Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-03-07

CHICAGO, March 2.-The speculative
craze that has contaminated every class
and condition includes among it's de-
voices goodly number of the clergy,
and the Methodist brethren of Chicago
are evincing their full share of mingled
greed for wealth and credulity. The
Rev. G.. FL. Fowler, ID. D., now with the
Publication Society, whose connection,
together with others of the denomina-
ton, with the Isabella and Alice mining
scheme has lately been the subject of
much adverse criticism, was o favorite
pastor of Centenary Church, of this
city. 1t is but fair to the reverend
"Charley," as he is affectionately styled
to state that his mistake is here consid-
cred due to lack of judgment, and that
the suspicion of dishonesty is not enter
tanned by his former flock.
DIR. w. @. Daudy, another prominent
Methodist divine and presiding elder,
now agent of the Garrett Biblical So
ciety, was recently, through unfortunate
business ventures, forced to go through
bankruptcy like any common sinner.
Among the victims of the bucket-shop
swindlers are numbered several clergy
men. One Of these, the Rev. j. Y.
Flack, of Excelsior Springs, Mo-, who
bucked Kendall & Co.'S " Club ID tiger,
has just written Postmaster Palmer that
he publishes the christian Magazine
and Temperance Uuion, and asks for
information that he may give Kendall &
Co. ga wide publicity" in his next
number, of which ne will publish q
large edition"
And now, following these examples of
guilelessness, comes the Rock River
Paper Co., and other creditors Of the
defunct Chicago Publishing Co., who
file, in the superior court, a creditors
property of the Rev. Matthew NJ. Park
hurst. The court has decided that the
reverend gentleman is responsible, as a
stakeholder of the company, to the ex-
tent of 81 900. Judgment was rendered
and an execution returned by the sheriff
unsatisfied. It is now claimed that
Brother Parkhurst is the owner of three
houses at Evanston, producing 81, 500 q
year, a dozen cottages at Lake Bluff, a
much frequented religious picnic
ground, an interest in the
wholesale hardware firm of Parkhurst
d Wilkinson, large sum on deposit
with Preston, Kean & Co., and a fat in
come arising from his ministry Of q
church. 1t is further claimed that he
has fraudulently conveyed his property
to his wife Mary, and in other ways con-
cealed 1T TO evade payment of his just
debts. Everyone who could by any pos
sibilIty touch the reverend gentleman's
money Is made defendant to the bill.
DR.. Parkhurst-for he also is a DID,
Is prominent In the councils of the
church. In the Thomas heresy trial re
was conspicuous as the accuser and
prosecutor. AS long as the rules of the
denomination permitted he was pastor
of a fashionable city congregation, but
Is banlshed temporarily to suburban
town. He is possessed of large wealth,
secured IN the name of his wife, a Scotch
lady who brought him neat fortune.
Two or three years ago, when iron
went up the doctor cleared fifteen
thousand dollars in specuIa-
ton IN that metal. He is
accounted shrewd business man, and
his ventures are generally fortunate.
But not always, for he, among others,
subscribed for stock In the Chicago
Publishing Co., which issued the old
Post and Majt. When the paper went
under and the Daily Meas bought its
good will, associated franchises, Bull
lock press and material for $40, 900, the
stockholders were called on to pay up
their subscriptions to satisfy the debts
of the concern. Nearly all have SO done,
but to this day the return of an execu-
ton occasionally served on DIR Park
hurst is, ''no property found"
These are but few instances of the
patent inability Of the gentlemen Of
thought to cope with the laymen in bus
mess ventures. Truly, they are with
out guile. -