The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-15
VOTED HIM OUT.
Horton Baptists Have an Excit-
ing Time.
Minister Deposed After a Lively
Session.

The people Of Horton are very much
excited over a division in the Baptist
church there. There was a lively time
at the church last night when the min
lister was requested to resign.
Rev. F. H Leonard went to Horton
from Chanute last October and took
charge of the Baptist church. He is a
middle aged man with light hair and
blue eyes and a convincing manner. His
doctrines are new and startling. He has
divided the church. Part Of the con-
gregation was led to believe that they
were too good and sanctified to associ-
ate with worldly people while the rest
think that he is far from being the kind
hearted, innocent teacher OF religion
that he pretends TO be- The divine is
accused of starting trouble between Mrs.
Myrtle Delano, organist Of the
church and her husband Her
husband is employed by the
Rock Island. After the divine
had told her that she was too good to
live with a worldly man like her hus-
band she left him and went 70 live with
her father and mother and the almost
distracted husband left the town She
is still the organist Of the church and
furnishes the music for the services.
Rev. Leonard is also blamed for in
ducing the scholars of the high school
chance of graduation because he told
them they were too good for their as
sOciates and should find more ethereal
people to associate with than the
scholars of the school.
This has brought about an investiga-
ton and Rev Mr.. Leonard's past mas
been looked into It has been ascertain
ed that he is man with q past but Just
what that past is will not be Known IN
til a board of three ministers inveSti-
gates him. Rev. Mr.. Leonard was ask
ed to call a meeting for the purpose OF
carrying on the inveSug legation He re
fused to call together his own execu-
TONERS Nine of the laymen urged him
to call the committee but he refused
On last Sunday Rev Mr. Leonard call
ed an altar meeting. The majority or
| the congregation went home. His follow
ers assembled around the altar and
when the opposition had gone his con-
/ stituents formed into business meet
+ ing and dismissed some OF the members
/ of the church who are against Leonard
/ Two other meetings were held by the
/ Leonard faction At the meeting held
/ Monday night the ants captured the
meeting and by vote OF Is TO A ne was
| requested to resign The deacOns of the
( church had called meeting for $50
( o'clock. When Rev. Mr. Leonard heard
/ Of that meeting he announced a gospel
I meeting for that time and the deacons
/ postponed their meeting until 9;15- His
+ services did not begin until 9-15 and
f when the deacOns tried to carry on a
{ meeting he ana the OISanlSl GCLlAllcACtO
[ to play and sing Key Mr. STANLEY from
+ Lyons came TO Horton as an evangelist
+ He was formerly Baptist but had gone
/ Over to the Christian denomination He
/ asked the Horton congregation on Sun
/ day evening to take him back to the folC
+ and he was Immediately taken in by the
/ minority but ousted by the majority,
I The deacons have ordered the church
closed until August / On May 81 they
T will pay Rev Mr.. Leonard all that IS
due him and request him to leave.
The deacons have taken the organ
from the preacher but he recaptured it
The deacons complained that the preach
er was causing trouble and called in tbs
city marshal who arrested the preacher
and took him away A woman tainted
! twice and was carried out. Between
/ faints she voted against the minister
It was one O'Clock in the morning before
the excitement was over.