The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1885-07-16
The Walton Case.
FERGUS FALLS, MINI.

June 26, 1885.
TO the members CT the Minnesota
conference: Dear Brethren Brother
John Walton. of Wadena, was convict
ed of rape at the district court Of Wa
dena county on June 18th, under very
peculiar circumstances. We have no
other desire than to have him punish
ed to tho full extent of the law, if
guilty, but have every reason to be-
lieve him innocent, and the victim of
a conspiracy. A stay of sentence was
granted by Judge Baxter and lie is
out on 81 500 bail until July 2lst,
when evidence of malice, perjury and
tampering with the jury, as well as
new evidence, will be presented in
support of a motion to set aside the
verdict, which will insure a new trial;
upon which we have no doubt his in
nocence can be fully established.
1t is necessary that Brother Walton
lie helped in this trial and that we
stand by him and prevent his being
crushed by his enemies. 1t is Il mat
ter which closely concerns us as men
and as Christian ministers, and we
hope that ycu will freely and quickly
respond to this appeal.
Brother Walton is charged by a girl
IA comfy charge) IL or 10 years Of age,
with committing rape on her in be4
where were his two children e and 10
years old) while his wife was lying
sick in al uncurtained bed not six
feet distant and in the same room. A
Mrs, Miller, a member of our church,
was taking care of Mrs. Walton, and
was also lying on the bed alert to any
movement or sound. Mr.. Miller was
down stairs, and the physician in at
times during the night. Mr.. Walton
was called out of service at Verndale
by q telegram on account of his wife's
sickness; he reached home about II
O'Clock p. m. and was ministering to
his wife until 4 a. m. when she be-
came more quiet and, OH assurance
from the phYsicianl that all danger
from the fever was passed, left at a.
m. to fill an appointment at Little
Falls. The evidence of both defence
and prosecution agree on these points.
The girl claims that 2under these cir
cumstances and in such presence the
rape was committed between 4 and 5
O'Clock Il. m.
Brethren, this is the evidence on
which, in the midst of great excite.
ment and threats of violence, brother
Walton was found guilty.
AS soon us rumors of these charges
reached tho presiding elder he sum-
moned a committee Of investigation
according TO the discipline 2l4. That
committee (see names below thor
oughly canvassed the matter. sitting
thirteen hours, and having practically
all the evidence which was after
wards produced on trial. We found
no just cause for suspension. Our
elder, brother McClary, was present
at the district court trial and heard
and saw all. He is fully convinced of
the innocence of brother Walton and
of the malice of his enemies.
The expense of procuring the proper
evidence and of the motion to set
aside the verdict will he from one hun.
dred and fifty to two hundred dollars,
aud we ask you to assist in bearing
this expense by the payment of one
dollar, at least. We ask this freely.
becaue we have heard the evidence
and believe him to be innocent, and
that new trial cannot fail to meet
the ends of justice.
In the name of our common faith
and church and fellowship we ask
your aid to keep this Woodworking
and devoted Christian minister from
being crushed.
Please send money for this purpose
to Rev. J. B. Hingeley, Fergus Falls,
MINI. ''That thou doest, do quickly
THOMAS McCLARY.
Presiding Elder,
Fergus Falls District.
Committee Of Investigation,
II. G. Bilbie, Sank Centre, MINI.
J. w. Briggs, Moorhead, MINI,
S. White, Brainerd, MINI, (away)
w. M. Wright, Detroit, MINI.
J.B. Hingeley, Fergus Falls, MINI.