The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-08-12
Communicated,

To the Editor of The REPUBLICAN.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Wnl you allow me space
through the columns of your paper to give the
facts in regard. to the much talked of and
greatly exaggerated account of the Nestry's
proceeding against the Rev. F. S. Hopkins.
The Vestry's attorney, who resides in Cum
berland was requested by the Rev. F. S.
Hopkins bondsmen tonotify him (the bonds
mani by letter that the Vestry would mold
the bondsman responsible for the amount OF
the bond. The bondsman did this in order
that he might notify Mr.. Hopkins that the
costs were due so that Mr.. Hopkins might
make some arrangements. to pay the amour
or relieve his bondsman. Mr., Hopkins called
upon the bondsman and recei led a statement
of the amount due the Vestry and said he
would go to Baltim ore and make arrange
ments to have the same paid.
While Mr., Hopkins was in Baltimore, the
treasurer of the Vestry called upon the
bondsman and notified him that the Vestry
depended on him for the am ount due them.
The boudsman replied that Mr.. Hopkins was
then In Baltimore making arrangements to
settle the affair. but II the treasurer wished
| the money then, he would at once pay it, but
| he preferred waiting until the return of Mr.
| Hipkins The treasurer replied that he was
| in no haste for the amount. but only wanted
| the bondsman's assurance that 1t would be
paid That was the only time there was
| ever anv offer made 10 the Nestry TO have
| the matter settled or relieve his bondsman,
| so the Vestry was informed by the bonds
man: in the meantime Mr.. Hipkins left Oak
land leaving his family TO follow him.
A few days before the car containing the
furniture which was assessed to Mr.. Hopkins
| had ieft Oakian I, the Vestry's attorney
called upon the bondsman for the amount OF
hebDnd. The bondsman positively refused
TO pay the amount unless TIL Vestry made
some effort 10 secure II by attaching the
personal proper ty OF Mr.. Hopkins,
Before taking further steps in the matter
the secretary of the Vestry wrote polite let.
ter to Mrs. Hopkins asking her If Mr. Hipkin,
had made any arrangements to settle the
matter. She replied as follows;
| Warning Thomas. Esq, Register etc.
| DEAR SIR:-l am in receipt OF n communi-
cation from the Vestry of st. Matthews Par.
ish over your official signature requesting
me to intimate when the Vestry can expeci
| a settlement OF the costs in the church case
| In reply am not expected 10 know any.
thing about these matters, l have not now
and never had any thing to do with thai
case, and you would do better to confer with
the counsel or parties rather than with wo
man who knows nothing. Have this to say
| heard that arrangements have been mad,
to pay the costs referred to, but do not know
| the details, i suppose either MIR. Hipkins o
or his counsel could give you the in formation
which you ask. / cannot understand VIII,
the Vestry would ask me. about SUCH mat
tiers. Respect fully
:. + HIPKINs
July 9th, 1892.
The contents of her letter was then mad,
known to the bondsman and he insisted tina
the Vestry proceed with the attachment
. The attorney and sheriff called on tn
bondsman next day and informed him tina
they were ready to execute whatever proper
ty he could point out as belonging TO MI
Hopkins. The sheriff then informed tn
bondsman that Mrs. Hipkins claimed tn
property. Upon hearing this the bondsmal
} turned to his desk and drew his check 70
amount of bond. The above statement cal
be substantiated by an af1dayit If necessary
The Vestry deplored the necessity of so hars
a movement but were forced into it by tn
bondsman. They had either to do this o.
bring suit against the bondsman but as tn
Vestry has always acted apon the defensiv
they had no desire to 70 into the courts.
BOWIE JOHNSON JR.,
Warden st. Matthews Parish, Oak land.