The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-15
KANSAS NEWS.
Rev. WA. Nc Wright Disappears
From Cawker City.
Popular Preacher Addicted to
the Opium Habit.
pHT, DFT TS VACANT
PULPIT is VACANT.
His Last Sermon Full of Gall
and Norwood.
License to Preach Once Before
Taken From Him.

Downs, Nov. 15.-Rev Mr.. w. A. Nc
| Wright, one of the ablest and most
| popular preachers in this part of the
| state, has mySteriOuSly disappeared
/ He deserted his passionate of the Meth
| Odist church at CaWker City one week
/ ago Sunday morning. The following
| day he took a train east. He told some
| that he was going to an insane asylum;
/ ne informed others that he intended to
| visit his brother in Wisconsin. Since
then not word has been heard of him.
Mrs. Mcknight is still at Cawker City
and is distracted over the disappear
anee of her husband. Presiding Elder
Bull has declared 1IcWright's pastorate
vacant.
The affair has caused a profound SEN
sation in church circles of this dis
trict. ". s TiltOn, editor of the Downs
Times. is an old acquaintance of the
missing preacher. In discussing the ac-
ton OF Mcknight and the causes lead
ing up to it MI TntOn relates u strange
story. "McWright was prOba bly, the
sas," said he, but he was victim of a
morbid appetite for opium. This IN
fortunate habit was contracted when
MI. McWright, years ago, worked in q
drug store in Minnesota. Once or Oft
ener his license to preach has been TAX
en- from him as the result of dissipa-
ton. There are intimatiOns that he al
50 INDUCED at times in the use Of
liquid StinulantS. But he was q SOci-
able, forceful man; and on showing the
undOubted disposition to reform, his
parchments were gladly restored to
him. Following a period Of recupera-
ton at Abilene from q physical and
mental breakdown, Mr.. Mcknight was
placed in charge Of the NJ +. church at
Oberlin. He remained there two years,
acquitting. himself with credit. He was
then stationed at Osborne, where he re-
NAMED another Two years, gathering
laurels for fine ability and eIoquence.
1t was from there that he was trans
ferred to CaWker City.
1T is regarded as certain by those
n
years that he had all along continued
the use of opium, and that it figured IN
the preparation of his sermons and in
their deliVery.The detection OF his reg
ular pursuit of the opium habit was,
doubtless. averted for q long time be-
cause of his having, in years past, tax
en- the Kelley cure. W mere this was
known, it was only reasonable to pre-
sumo that the cure had accomplished
its aim. Mr.. McWright, in view of his
large measure of ability, had the right
to be ambitious. He was ambitious.
He was not unaware that he was, by
many at least, regarded as the most Ell
Oquent minister OF his district He felt
that he was entitled TO a larger charge
than that at Cawker City. He proba-
bly, realized. also, that it was suspicion,
not to say, knowledge, of leading mem
bers Of this conference concerning his
inhrnity which operated to hold him
back. It is charitable and not unreal
sOnable to believe that the sensitive
spirit of Mr.. Mcknight was clouded
with 5ACollA UlttAlS nun com AAlteA t4OI4
It may have had much to do with his
Increased use Of the drug which had
proven to be his unrelenting foe.
In spite Of his troubles, it is said
that his church -labors at Cawker City
had been elevatinS in tone and salts
factory in his parishioners. Some three
months ago, however, matters Tqeched
a crisis. He was interviewed and dis
cipEned. but was permitted to continue
his labors. Few persons, even among
his church members, knew anything of
this action.
The end of his work at Cawker came
last sunday forenoon, when he deliV-
cred sermon which was full of gall
and NORWOOD He astounded his
hearers. He lost the intellectual cord.
He raved- He ranted He denounced.
At times his rage produced indifference
of speech. When asked afterward to
hand over his parchTnents, he declared
that he had hidden them, and that they
would stay hidden"