The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-16
SEEKING REDRESS IN LAW.
Rev. Charles L. Walther Sues Rev. J. Ii.
Fruchtenicht for $4,000 for Libel

suit for libel was filed in the federal court
Saturday by Charles F. Walther against
John H. Fruchtenicht The plaintiff is pastor of
a German Evangelical Lutheran Church at st.
Louis, and has been the president of the Con
cordia Theological Seminary for thirty years. He
has long been one of the most prominent men of
the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, and
was for many years president of the Missouri
Synod. Fruchtenicht is prominent member
of the church at Fort Wayne. The complain
ant states that on the 4th of last May the fol
lowing letter, making alleged libelous accusa-
tons, was sent by Fruchtenicht to Rev. J. Il.
Fox, of Logansport, vice president of the Synod,
and a copy was also sent to Rev. Walther him
self
'fMr. Dr. and Professor-A Saxon (meaning
one Gottfried Schmidt) living in this vicinity,
has lately related the following concerning your
earlier life in Germany. The principal point IN
his statement is this: You were for many years
pastor of a congregation near Dresden; you so
little followed the dictates of the sixth com
m lndment that your church authorities were
obliged to strike out your name from the list OF
reverends ana to give you over to the civil au-
thorities; you escaped arrest, fleeing at night;
left your congregation without giving any notice,
without resigning or delivering a valedictory
sermon. After that nothing was seen OF heard
of you for months. Later you appeared IN the
vicinity of Rachlitz, acting as an agitator for
| church separation; holding nightly meet
ings for that purpose, where morality, with re-
spect to the sixth commandment, suffered Sc
verely. Concerning these mighty dolngs, this
man (Schmidt) relates the following 1t was at
! Sperusdorf, near Rachitz, where muscular
blacksmith had belabored with thick rope the
back of the present Doctor and Prof. Walther-
| then called pastor-and he 1.-THE informant) had
received his share. This man (Schmidt) further
had brOIlpht abOut
to such an extent that churches were being
| built, and one church at ODER Trobua was ready
| to be rooted when the civil authorities
| interviewed and issued a warrant for the
arestl of the ringleaders, to whose number
| you belonged. Furthermore he asserts this
| to be certain: You had no legal pass to go
abroad and you had left the fatherland as
criminal. The above (meaning Schmidt)
| severely accused you, particularly since you are
| such great (?) doctor. The name Of the man
| above named is Gottfried Schmidt. and he lives
| near Wanwaville, Ind.
Mr.. Professor-It seems to me that this name
Schmidt is evil omen to you, both spiritually
and morally. On Friday, May 2. Mr. Schmidt
related the above, assuring me of the truth OF it.
| What you will do in the matter is your concern,
and you are hereby informed how your charac-
| ter is looked upon by many here. Your new
| and false doctrine concerning predestlnatlon
| may yet be the cause of your becoming ill-famed
| or famed in other respects. Alasl Mr.. Doctor,
! return from the error of your way in doctrine
| and in life. The above give as an informant,
| and do not myself accuse you so far as it con
| Germs the German affair. | only claim that you
have deserted the Lutheran confession in this
country. Yours,
JOHN HENRY FRucHTENIcHT
| FORT WAYNE Ind, May 5, 1884.
Rev. Walther complains that the accusations
in the letter of Fruchtenicht are false and libel
Gus, and for the damage to his reputation he de-
| mands verdict for $40 900