Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-12
FREY TO A PREACHER.
The Victim Sacrificed tn at Her Betrayer
q Might Marry AL Heiress.

s Fro,a tie CleUe5and Pldindealer.
SPRINGFIELD, o., July IA terrible
cloud OF trouble has settled on the head Of
Rev. A. Z. Wagner, the young and popu-
lar pastor Of the Second Lutheran church
or this city. According to a special from
Wapakoneta he is accused by Miss Laura
Craig, lively young blonde of Wapa-
koneta, with being the father Of her babe
born yesterday. Rev. Wagner was seen
by a reporter to-day, and denies the
charge in the most emphatic terms. He
says the whole thing IS trumped up. and
that he is not the father Of the child.
What makes the affair still more terrible
j. the fact that the Rev. Wagner was
married only few months since 10 an es-
1imable young lady, who is naturally al
most Frustrated by the terrible charge
against her husband.
AR WAGNER's BRILLIANT QUALITIES.
Rev. Wagner is a very handsome young
man with yet black hair and moustache,
and generally prepossessng air. He Is
always well dressed and has become ex-
ceedingiy popular with his Pensioners
here. His cburch.is the second Lutheran
on Clifton street, and under his ministra-
tt0H was rapidly building up 70 one Of the
largest in the city. He is an excellent
speaker and his sermons filled the church
every sunday. II is rumured that he will
sue the Cincinnati Enquirer for libel. He
was formerly pastor Of the Lutheran
church at WapakOneta and resigned 10
accept the call Ia this city.
The affair created a profound shock
atn0bg the young minister's parishiOners
THIS morning, and great variety Of eX-
pressi0ns are heard on the subject. There
is "A disposition 10 give the young man a
1aif chance. however, aud the fullest Op-
pOrtunity Will be given to him 10 clear
himself OF the terrible charge. No legal
steps 81 any kind have a. yet been taken.
FAVoRs HIS FATHER.
The story from Wapakoneta il that
when Miss Craig gave birth 10 her child
and tue Doctor informed her thatit was "a
pretty and healthy boy, she replied: at
ought 20 be; Mr.. w agner Is its father
The baby HIS black hair and blue eyes,
and fayOrs its father. Miss Craig ID a
cOmely blonde. well educated. She grad
uated from the WapakOneta high school,
and Is a member of the alumni. While
considered somewhat giddy, she always
moved IN the best circles Of society. and
POSSESSED the respect Of the community.
She is an accomplished musician and has
for years sung III the Presbyterian choir,
OF which church she Is IA member. The
family Is very respectable. Mr.. Craig is
ex-cOunty surveyor, which Office he filled
acceptaby for - or 10 years
RumOrs Of Miss Craig's delicate condi-
ton have been IN circulation for five or
six weeks, and the names Of several gay
young bachelors, both here and at st.
Mary's, were coupled with the approach
ing event. Madam KumOr did not take
that liberty with the name OF Mr.. Wagner,
however.
WHINING TIKI HEARTS or THE PEOPLE.
Mr. Wagner was pastor OF the Wapa-
koneta Lutheran church for TWO years
and half. lie resigned Ia April, 1884,
70 accept call from the Second Lutheraa
church Of springfield, o., whore he Is 49,
ministering 70 the spiritual wants Of his
fashionable and wealthy congregation.
The WapakOneta church was his
first charge. lie WIS brilliant and
eloquent Ia the pulpit; outside Of IL Gle.
classes crowded the pewe with deyOut
members and admiring worldliugs. His
congregation treated ham with the great
est generosity, aud Increased his enlnry
several times. until ID became difficult
matter 10 raise the stipulated amount,
and T. hello ~ out resort was bad 10 the
fund Originally intended Tor a new church
cdiilce. Ills social graces we're very fas-
cinating 70 The susceptible female portion
Of the congregation.
THROWN OVER rOR AN uEIREss.
The unfortunate girl says her seducer
accomplished her ruin about Oct. or >,
1881, while here attending The county fair.
When she ascertsined her condition she
wrote 70 hiln and demanded reparatiOn by
marriage, but received no reply. She
wrote 20 him several times subsequently.
but he paid nO attention 10 her plendings,
aud They had no effect apparently but 70
hurry up his marriage with an heiress,
the only daughter OF "a deceased doctor al
Carey, o., who left az estate supposed 10
be worth 500, Zoo. This calamity follows
% iho heels a. Mrs. Craig's death, who
was buried but short month ago, and
whose last hours were embittered by tho
knowledge of LauraiB disgrace and the
family's dishon0r.