. AS will be coming up the
from here about Thursday evening, by p
vate conveyance, 1 will expect to meet y
lust west Of the Baptist church, over
hedge, at 9 o'clock p. m. have slws
thought you was jolly old boy and wou
not give me away because l am stric
private. know you but you dou't KIN
me. as cannot subscribe my name to To
Meet me there: meet me there.
The professor met her there, as the seq
will show.
This anonymous communication was
ceiyed nv Higgins last Wednesday. H'
ing an engagement to teach music less
Thursday evening, the professor went t
certain gentleman, with whom he was
very friendly terms, and whom he thou,
he could with safety make
HIS CONFIDENTIAL FRIEND,
and invoked his assistance but alas
deceptive humanity, the gentleman rel
red to, although he was in league with
enemy at the time, readily agreed to m
the unknown lady in the capacity of ID
gins confidential friend, and ascertain v
she YVES.
Early Friday morning the curious
lessor sought his friend 81 for the purE
of receiveng an account of his Stewards
The willy conspirator stated that he
met the lady at the appointed place,
that she would have nothing to do v
him.
On Saturday afternoon the schem
ssfriend" went to the professor and st,
that he had again heard from
THE MYSTERIOUS WOMAN,
,vbo u,c than in the CITY. that she desi