The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-04
FORDHERE FOR TRIAL.
HE TRAVELS DAY AND NIGHT TO
ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.


of Procedure Ends With n speech
From Him-Committee Appointed
ia Try Him-Methodiist View of
Politics.
Special Dispatch 10 the Post Intellisencer.
EVERETT. Sept. 3.-The w T. Ford
case occupied some time in the NJ z. con-
ference this morning. Mr. Ford arrived
TINS morning on the Great Northern over
land from Montana, where he has been
engaged as general organizer OF the En-
COMMENT work Of the Knights of Pythias.
When he received the notice OF the find
ings OF the invests eating committee he had
NOT enough money 10 pay his fare one
third OF the way back. He endeavored TO
pawn his watch. that he could reach Sc
attic in time for that hearing. but could
not get sufficient funds. even with that as
sistance. The next best thing was TO con-
tinue work, which he did, hoping TO be
able TO reach here in time for the confer
ence. He started at the earliest possible
moment, and arrived this morning. He
aiighfed from a street car within a half
block of where the conference was in ses-
sion, and walked hurriedly into the audi
forum. There was something of a SEN
ruption of business.
The story of the Case.
The story in brief is that the young girl
acted strangely and that a friend accused
her of having intimate relations with DR.
Ford. which she confessed. She was at
that time at Port Blakeley. This friend
told an older sister OF the girl. who con-
suited with friends. An attorney went 10
Rlakeley and took her affidavit which
covers four pages of legal cap. but is not
proper 10 appear in print. This was filed
with Presiding Elder Wilmot Whitfield
who appointed Rev. A. NJ. Randall. jr.
Rev. w. Fl. Selleek. Rev. J. w. Wilson
and P.v. ]. NJ. Miller to hear the case. In
this investigation ]. NJ. Miller by request
of Mrs. Ford, represented the accused.
The finding was his suspension. When he
received this report he sent TO Elder Whit
field his withdrawal from the ministry and
the church.
Mr.. Ford claims that the friend of the
girl who first approached her Is the ins;i-
gator of a conspiracy. and claims that he
can show by credible witnesses that such
is the case. The girl in question arrived
in company with an older sister, on the
coast line train this morning.
The conference convened this morning
at $50 O'Clock for its fifth days session.
DR.. Hammand, of San Francisco. agent
of the Methodist Book Concern, led the
devotional services. The statistical re-
ports were continued from yesterday.
The totals will not be compiled before
morning.
Debate on the Ford Trial.
The election Of select number TO
try the W. T. Ford case was next in
order. AS soon as ii was announced by
Bishop Foss II. p. Brown. who was ap-
pointed at yesterdays session to repre-
sent the church. arose and asked 10 have
Ford's letter of withdrawal read. This
was done by the secretary. j. W. Miller
counsel for the accused. then presented
a request 10 have the same withdrawn.
This was refused by the chair. His rul-
ing was that the conference had no turis-
diction in the matter; that by vote of
the conference yesterday the case had
virtually gone 10 the jury as far as all
papers which might affect it were con-
cerned.
Mr.. Miller then stated that his object
was that they wished 10 go to trial with
Mr.. Ford's relation TO the conference the
same as If no such letter had been writ
ten. also that accused's witnesses are not
in the city and that Il would rot be pos
sible for them to be here before Monday.
The bishop ruled Mr.. Miller ont of order,
saying that he would only entertain
motion TO reconsider the action of the
conference to refer the whole subject TO
a select number.
Ford Ready for Trial.
At this point Mr.. Ford addressed the
chair. saying that while he could not
at that time take the time of the con-
ference TO explain. he was here m the
earliest possible time. He had not had
his clothes of for sixty hours. 1t would
be impossible for him TO have witnesses
here before Sunday morning, and he
could net make any defense before that
time. He. however, stated that he was
perfectly willing to rest this matter of
time with the gentlemen elected 10 try
the case. The following named members
of the conference. the list being first APP
proved by the accused's counsel, were
elected as trial members:
r. 4. Fahs A. Anderson. ". s. Cosper,
w. II. Leecn. T. l.. Dyer ]. NJ. p. Nick
erson. r. NJ. Wheeler. C. O. Freeman.
y. J. Hoadley. ]. r. Lovejoy. S. 2. Bro
kaw, +. s. Pearson and W. 5. Benadom.
The case goes TO trial this afternoon
at o'clock in the Danish church
The accusing witness was placed on the
stand this afternoon in the presence OF
the trial members Of the conference. and
told her story TN detail. substantially as in
her affidavit before the investigating COM
mittee, Mr. Ford pleaded not guilty. The
case was then adjourned until . O'Clock
held behind closed doors
Or. Smith then addressed the confer
cnce on the general workings Of the Mis-
s!cnary Society He brought the house
down by reference 10 the Republican
nomination for governor I'm Iowa tie
said that Iowa had just nominated a
magnificent Methodist layman for gov
ernoT and that he has sent him a dis
patch, the first word Of which was
glory" and the last words were MAY
YOU be elected by an increased majority
He liked 10 see Christians take an active
part IN politics. from the White House
down
Or. Hammond OF San Francisco. then
presented the claims OF the Methodist
FCck Concern.
br. Drivers Last Lecture.
A. o'clock Dr. Driver delivered his
lest lecture before the Itfrerants' club
the suh1ect being Mira Giles" He leaves
the city tonight for home. When i'm
poTiuUed 10 remain longer he said that
their conference opened on Monday and
that he had rot missed the first roll call
81 thirfy-two years and that he did not
wait n begin N backShde In mis- old age
Eng No Longer n Tru~tv
John Ems Is IN jail oncs more He has