Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-08
HExTH-.4

The Charges Against the Minister Posi-
lively Reiterai ed-lIr. Keith's Statement.
The Keith-Ambier scandal has agitated
| and is confoundipg the brethren of the NJ i.
E. Conference now in session in this city
far more than they are willing to admit
1t has greatly disturbed the harmony of an
otherwise agreeable and interesting ses-
sion. The notoriety given this matter by
the press is deeply deplored, and the pry-
ing reporters come in for considerable
censure for prematurely giving birth to
this salacious scandal. 1t was the inten-
ton from the beginning to keep the mat
ter quiet and dispose of it without public
ity. 70 this scheme both parties interested
| assented, but it was impossible to accom-
plish as has been seen. The Sunday
GLOBE contained an article re-
| lating to the matter, in which mention
was made that Keith had offered to drop
! the matter entirely provided he received q
| liberal consideration. Amber claims to
| have letters with which to make good this
| counter charge against Keith. Early yes
terday morning Mr.. Keith called at the
GLOBE office and denied that he had writ
ten such letters and detied the proofs.
In conversation with Mr.. Keith and
| other reliable parties who knew him well
the GLOBE learned that Mr.. Keith was &
highly respected and wealthy resident OF
| Casselton, Dakota. whittier he moved some
seven years ago and with his brother
| bought several sections OF land which
they are now farming. He is prominent
in county affairs and is a member of the
Masonic lodge. This trouble has ruined
tbs health and happiness of his wife and
| himsel. and he has the sympathy aud
backing of tho people among whom he
lives. On being interviewed in regard
to the matter he refused point blank to
say anything about the connection of his
wife in this question. He says that he has
| known of Amber for years and never
heard anything good Of him. Before his
pretended conversion to religion no was a
man of extremely bad habits and odorous
| character. He was a gambler and q
drunkard. He was indicted and tried in
Wisconsin for body-snatehing, but, &C.
cording to his own tale, was released on
spurious efiidavits and perjury. He has
been engaged in other questionable mat
ters, which Keith can prove. Those who
know Amber place no faith in his pro-
| leSS6Q religion. MT. Aeltn ASKS people to
compare his character with such man as
this. He has lahored steadily and hard for
almost lifetime to place him
sely in an independent position and make
his family happy and now this scoundrel,
IN ministerial gerb, has destroyed the
happiness of whole family by his lasciv-
iousness. He seemed quite earnest in his
talk and proposes to prosecute this man
Amber to the full extent of the law, but
also to have him depcsed from the minis
try and thrown out of the lodge of Masons
OF which Amber is also member.
The conference committee OF inquiry
will report to the conference today, that
the charges have foundation, and tina!
Amber be suspended ana tried by church
court convened for the purpose. He has
been one year at Sank Center and now his
place will be supplied with another. and
he Will be deberred from preaching until
he has been tried. The probabilities are
that he Will never preach in connection
| with the church again.