The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-05
TOWNSVILLE is INDIGNANT
Its Citizens Resent the Malicious At
tack of the Sentinel on Gov. Chase.
1t to Have Been Mass Of Falseh0ods
1t Gained Him Votes.



apolis Sentinel of Oct. 81 contained about
hcious ''slush" against Governor Chase, in
which it undertakes to make it appear that
he was not retained as pastor of the Chris
tian Church at louisville because he mixed
politics with his sermons and talked min
ing stock during his spare time. 1t is
charged that he illustrated his sermons
with political stories, and acted hypOcrit-
ically and dishonesty by using his posi-
ton as minister to influence the members
of his church to buy stock in a gold mine.
in which he was interested, and of which
he was president The article so grossly
and unjustly misrepresents Governor Chase
and his relations to the church, and his
conduct toward those who invested in the
mining stock, that your correspondent has
taken the trouble to thoroughly investi-
gate these charges and alleged interviews.
and submits the following affidavits and
statements as REPUTATION of that venomous
and unwarranted article.
The following statement, made by mem.
bers of the Christian Church, fully shows
the utter falseness of the charges set forth
in the article regarding the Governors re-
lations with the church:
We the undersigned, members OF the Chris
tian Church, OF louisville, hereby certify that
Governor Chase was our pastor in said church
for three years and was one of the most acceptable
and beneficial pastors the church has had; that
he did not preach politics nor illustrate his SER
mons with political stories that he discontinued
his services as such pastor of his own accord on
account OF his other work and etficial duties pre-
venting his having the time to devote to this
on the part OF the church with his services:
A. J. Clark, NJ. D., 4. 8. Frnk,
+. j. Hauhn, Ellen Bowen,
A. Martin Smith, Lulu Bowen,
j. w. Rocker, Ida Weber,
VIM. L. THOMPSON, Ellie Watts,
M. ID. Avery, Britta Jacks,
Ella Stilwell, Minnie Atchison,
Jessie Bowen, Caleb Smith,
Eliza Bowen. Nora Smith,
Ruth Bowen, Mrs. Anna Clark,
Nancy Ross Walter Gregg,
Daniel w. Ross, ID. II. Almond,
Elizabeth MartZ. John Almond.
As to that part of the article wherein
Governor Chase is charged with soliciting
Margaret Way. on her death-bed. to buy
mimi stock, and inducing her to invest
800 cash, the following affidavit of Miss
Ellen Bowen, who was housekeeper for
Mrs. Way for several years before and up
to her death, is complete and entire vim
dication of Governor Chase's conduct so
far as Mrs. Ways purchase of stock is con-
cerned.
State of Indiana, Boone county. S.:
Ellen Bowen, being duly sworn, on her oath
says that she was the housekeeper and compan-
iOnOf Mrs. Margaret Way, of louisville, Ind, Tor
years before and up TO the time or the death or
the said hrs. Way; that more than year before
che died, while she was up and around, MRS. Way
procured 800 worth OF the mining stock, and
Governor Chase never at any time solicited Mrs.
Way TO purchase any stock, nor TO invest any of
her means In any way, nor to dispose OF any OF
Governor Chase visited Mrs. Way while she was
on her death bed aftiant was present with them,
and he never at any time talked to her regarding
the disposition OF her property or means, nor did
he ever talk TO her about mining stock While she
was on her death-bed. ELLEN BOWEN.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4th
CYRUS n. BEARMER. Notary Public.
The article further charges that after
Mrs. Ways death Governor Chase charged
$40 to preach her funeral, and the follow
ing affidavit of Prof. NJ. d. Avery, who was
administrator of the estate of Mrs. Way.
completely refutes this charge:
State of Indiana, Boone county, S.:
Melville ID. Avery, being dnly sworn. on his
oath says that he was the administrators OF the
estate OF Margaret Way, deceased; that Governor
Chase preached ner funeral and he had 10 travel
about three hundred miles solely for that pur-
pose, and on that accoisnt afant. after consult
ing the attorney for said estate. gave. Governor
Chase $40, although the latter would not make
NJ. ID. AVERY.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4th
seal NOAH LoNeHRUN. Notary Public
The idea that Governor Chase would So
Gcit a widow upon her death-bed to buy
mining stock or charge $40 to preach her
funeral is too ghoulish and lnhuman Tor
even a Sentinel reporter, or those In this
vicinity who insisted him in making up
such pack of stun. to engage in. much
less an honest man and gentleman.
The Sentinel charges Major Gregory with
conspiring with Chase to fleece their
friends IN this vicinity by inducing them
orv's attention was called To this he said:
The whole mess. so far as any
dishonorable or dishonest transact
tions by myself or Governor
Chase are concerned. is a political
lie. and done for political effect: l sold
solicitation and request sent Tor 1t for
him and when il came / turned 1t over TO
him and he paid me 20 cenrs on the dollar
for 1t. l also sold Albert Shaw, Ferry
Klingier. David sprona and Others who are
not mentioned. their stock. and all paid me
20 cents on the dollar for 1t. David
Sprong did not get his stock at 10 cents on
the dollar through Chase's influence, for
sold him the stock myself. Governor
Chase had nothing TO do whatever with
the sale of this stock for sold II myself.
thought then and | still think that the
stock will prove To be q good Investment"
When James Sweeney wac shown the
Sentiners article be said: Il never had
any conversation with Governor chase on
the subject of mining stock. I conversed
with Major Gregory only. ! thought tho
investment would be good thing. and |