West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-09-29
NOT WH1E-HASHED.
A Modern Joseph Comes 10 Grief.
The Rev. Charles White Dismissed
From the Ministry.


been in session here this week. was
the trial OF Rev. Charles l.. White,
ate pastor OF the Presbyterian
Church at Clarksbnrg. for his CON
nection with the Minnie Holmes
affair, the particulars of which have
been published in this paper aud
AL the other papers Of the State.
The tragic death Of the young
lady, n daughter Of ex Sheriff Mat.
thew Holmes, of Harrison county,
and the prominence of the families
OF both parties, made il "A matter Of
great public interest. Rev. White
and his brother, Rev. Prescott
White, pastor of the Presbyterian
Church at Weston, were here
throughout the session and left this
morning. The girls side was rep
resented by Hon. Alph Holmes, Of
Doddridge county, a brother to her
father. and by her brother-in. law,
Mr.. Horner, of Clarksburg. The
case was not formally taken up till
last night after the public meeting.
All outsiders were dismissed and
the Presbytery went into secret
session. Rev. White was called on
to come before the body and make
his statement, which he did, and
was rightly cross-examined by the
members. The cross-examlnation
brought out many points omitted
from the confession, which was
about the same as has been pub
lished heretofore in the papers,
and Was in substance as follows /:
Shortly after White assn med the
pastor ate of the church at Clarks
burg he began paying Miss Holmes
friendly attentions, which won the
young woman's love. He
aged her feeling for him through a
spirit of vanity, but later married
q young oma to whom he was
engaged during the time he was
paying attentions to Miss Holmes.
His marriage, instead of checking
the feelings of Miss Holmes. only
seemed to intensity them, and she
demonstrated that to him on nu-
merous occasions.
The matter kept up for a period
OF two years and eliminated in her
fatal visit To McKeesport, Pa,
where she telegraphed him to meet
her in Pittsburg. He did so, and
confesses that he spent two days
with her in a hotel there, registered
as man and wife. He says he spent
a night in her room, sleeping on a
rug OH the floor, and did this only
after continuous opportunities on
her part and fearful entreaties, and
then only because he thought her
mentally unbalanced and feared
some bad consequences if she were
left alone. He declares that at no
time during their friendship did
he ever have improper relations
with her.
His W to maRy Of the
questions were evasive or given
with great reluctance. After this
ordeal he was sent out to the Hotel
Gordon, Eea by, to wait, where he
could be summoned il they needed
him again. The roll was called
aud each member was required to
get up aud vote on the matter and
give his reasons for his decision.
This was rather heated and lively,
aud lasted till one O'Clock in the
morning, when the following off,
cial verdict was gwen out and the
session adjourned and most Of
them left for their homes this
morning.
FtND1NG or THE PRBsBYTBRY or
PABKERsBURe IN THE CASE or
TUE REV. @. L WHITE.
The Rev. G.. l.. White having,
before the P%resbytery, accused him
self Of indiscretion aud i'm morality.
and he having been hoard, the
Presbytery fnds that he is guilty
as so charged ~ OF indisci set con
duct in that he permitted and ca
couraged mtimacies with a female
meuIber OF bis congregation, which
we're wrong on the part Of a mar
ried man; 81 OF immortality
o.. la that be registered ct a
hotel. IN Pttsburg. with an an
married female as his wife; though
denying al criminal conduct with
her;
(b). 10 that on another occasion
and with the same companion, he
registered under an assumed name.