The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-05
They STAY AWAY.
Persons Who Made the Vile
Charges Against
Rev. DR.. Embree, of the First
M. e. Church,
Conspicuous by Their Absence
at the Examination
HELD AT THE CHURCH
Friday Afternoon Many Minis
ters Are Present.
The Crith Negro Family Who
Started the Story
FAIL TO BE ON HAND.
The Crith Negro Family Who
Started the Story
FAIL TO BE ON HAND.
Chief Steele Testifies AS to
What His Officers Did.
Lawyer Welch Says He Advised
Paying the $500,
That DIR. Embree Wanted to
Fight the Charge.

AL 10 minutes before 2 o clock yesterday
afternoon the people interested in the
hearing of the charges against DR.. EN-
bree began to arrive at the First Meth
OdISt church.
Rev. d. E. Moore, pastor Of the Wal
nut Grove M. E. church was one of the
first to arrive and Rev. T. E. Chandler
OF the North Topeka church followed
soon after. The venerable c. Holman
of North Topeka and Rev. J. Dennfson
OF Oakland were early arrivals. Law
yer +. ID. Fuller was the first member
OF Dr. Embree's church to put in an ap-
pearance and he will conduct the exam
nation on behalf Of the church. Rev.
IL D. FISHER will also appear as ex-
aminer on behalf of the church Harri-
son ClarksOn of insurance rate bureau
fame, came early.
The early arrivals assembled in the
ladies' parlor but a little before 2
o'clock DR.. Embree appeared and re-
quested those assembled to go to the
lecture room. DR.. Embree appeared
composed though he was somewhat
paler than usual He wore a suit of
black and white tie. He appeared to
nave perfectly regained his usual digni-
ned composure which suffered a great
shock when the charges of the Criths
We're first made public.
Just before o'clock two co1ored wo-
men walked into the room, and all eyes
turned to them, suppOSing they were
the Criths, but they proved to be simp-
~ curiosity seekers. Chief of Police
Steele was one of the first witnesses to
ed him.
At 2:3O Presiding Elder J. r. Madison
arose and said that Rev. Mr. Dennison
would lead in prayer He made a short
supplication, in which he prayed for
strength for our afflicted brother
Rev. Mr.. Madison then stated that in
accordance with the discipline of the
Methodist church this meeting has been
called and the official board of the
church has been requested ito meet
with US while we investigate the
CHARGES 2 O9iTSf E1T1710 he ie
member of this conference
I would first like to have an affidavit
from the person who was charged with
serving the notices. he said.
John Rodgers was called and he was
sworn by c. H. Nettels. He said that
he had served all the notices. He read
the names Of the witnesses, including
the Criths and DR. /. A. Shields.
DR. Embree sat directly in front of
the witness stand and his attorney, R.
B. Welch sat directly behind him.
4 would like to know if we have an
official stenographer?'' said Rev. H. D.
Fisher.
Mr. Nettels will attend to that said
DR.. Embree, mo matter how fast we
Rev H D. Fisher then arose and
made the following preliminary state
ment:
This court is next in solemn import
ance to the Court of Heaven. Fully 49,
600 pastors and brother preachers with
two and one-half million Christian
MeJnOOlSCS are interested, ana a local
church membership of LOO of average
good people and citizens intensely inter
ested. We must not, we dare not for
get the solemn responsibility we have
toward a brother, DR.. Embree, and his
family.
I would much prefer Gas my public life
of so years shows be the defender of
an accused brother. This duty of the
hour has been thrust upon me, after an
earnest plea to be released from it.
ask therefore that the investigation be
conducted with that serious considera-
ton which the dignity of the court, the
solemnity of the occasion and the i'm
portance of the fearful and awful case
requires.
We request and demand that all ex-
traneous matter be scrupulously avoid
ed.
That a great crime has been commit
ted, none can doubt. That the effort to
hush it up and cover it up has resulted
in a greater crime, is to be deplored.
The question as to the guilt or inno-
cence of DR.. Embree, as TO the whole
question, must be vigorously inquired
into and ascertained.
Rev H. D. Fisher then called for the
first witness, Mrs. Crith.
There was no answer.
This witness was notified twice,
said DR.. Fisher
Mr.. Crith and VIM Eagleson were
called for with no better results.
I understand" said r. B. WEIGH,
that he said he would not come unless
forced to do So"
1--WE have no power to force anyone"
said Mr. Madison.
Chief Steele was then called and took
the stand.
Q.-What do you know about this
case?
A.-But little more than have seen
in the newspapers.
Q.-Have you heard anything from
other sources?
A.-Yes, I heard from the father this
morning.
Q.-What did the father say2
Ale said his daughter said on her
dying bed that he (witness did not spec
ify who was meant by 'the') was re-
sponsible for her condition and gave
her wine and champagne.
Q.-Have you the body of a child in
your possession? %ss,
A.-Yes.
Q.-Where did you get it?
A.-Some of my officers brought it
to me.
Q.-Where did they get it2
A.-They dug it up in d wood shed
at 1916 Harrison street.
Q.-Who lived there2
A.-The Criths did live there, but had
moved away when twas found.