The record-union., 1898-02-05
CHARGES ARE INVESTIGATED
REV. LESLIE r. DRAKE PLACED
ON TRIAL.
Serious Allegations. Against Him
Considered by an Arbitra-
ton Committee.

Some time ago charges were filed
against Rev Leslie r.. Drake, pastor Oh
the First Christian Church, and yester-
day he was arraigned before an Arpl-
tration Committee to answer to the
same.
The committee consists of Rev. j. n.
Garrison of ST Louis, editor OF the
christian Evangelist; Rev. John e
Hay of Woodland, and Rev. j. II. Nc
Cullough of Irvington, Alameda Coun-
ty, the last-named being chosen Mod
orator.
The trial was called yesterday after
noon, Elwood Bruner acting as attorney
for Rev. Drake, and w. w. Rhoads
looking out for the interests of Elder
Phillips and S. Culver, who seem to
have preferred the charges.
Nobody not directly connected with
the case was allowed in the room dur
ing the progress of the trial, and even
the witnesses were expelled as soon as
they had given their testimony. The
charges were given to the press, but re-
porters, together with the general pub
lie, We're allowed only in the ante-room.
The charges show that the official
board of the church. acting on the pow
erS granted to ii in the agreement with
the pastor requested the resignation
of Leslie r. Drake as pastor, in accord
ance with the terms or said agreement,
but the said Drake refused to resign,
and this board was thereupon COM
PEELED to and did declare the pastorate
vacant; but the said Drake refuses to
recognize and accept said dismissal, and
with the intent to deceive the members
of said church, and to cast odium and
discredit on this board, stated that TINS
board had entered into an agreement IN
writing with him, whereby he was
called as pastor of said church for the
term of one year unqualihedly, all or
which he we'll knew to be false and I'M
true
THAT the said Rev. Leslie r. Drake
has been guilty of making false state
ments, misrepresentation and decelV-
ing merchants and other business men
in this city. with whom he has had busl-
mess relations, viz: That the said Drake
in the month of September, 1897, rented
from one p. F. Scott a certain dwelling
house at the southwest corner of Four
teenth and n streets in this city, and
agreed to pay a certain monthly rental
therefor in advance; that the said
house for the term of two months, and
failed and refused to pay the rent there
for. and when the said Scott attempted
to collect said rent the said Drake used
coarse, angry and threatening language
toward the said Scott, and threatened
to draw a pistol and shoot the said
Scott
1T is further alleged that Drake is
indebted in a large sum of money to the
firm Of Jacox & Brothers, who do bust
ness in this city, and when pressed for
a settlement of the same, stated that
he Drake) was the financial hacker of
the Christian Benefit Association, and
that he had advanced large sums OF
money to said association, and that by
reason of the advancements SO made
by him he was unable to pay the in
indebtedness due said firm; whereas, in
truth and in fact the said Drake never
was the financial hacker, OF any hacker
of said association. and had never ad-
vanced any money whatsoever to said
association and the statements so made
by the said Drake We're false and I'M
true and made for the purpose of de-
ceiving said firm of Jacox & Brothers.
The charges also set forth that Rev.
Drake failed to keep a promise to set
tie with the firm, by saying that he
was confined to his home with sprain,
but that the statement was a subter-
fuge to deceive the firm; also that
while President of the Christian Ben
eft Association he rented a typewriter
for 81 a. month, although he stated to
the association that the machine had
been loaned to him without cost.
1t is further charged that Drake rep
resented to the board that he individ
ually would loan a large amount of
money TO the First Christian Church
for the purpose Of paying off a por-
ton of the Indebtedness owed by said
church. and that the representation was
made solely for the purpose Of deceiv-
ing the board, and leading it to believe
ne was a man of means. and thereby
increase his influence in the church
and advance his own interests. whereas,
in truth and in fact. Drake is heavily
involved financially unable to pay his
just debts, and was wholly unable to
advance or loan any sum of money to
said church.
1t is charged also that the said Leslie
r. Drake has made untrue. willful and
false statements to a representative
of the Evening Bee" of this city.
knowing lndt the Salu statements Would
be published and with the intent TO do
a great and irreparable injury to the
standing and character OF the brothers
of said church; that the said Leslie r.
Drake has made a false and unwar-
Iantabie attack upon Brother 5. :. Gull
Yer, by stating that the said Culver
had, in a rude. angry and ungentleman-
like manner. ordered the said Drake
from the rooms of the Christian Bene-
fit Association" and slammed the door
in his (Drake's) face, all of which he
well knew TO be false and untrue.
1t is charged. also. that the said Les
1ie r. Drake has been guilty of stating
a falsehood in this, that he has stated
that the Christian Benefit Association
had 5000 capital back of IT,
whereas. he knew the same to be false
and untrue; that the said Leslie Il.
Drake has been guilty of falsehood in
stating that he had not made promise
10 deliver lecture at Winters in said
State of California: whereas he we'll
knew he had made such promise.
The charge is then made that Leslie
r. Drake has been guilty of obtaining
money under false pretenses, in this,
viz:
'.A-That the said Drake claimed that