The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-08
TWO pREA CHEERS GONE wRoNG.
Forged Checks and Notes Were Dealt Out
With Their Religion.

READING, Pa. May The United Breth-
rem of Berks and Lancaster counties are vio-
lently agitated over tho downfall Of two Of
their best known ministers in this section. tho
Rev. L. c. Mower and tho Rev. T. II. Garrett.
The Rev Mr.. Mower is n fugitive from Justice
under charges of forgery and the Rev. Mr..
Garrett is now confined in the Lancaster jul.
charged with forgery, emNezzlement, giving
bogus cheeks, and fraud.
Nothing has happened within tho denom-
ination for years TO create such n sensational
scandal Its qualifications extend to the towns
OF Intercourse. New Holland. Gap. Blrdsboro.
Peruea, Honeybrook. MiddIetown. and Lime;
Vile, where the preachers are well known and
whore their alleged crimes were committed
Tho Rev. Mr., Mover, until April II. had
charge OF the United brethren Church at In
tercourse Lancaster county. and stood high IN
the estimation Of his ilQrk. tie is OF middle
age. and has been cen IN the IN, ministry Try eIhtcen
rious charges in Lancaster and DauphIn coun-
ties. Just before he disHppenrrd he was ac-
OF raising note given him 10y abraham Il;
Kurt. simultaneously another note, turned
up at the lancaster CoHnty, National
Bank. which WAS pronounced to be
II complete forgery, Further allegations
were made that the minister had been system
atlcally renewing palpably forged notes with
other forged paper. Squire Kennedy issued u
warrant for his arrest. The arrest. however.
was delayed tor the purposo OF giving Mover
opportunity to pay of some of his forged paper
and thus avoid public scandal: but Just then lie
disappeared and has not been heard of since.
The Rev. MIR. Mower was an intimate friend
OF the Rev. Mr.. Garrett. pastor OF the .imeyille
church Tho latter Is only 20 wears old. hand
some and unmarried. Recently he attended
David Croft S farm sale ana thore purchased
buggy for which he rendered In payment q
note endorsed by adam Groi. Last week 1t
was discovered that Adam Irofs signature TO
this mole was forged and after some consulta-
ton Garrett was arrested. Ito was Also charged
with having passed bogus checks to n number
OF his CONGREGATION on the First National Bank
OF Honeybronk. with emhe22linG church funds.
and with dcfrauding his andlady at Eirdshoro
OF the amount of his board bill In the Lancaster
lai whore he is now confined, the clerical
prisoner declares that he got the Groff note
from his frend Mower, who owed him $3.50.
borrowed in small amounts and he did not
know 1t WAS forged. A number of his fellow
ministers have called at tho Jail TO confer with
him. lie invariably begs his callers TO
pray for lin. They do. this. but none
seems willing t. go his bail He had
only been in the ministry two years. but in
thai time no succeeded In gaining epviable dis
tinctlon as a preacher. Last October he was
sent to Pequcn and tho Welsh Mountains to
hold revivas. BY his energy and ability he
aroused much religious enthusiasm and scores
Of tho Welsh mountainous were through his ef-
forts brought to Tho altar. The Mountvi,le
Conference II act ON Mr.. Movers case in Oc-
toher He has been temporarily dismissed.
The Limovile church has demanded Mr. Gar
rett'B resignation.