St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-01-15
MCINDOE FALLS.
More Concerning Rev. 1r. MCGOWAN


Investigations are still being made con-
corning the past history of the Rev. A. S.
MCGOWAN, lately pastor OF the Congre-
gational church, concerning whose resig-
nation the CALIFORNIAN was the only
paper last week 10 give the real facts in
the case.
MIR. MCGOWAN left town last week
Friday and is probably in search OF a
new position. 1t was understood that
he was going to Boston, but whether he
did or not is not known. His wife, son
and daughter are still in town.
Last week, week OF PRAYER was to
have been observed in this place and
Monroe, alternating the meetings be-
tween Mr. McGowan's church here and
Rev. Mr. Frye's church in Monroe. Sat
urday. January 2, Mr. FRYE was in town
to consult with Mr. MCGOWAN concern
ing these meetings, but was told by the
latter that 1t would be impossible for
him to aid as he had Just banded in his
resignation to accept position in a
larger field and would have to leave
town Monday. 1t seems lie did not
go until Friday. The above incident is
cited simply to show that it appears an
easy matter Tor Mr. MCGOWAN 10 mis-
represent things.
While on the train last week Monday
Lawyer Hostord of his town fell into
conversation with Rev. S. A. Space of
Pike, n. Y. president of a Baptist Uni
versity. Among other things religious
matters were discussed and Mr.. Hosiord
spoke OF the trouble in his church at
home. Mr.. Space was at once interested
and said he knew OF similar case in
Baptist church at Cherry Greek, N. Y.
Upon further inquiries it was decided
that the same man was the cause OF the
trouble in DO h places. Mr.. Space said
that his resignation at Cherry Greek was
compulsory and gave Mr.. Hosiord some
addresses that the matter might be in
quired into. Mr.. HoStord did not return
until Saturday. He then told his storyto
the church authorities and Deacon Gil
christ at once sent two letters to Cherry
Creek. Thursday morning he received an
answer, which said that seven years ago
Rev. A. S. MCGOWAN was pastor OF the
Baptist church at Cherry Creek for about
a year, that he received a call to White
Pigeon, Mich, and accepted on account
of the salary, 81 900, which was more
than the Cherry Creek society could pay.
Concerning his pastorate at White
Pigeon little is known, but he stayed
there less than year and it is said that
he fell into bad repute and was compelled
to resign.
From White Pigeon, Mich, he went to
Cumberland Mills, Me-, changing his
creed from Baptist to Congregationalist
and his name from MCGOWAN to Martyr.
He stayed there until it was discovered
that his credential papers had the APP
pearance OF being forged and that he was
otherwise misrepresenting himself, when
he was again compelled to resign and
seek new fields. Before coming 10 Nc
lndoes he tried Johnson, VT, where he
preached under the name OF Martyr.
When he came to Mclndoes his name
was again MCGOWAN aud he said that
he was Presby terian but with lean
ing towards the Congregational church.
He evidently has a habit OF sizing up a
locality and then adopting name and
creed to suit the circumstances.
MIR. MCGOWAN in all probability is not
a regularly ordained minister. While in
Maine he sent to Scotland for his creden-
tidis, uIpii bNlHS iNHuSstSu ioi tHSiii' IL
is thought that he iorged them, sent them
over to Scotland and had them sent back
again. 1t was a round. about way to
get his credentials, but they had to come
from Scotland, the land OF his reported
ordination.
During Mr.. McGowan's stay here of a
year and eight months, he only missed
occupying the pulpit two Sundays, once
when he was SICK and once when he ex-
changed with Rev. Mr. Boardman OF
Barnet.
Just when, where and under what
name and creed the Rev. A. S. MCGOWAN
will next turn up the people OF this
section will in the future be interested to
know
At the meeting OF the Pew Holders
association OF the Congregation church,
held in the vestry Tuesday evening, the
11th, the following officers were elected
Ora Bishop, moderator; w. II. Gilchrst
| ,larl, naI t,aacurpr. GaA,na Gibson n,