The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-25


Some weeks ago the Methodist min
listers at their usual Monday meeting
took action on the conduct OF a brother
minister that shocked the congregation
to which he ministered and panied the
judges who passed upon the charges
brought against him.
The ministers OF the Methodist Epis-
copal church OF this city in the early
part OF January heard charges Of very
delicate nature preferred against Rev.
]. F. Chenowith, pastor OF the North
Street NJ. L. church, He confessed
these charges, and also signed his res
ignation as q minister of the gospel, and
really commenced life over again rs a
probRtioner-the same as the humbIest
seeker for salvation in his fold.
This is the official action which gave
currency to many wild rumors, many
that were thought to be unjust to the
accused, The rumors indefinitely stated
that there were improper relations with
a woman Of his household, q visitor
from distant town.
IIEv oHENowTn's STORY.
The ex'pastor Of the North Street NJ.
L. church was visited last evening by a
reporter of the INTELLIGENoER and was
asked for his side OF the case He said:
at is true that | resigned the pastorate
OF the North Street church on January
20, on account OF iil.health. had been
contemplating doing so for some time,
because had occupied the pulpit only
occasionally, and felt that was not
doing Justice to the congregation over
which presided. / had heard rumors
affecting my moral character, but they
did not influence me. This lady who
accuses me did visit our house while
her sister, servant, was sick
with typhoid fever, She re-
manned from Saturday until the
following Wednesday. l had no nc
quaintance with her, except knowing
her by sight"
odd you at any time in your life,
here or elsewhere, have any intimate
relations with her?" asked the reporter.
II can most solemnly say that l
never had. The last time this woman
was here was during last fall, when she
stopped over night at our house, and at
that time was in Cincinnati"
Mr.. Chenowith then gave circum-
stantialnarrativ OF tho woman's history
which was anything but compliment.
tary.
He then stated that he fell i'll, and
was "out OF his head, and said and did
many things under the influence OF
morphine, OF which he had no recollec-
ton. He did not recall the visit OF Rev.
Mick, presiding elder OF tho district,
who presented his resignation which he
signed He said that nothing during
illness was clear to him, and claimed to
be suffering when the reporter was talk
ing to him.
CASE OF SPITE.
"This charge against mo-" said Mr..
Chenowith, with a sigh, ~ think is a
case of spite. am clear in my con-
science in regard to the matter. and
think it was instituted by persons
inimcal to me. Ny wife is now an in
valid, and it is my purpose to leave this
city us soon as possible. will prob
ably go to Kingwood, and there await
u call to another field,
Since Mr.. Chenowith resigned Rev. B.
n. Johnson has occupied the pulpit and
conducted the week night services with
great success, and is much liked by his
congregation.
Mr.. Chenowith has an cnviable repu-
tation in the Methodist church OF West
Virginia. He began his career as pas
tor OF the Elizabeth, Writ county,
church, at the age Of twenty-five years,
and after filling number OF important
appointments in the gift of the bishop
was selected as presiding elder Of the
Morgantown district, which office he
held for six years, residing at Palatine,
Marion county. In 1891 he was APP
pointed to the pastorate OF the North
street NJ. L. church. He has an inter-
esting family OF eight children, and is
forty.two years OF age.
SOMETHING OF A cLINcHER.
An INTELLlGESCER inquisitor APP
preached one OF the trustees OF the
North Street NJ. L. Church, last night
and asked him what was the ground
work Of the charges against Mr.. Cheno-
with. He was very reluctant to answer
at first, but finally said they came from
a Knights OF Pythias lodge OF Marion
county. and that they we're conclusive.
Mr.. Chenowith, on being Questioned
about this phase of the matter said he
had received notification OF the charges,
but that he was unable to DO present
on account OF sickness and his case
went by default.
Oystersi Oystcrsi
Low prices has made business boom
and We incan to keen il I'm. Remem-