The San Francisco call., 1897-09-08
DR.. RBA HIS RESIGNED.
Some of the Sunday Scholars
Did Not Enjoy So Much
Attention.
Was Fond of Showing Affection to
Some of the Little Girls at
Church.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, /
o1S Broadway. Sent. 7.

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,l
90S Broadway, Sept Z.
Rev. John Rea, assistant pastor of the
First PRESBYTERIAN Chuch, has resigned,
and is now in Los Angeles. The oircum-
stances preceding his resignation are be-
ing kept in the background, but for sew
eral months rumors not favorable to him
have been freely circulated, and on one
occasion a little scene was witnessed in
the church parlors that nearly caused an
unpleasantncss just previous to the Chris
tian Endeavor Convention.
Several weeks ago Rev. John Rea went
for a holiday, and 1t was rumored that he
would not return. He came back how
ever and resumed his duties at the
church, but the same feeling of dlstrust
was exhibited by several mem bers OF the
congregation and he secured a months
leave OF absence and wen to Los Angeles.
For many years Mr.. Rea has been
prominently connected with church work
in Oakland, and at one time was the direc-
tor OF he orchestra in the First Congrega-
ton Church. He it was who organized
the cele brated Congregational orchestra,
which has just severed all connection
with the church. About a year ago he
was engaged by the First Presby terian
church coming here from little church
in Mill Valley. He has also ssrved in DR..
Mack enzes church in San Francisco.
Rea has been twice married and is
man of family aud about so years of age.
For some months parents of the Sunday
school children have noticed that he ex-
pressed a great fondness for the little girls
and was very free kissing aud fondling
them.
He showed a desire to appear very
fatherly and tender in his manner toward
the older girls and this caused pronounced
opposition on their part. They showed
reluctance to attend Sunday school or
Christian Endeavor meetings.
A few days prior to the Christian En-
deavor Convention an officer of the
County Union had occasion to go to the
church to get Christian Endeavor banner
He was surprised to sec Rev. Mr.. Rea put
ting his arm around a young lady. the
daughter of an ex-schooI director, who
clearly resented his attention. The differ.
ence in their ages was considered 10 justify
the excuse that the old man was merely
showing little fatherly attention.
This "fatherly attention" increased as
time wore on and many of the girls re-
sented 1t. The matter was mentioned to
him, but he swore solemnly that he had
never forgotten the dignity of his Office
and denied all the rumors.
Nothing of a serious nature is charged
against the late assistant PASTOR but
many mem bers have no hesitation In say
ing that he was indiscreet.
says that Mr. Rea's resignation is in the
hands of the Board OF Elders and will be
acted upon within two weeks.
Secretary F. S. Pag of the Board of
Elders begged to be excused from speak
ing. He merely said that he did not wish
to refer to the relations of Mr.. Rea with
the church officers for fear OF making it
unplea SAINT for some one.
Three Inquests.
OAKLAND. CAL, Sept. THE Coroner
held three lnquests Tonight. A number
of witnesses came over from San Fran
cisco to testify in the case OF August John
son, mate of the Irmgard. Detective
Ellis came with Three-fingered Jack BEN
jamin, but the latter did not testify. The
Jury returned an open verdict.
Tne inquiry into tie death of John
| Cummings, who died while on his way to
the hospital from saloon fight, revealed
! nothing new. DR.. Buteau testified tnat
the heart of the deceased was such
| that he would have died had he rolled off
| q chair.
J. Phillips, who struck him, is in GUS
tOQy and was at Ino inquest. verdict
was brought in that the death of the de.
ce ased was accelerated by blow, but did
not say by whom.
Poisoned by Melons.
OAKLAND, CAL, Sept. THE entire
family OF Mrs. Mae Mauvais, who lives a.
266 Thirteenth street, has been poisoned
by eating muskmelons and some of the
mem RS have rot yet recovered.
They had melons last night, and to-day
were taken with hemorrb ages and sinking
spells A doctor was hastily summoned
and has been working over them all day
to-day. The condi ion of f. Z. Watson a
broker, who is a son-in-law of Mrs. Mau.
vafs, was considered dangerous tonight.
Mrs Mauvais is prominent member OF
Ebell Society.
Wanted Free Tickets.
OAKLAND, CAL, Sept. THE Main
circus manager appeared before the City
Council tonight and complained III at
License Collector Cole went 10 the tent
week ago when the circus was in this
city and demanded 100 tickets and when
they were refused threatened to make
arrests If another license fee of $1OO was
not paid.
1t was paid under protest. The matter
was referred 10 the Mayor to invest tigate
The Milk Ordinance Lost.
OAKLAND, CAL, Sept. THE milk
ordinance came up before the Council to-
night and was lost by a vote of to S.
Councilman Cuveliier. one of tue authors
of the ordinance, was absent.