Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-15
REV. MR.. w. A. M'WRIGHT DISAP.
PEARS FROM CAwkER CITY,kAS.
HIS PULPIT DECLARED VACANT.
POPULAR PREACHER WAS ADDICT
ED TO OPIUM HABIT.
His License to Preach Was Once Be-
fore Taken From Him Because
of DissipatiOn-Had Taken
the kceley Cure-Able
and Ambitious.

Downs. Kas.. Nov. 1i.-fSpecialD Rev.
Mr.. W. a. McWrisht. one OF the ablest and
nest popular preachers in this part Of the
state. has mysteriously disappeared. He de-
serted his pastorate OF the Methodist
church at Cawker City last Sunday morr-
irg. The following day he took tram
East. He told some that he was goi:.s -
an insane asylum: he informed others thas
he intended to visit his brother in Wis
Corsin. Since then not a word has bee:l
heard OF him. Mrs. McWright is still al
Cawker City and Is distracted over the dis
appearance of her husband. PRESIDING; H.
der Bull has declared McWriSht's pastor
ate vacant
The affair has caused a profound sensa-
ton in church circles of this district. W.
>. IIton, editor of the Downs Times, is an
old acquaintance of the missing preacher.
In discussing the action of McWriSht and
the causes leading up to it Mr.. Tilton re-
lates strange story. "McWright was
probably the most eloquent preacher il,
Western Kansas" said he. but he was L
victim of a morbid appetite for opium.
This unfortunate habit was contracted
when Mr.. Mcknight. years ago. worked
in a drug store in Minnesota. Once o.
ofteEer his license to preach has been TAX
en- from him as the result of dissipation.
There are intimations that he also lnduIsed
at times in the use of liquid stimulants.
But he was sociable, forceful man; and
on showing the undoubted disposition to rc
form. his parchments were gladly restored
10 him. Following period Of recuperaticn
at Abilene from physical and mental
breakdown, Mr.: McWright was placed IN
charge OF the NJ. +. church at Oberlin. He
remained there two years. acquitting him.
self with credit. He was then stationed at
osborne, where he remained another Two
Years. gathering laurels for fine ability ana
eloquence. 1t was from there that he was
transferred to Cawker City.
1t Is regarded as certain by those who
that he had all along continued the use
OF opium. and that 1t figured in the prepa-
ration OF his sermons and in their delivery.
me detection of his regular pursuit of the
opium habit was. doubtless. averted for
long time because of his having. In years
past, taken the Kelley cure. Where this
Nr, was known: IT was only reasonable to
its aim. Mr.. McWright, in view of his
large measure of ability. had the right to
De ambitious He was ambitious. He was
not unaware that he was, by many at
least, regarded as the most eloquent min
ister of his district. He felt that he was
entitled to larger charge than that at
Cawker City. He probably realized. also.
that IL was suspicion, not to say, knowl-
edge. of leading members of this confer
ence concerning his infirmity which operat-
ed to hold him back. 1t is charitable and
not unreasonable to believe that the sepsi-
tive spirit of MIR. McWright was clouded
with gloom resulting from complication.
1t may have had much to do with his in
creased use of the drug which had proven
to be his unrelenting foe.
I'm spite Of his troubles. 1t is said that
his church 1abors at Cawker City had been
elevatin8 In tone and satisfactory to his
parishioners. Some three months ago. how
ever. matters reached a crisis. He was in
terviewed and disciplined. but was permit
ted to continue his labors. Few persons,
even among his church members, knew
anything of this action.
The end o. his work at Cawker came
last Sunday forenoon, when he delivered a
sermon which was full of gall and worm
wood. He astounded his hearers. He lost
the Intellectual cord. He raved. He rant
ed. He denounced. At times his rage pro-
duced fncoherence of speech. When asked
afterward to hand over his parchments. he
declared that he had hidden them, and
that they would stay hidden"