The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-14

Potwin Place. There have been several
chickering's about other matters in the
First church for some years, and there
is quite a sum total of dissatisfaction
which will scarcely cease until the two
opposing sections separate. As one of
the members said, THE First church is
so big that it is unwieldy."
The official board of the First church
met last night to conduct the usual bus
3ness of the church and no mention of
the present controversy was made. The
subject was carefully avoided
The friends of DIR. Embree claim two
reasons why the fight is being made on
him.
One Of the reasons is that DR. Thorpe
has been jealous of DR.. Embree's popu-
larity and thought that he was receiv-
ing more than his share of calls to Of
ficiate at weddings and funerals.
The other reason advanced is that
Mrs. Eliza Chrisman, a wealthy widow
living at 40 Harrison street. made a
will about year ago leaving all her
property of the Methodist church to be
used in founding a Methodist university
tn Topeka DR.. Embree was named in
the will as one of the executors and he
was to have charge of the estate for a
period of ten years on a salary of 81
500 a year His duties were to be as
promoter of the new university and he
was to endeavOr to raise an amount of
money equal to that left by Mrs. Chris
man before the university was started.
The claim of DR.. Embree's friends is
that certain parties endeavored to have
the will broken. Many of them argued
with her, but to no use and DR.. En- br6e
Is still named in the will as executor
to have charge of the estate. 1t is
claimed that the present charges were
worked up against DR.. Embree for the
purpose of DANA ging his character in
hopes that Mrs. Chrisman would be
convinced that he was not the proper
man to have charge of her estate and
would then change the will. 1t is
charged against DIR. Thorpe that he en-
deavored to defame DR.. Embree and to
have the will changed. The friends of
DR.. Thorpe deny that he has taken any
interest in the matter.
DR.. Embree's friends claim that when
he heard of the fight being made on him
he went to Mrs Chrisman and told her
that as there was some criticism
against him he was perfectly willing for
her to make a new will and leave him
out. This she refused to do.
One of the reasons given why DR..
Thorpe wishes to have the Chrisman will
changed is that he aspires to the presi-
dency of Baker university, at Baldwin,
or some other educational institution
and that if he could succeed in having
the will changed he might supersede
DR. Embree or that the endowment
might go to Baker university and if
done through his agency it would aid
him in his candidacy for president
should a vacancy occur
Some of the supporters of DR.. Embree
say that if he is found guilty at the trial
and If the opposition succeed in having
the will changed and DR.. Embree de-
posed as executor, that action will be
brought in the courts on account of the
injury that would result to him and
suit for damages would probably be the
result.
A. c. Campbell, a prominent member
or the church, said today: Il think
whatever the condition may be with DR..
Embree and whether he be innocent or
guilty the spiritual minded members of
tne church are rallying round DR..