The Appeal., 1891-10-31
The Hickman Side of the Trouble.

The Hickman Side of the Trouble.
EDITOR APPEAL:
Allow me the use of your columns to
make statement in relation to recent
occurrences concerning myself and Mrs.
j. w. Smith. 1t is we'll known that it
is a matter of very serious character;
especially in view of the grave injus-
tice done my wife, much less the max
ing of that wrong %heaped upon her the
subject of a sermon as though lesson
is ever to be learned from wrong, save
that of shame to the parties participat-
ing. Now it is admitted that however
grave is the charge that gossip makes
Mrs. Hickman was not and is not who'll
ly, if at all to blame.
had thought that the preservation
of dignifed silence, and the seeking
of justice through the medium of
church authority would bring about an
adjustment and settlement of the whole
matter, at once satisfactory to the prin-
cipa]s involved and satisfactory to the
church. Such however seems not to be
the case. On the contrary it has been
conducted in manner that time will
certainly show was revolutionary in it's
character, and it is now apparent for the
express purpose of making my wife the
victim and scapegoat of i'll concealed
spleen.
An anonymous meeting--the con vening
of which no one seems willing to father
the responsibility, as far as l am in
formed. This meeting is made the ba-
sis of charge of slander. Ignoring all
the current rumors, their cause and
their effect, church trial is proceeded
with---said to be the only kind of trial
allowed in such cases, where time is
not allowed to set up a defence, which
procedure even the church refused to
sanction by vote to reconsider the
motion to exclude.
A subsequent meeting being neces-
sary to bring matters to final focus,
and if the report be true, conviction
secured only by threats of resignation
on the part of the pastor, and finally as
if to further emphasize the fact of her
exclusion. special sermon is prepared
for the occasion; as though there were
any special gloritication in the fact of
such exclusion.
The facts in the matter are few. First,
at the aforesaid meeting it was given
out that the purpose of it was to obtain
the truth as to the source of the rumor,
that had it, that Mrs. Hickman had
caught me in bed with Mrs. Smith, and
upon this hunt for truth it was found
that the only thing Mrs. Hickman had
said was, ''that she did not like the
actions of Mrs. Smith towards her hus-
band, he had been in the habit of ac-
companying Mrs. Smith from church,
church meetings and entertainments at
her request, his giving her presents, etc.
and that on account thereof l had
been caused much mental worry, trouble
and unpleasentness in my family, and
only after two years was | able to con-
vince my husband that his course was
wrong and some day would result in
great scandal" That her predictions
have come, only too, true, as deeply
regret as any one else, of all that Was
said Mrs. S. frankly admitted it's truth.
Another meeting is held, attempted
to present a mmllnicat ton praying
that justice be done the parties and an
amicable settlement had, this is denied
me, but Mrs. S. comes in with charge
"Mischievous and Malicious Slander,"
against my wife, she is put on her trial
no time to prepare defence, no copy of
the charge, she is found guilty, and it is
voted to exclude her, this vote is recon-
sidered, a committee is appointed and
the matter is referred to it, at its meet
ing my wife is asked to apologize for
having said what is admitted to be true,
because-that trouble was spoken in the
presence and hearing of other than
church members, she refused, what
women would not have done the same?
Now for that refusal, she is voted to be
excluded. The pastor having been con-
vinced of how wrong the proceedings
were, changes the charge, but no chance
is given to answer this new charge, she
must go. the truth hit too hard. it's
force became slander, this and nothing
more. This is my side Mr.. Editor, and
have nothing further to say.
Respectfully,
T II HICEN