The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-23
FALL OF REV. ROBERT SLOSS.
AFormer Indianapolis Minister Said to Have
INDUCED in Debauch at Milwaukee.

DIR. Robert Sloss. formerly pastor of the Third
Presbyterian Church of this city, and now pas
tor of Presbyterian church at Greensburg has
been in poor toalth for year past, unable to
preach much of the time. At two or three times
during the past summer he has been seriously
i'll with kidney trouble, and about three
weeks ago, while yet very feeble, left
Greensburg for Waukesha for treatment
Word came that he improving, and
thus matters rested until Monday night when
FL. Fl. Wooley, a member of the Greensburg
church, received dispatch from the hospital
surgeon at Milwaukee, saying that he was in the
hospital, unconscious and seriously sick.
Yesterday morning a lady returning from
the West brought copy OF a Chicago
paper containing dispatch from Milwaukee
stating that he had been found there in a drunk
en- condition. Chicago friend sent Hon Will
Cumback cutting with the same article, which
he received yesterday. This is all that is
known, and it is the topic of conversation.
Many think that he was overtaken with severe
attack of Bright's disease and sought relief by
the of alcoholic stimulants but was
not wilfully intoxicated, and Ut rhaps wholly in
nocent of any breach of ministerial propriety
At least, ali fair minded persons are willing to
wait for the facts before reaching a conclusion,
and his church at Greensburg is loath to give
him up, as it is much attached to him.
The Milwaukee Sentinel of Monday tells the
story thus:
"A middle-aeed gentleman in a ministerial
dress lay yesterday afternoon. In an unconscious
condition, in dirty bed. in stability furnished
room with low ceiling. over the saloon at 227
West Water street, few doors north of the
stables of the Milwaukee City railway. He
proved to be the Rev. Robert Sloss, pastor of a
Presbyterian Church at Greensburg. Ind.
For ten days lays, he has occupied pie! the
yesterday. having dosed himself with morphine
and opium, and spent the time in drunken de-
bauchery. The man is apparently forty years
of age, of dark complexion and wears dark chin
whiskers. He was well dressed, and his garb
was cut in pronounced clerical style He had
new suit of clothes and considerable other
clothing in his valises. On his person was val
uabe gold watch and heavy gold chain, and in
his pockets he had ST.
"A week ago Wednesday last. the reverend
gentleman called at the cheap restaurant kept
by Charles Neuman, at 227 West Water street,
ana secured room. saying that he was stranger
in the city, and had come here to see the place.
he was assigned room on the second floor,
which is immediately under the roof Soon
after taking possession he mad his vallses taken
there, and was shortly afterwari seen to
enter with jug of whisky under each arm
He spent much of his time in his room, aud
took his meals IN the restaurant below. eating
only oysters. Saturday he failed to appear for
his meals, and when the proprietor visited him
ut ate hour on Saturday night, he found him
seated in chair, and complaining of being very
Ill. He was placed in bed and left alone for the
night. He swas not seen to leave his room yes
terday morning and when it was visited he was
found in unconscious condition. buG
permitted to remain there, the pro-
prietor thinking that the man might
be Doctor Cody. who. he had heard was missing.
He sent word to police headquarters. De-
tectiyes McManus and Struebig aud Sentinel
reporter visited the room. The atmosphere was
sitting. being permeated with the strong odor of
drugs and whisky. On the floor lay two empty
jugs which had contained whisky. several bot
lies, six boxes partially filed with opium, and a
lay stretched on the bed apparently in drunken
stupor.
DIR. Z. A. Marden, who was called. said that
the mans p:ostration was due to his excessive