Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-06-24
A SCANDAL.
The Rev. Leigh Vernon and MRS. D. II
Pearson Believed to Have Eloped.

The Rev. Leigh Vernon and Mrs. j. Il.
Pearson Believed to Have Eloped.
A newspaper Is often called upon to
perform unpleasant not to say painful
duties. Sentiment never enters into
business or stands Ia the way OF duty
in newspaper work. The rumors that
have been rife on the streets during
the past several days regarding Mrs.
j. E. Pearson of this city and the Rev.
Leigh Vernon, the evangelist who re-
Gently conducted a series Of meetings
in Joplin, have demanded explanation
from the newspapers aud the entire
facts as known in the case will be
given. The Herald has taken pains TO
learn the truth in so far as anyone
knows II, and upon the information
secured from sources which are emil
nently reliable tho following facts are
published: On, Sunday, June a, Mrs.
John E. Pearson babe her husband
farewell and went to Pittsburg, kas.,
to visit her parents, Rev. and Mrs.
Sparks, of that city. She was ex-
pected home by her husband the next
Friday. but did not return. In response
to telegram to Pittsburg, Mr.. Pear.
son resolved word that his wife had
departed for home OIL Thursday even-
ing at 4 o'clock. He Immediately went
to Pittsburg and called upon her par
ents, but he found that the informa-
ton contained in the telegram was
true. His wife was missing and moth
ing was known of her wherea bouts.
II was learned that she had boarded
the Frisco train for Joplin. but when
the train reached the junction in the
suburbs OF Pittsburg she alighted With
her baggage, only small grip, and
since that nothing has been seen OF
her. She left no word, only telling her
parents that she was coming home to
joplin. 1t is believed she boarded the
west bound Missouri Pacific passenger
train the same night for the west. Mr..
Pearson and her father began investi.
cations at once and they learned that
which Immediately led them to believe
that the wife and daughter had eloped
with the Rev. Leigh Vernon. How
they came by these facts II Ia not our
purpose to state. That Mrs. Pearson
and the Rev. Vernon had both disap.
peared at the same time was a fact.
kilograms were sent to all persons
near to Vernon who would be likely
to know his whereabouts, but 10 intel
ligence of him could be elected. Yer.
non departed from Joplin on the Mis-
souri, Pacific north bound passenger
train on the afternoon of Thursday,
June l. A Herald reporter talked
with him just before he boarded the
train. He said he was going 10 Lamar
to join his wife and children aud that
they would 60 thence to Los Angeles,
California, to spend the summer and
thence to Sedalia to iuaugurate a series
of meetings. About six months ago
Mrs. Pearson was visiting her parents
in Pittsburg and while there she met
Vernon who had come 10 that city for
the purpose of arranging to hold re-
vival. Later, when Vernon was hold
ing the meetings Mrs. Pearson went to
Pittsburg and remained during the re-
vival. She and Vernon met every day
and they grew to be fast friends, or,
the feeling may have been stronger
than friendship. When Vernon left
Piltsburg and Mrs. Pearson returned
to her home in Joplin she and Vernon
maintained a clandestine correspond
ence. Some of these letters which
have been found are said 10 be criml-
mating. When Vernon came to Joplin
early in May to hold evangelislic
meetings he was armed with u letter
of introduction and recommendation
to Mr.. Pearson from Rev. Sparks OF
Pittsburg and he was introduced into
his family by prominent gentleman
of this city. lie was, OF course, cor
daily received, and became constant
visitor. Every day no visited the
Pearson home and always IN the abb
sence of the husband. One morning
Mr.. Pearson had occasion to return
home after something he had forgot
tell and he found the doors locked.
After long and continued knocking he
was admitted by his wife and found
Rev. Vernon in the parlor. Both were
very much excited and disconnected.
Mrs. Pearson explained that Vernon
was making pastoral call. AT the
time the unsuspecting husband
thought nothing of it. Now, however,
there seems TO be direct evidence OF
criminal relations. So apparent were
Vernon's attentions to Mrs. Pearson
that the subject was introduced by
two of the ministers before the Pas.
tors Alliance one day aud it was
thoroughly discussed, but it was
thought that nothing was wrong
Vernon departed from Joplin on
Thursday, June l, and Mrs. Pearson
on Sunday, June 4. 1t Is believed
that they met either al Pittsburg or
at some point west, and these are the
l..