Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-10
THE READ SCANDAL.
Report or the Grand Island Confer
enca-Actien of the Moline BAPTIST
Couruiftee

|
Interest," has so grown in the Outcome
of the conference trial of Rev. j. L. G..
Read, of Grand Island. and Miss Lottie
Zedeker under the charges heretofore
published, the following report of the
proceedings from the Grand Is and Inde-
pendent is published. The Baptist con-
ference was held to consider the findings
of the First Baptist church of Grand ISL
aud, in the case of Rev. J. c n. Read
and Miss Lottie Zediker. Nine churches
of the conference were represer ted by rs
members. The finding of the First Bap-
tist church was as follows:
Inasmuch as j. @. 81. Read and Lot
tie Zediker have been held in high es
TEEN by this church and community,
we were greatly panied over the reports
so damaging to their reputation,
which have gone forth, but notwith-
standing their repeated denials of any
wrong doing, and their attempts to
place the blame of these reports upon
others, we upon investigation believe
that said reports are due TO their own
misconduct, in which they have persisted
in spite of public opinion aud the warn,
iugs of their friends, fact strongly
| brought out by their conduct at the Pacific
hotel on the night of Feb. %, 1891. said
conduct suggesting, il not involving.
| gross immortality. and inasmuct as this
scandal. because of the promiu ence of
the parties, has brought repro ach not
only upon this church but also upon the
Baptists of Grand Island and vic nitv and
upon the Baptist ministry of the state;
therefore be it
Resolved. That we send our findings
with the evidence for the same TO the
Grand Island conference. and request
them to to take such action in the case AT
an early date, as the evidence given aud
the importance of the interest ct stake
demand.
The conference after carefully consid
ering the findings and evidence 10 the
case of j. II. C.. Read aud Miss Lottie
Zediker as given by First Baptist church.
endorse their findings and approve of the
action OF said church, in Offering to give
these findings in his case to the loo Al
papers for publication. The conference
also approved the action of the church 10
their resolution to send their findings to
the Baptist church of Moline. Ills. wher
Mr.. Reed and Miss Zediker now have
their membership.
The testimony. which has ali been re
duced to writing, shows a coud ton o.
affairs fully wsrranting the very worst
that has been said. and much more than
has been published
In reply to these charges Mr.. Read
published the following in the Moline
papers:
MOLINE, April 4, 1891 Some time
since the wires carried the news all over
the country that had forsaken fam
lily and fed with another.
The Infamous falsehood was contra
dicted by myself and family appearing in
your midst. Since that time the enemy
has been quite busily engaged. In the
Rock Islander of this morning APPEARS
clipping from the Grand Island (Neb }
Independent, giving the findings of
con ference held in that city to investi.
gate my character. would certainly be
pleased if the readers of the Dispatca
would carefully study such findings
few of the people of Grand Island
have manifested great disposition to
smirch my character. because | differed
with them as to the best methods Of con-
Quoting the affairs of the church, and
also because others were consulted as
much as were they.
Before this an effort was made to in
jure me, and this 1 clearly proved by
witnesses. Now they asssil my chsrac.
ter in another way, and so poison the
minds of others that they are ready to
aid them.
Look at the methods OF procedure on
the part of the committee there This
committee was. believe, self-appoluted.
and composed largely of my enemies
When in Grand Island, some weeks at
ter coming to Moline, the church records
failed to show:
l. That any charge had ever been
preferred against me, and if there are
such charges / have never seen them
2. l have never received notice 70 ap-
pear before the church to answer any
charge
3. There was q committee of ID Sc
lected by committee of six. to invests
gate rumors afioat. In e appointment
of this committee had no voice
4. l returned to Grand Island and
asked the privilege of making stat ement
before the church, but the above men
toned committee informed me I con d
not be heard Old Rome was not 50 uu-
generous as that
| believe when we all stand before the |
Great Tribunal, il will be seen, that ia |
the history of the church, more damn
able piece of blackmailing has not be u |
invented by the devil.
settle quietly down in your city. vii |
ling TO let my past record and my daily !
actions testify TO the truthfulness OF false |
ness of the rumors, till l am in other wsys
indicated.
| subjoin hereto the action of the ad- |
visorv board of the First Baptist church |
of this city. J G. a. READ.
To THE PUBLIC: At meeting Of the
advisory committee OF the First Baptist
church at Moline, H., held on Tue sday, /
March 81. 1891. the findings of the First
Baptist church of Grand Island. Neb :.
il, &c ~