Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-12-08

without destruction OF the Dynasty.
The agreement now reached points to
an early military evacuation of Pektn
and a return Of the court to that CAPT.
tai.
GATTIS VS.. KILe0.
Story Of the Trouble That Is Disturbing North
Carolina Methodists.
This Is the most remarkable family
quarrel that has ever disturbed North
Carolina Methodists. 1t has created
considerable interest in South Carolina,
for Mr.. Kilgo was brought up in this
state and was an instructor in Wofford
college short time. Close observers in
the quarrel claim~that it has already
brought about a decided. If not bitter
partisan feeling amongst North Caro-
lima Methodists. The beginning Of this
unfortunte affair came about In this
way. Soon after Mr.. Kilgo was elected
president of Trinity college, some of Its
friends began to feel as If mistake
had been made. After he had been
there about two years resolution was
offered in the board Of trustees to elect
the president and professors Of the COL
lege every fifth year instead Of every
year. Objection was made to this and
after considerable discussion the res
olution was voted down. In that dis
cussion, Judge Clark, trustee, stated
that the resolution emanated from
President Kilgo, who felt that his In
|fiuence and popularity were on the
wane and that he desired to secure In
that way a five years tenure or the
presidency. He also stated that the
president was noted clerical Wire
puller who always raised trouble when
possible. Mr.. Kilgo being a ready
fighter, and never fearing to strike
back, determined to settle Judge Clark.
An investigation Of his charges was
made. The committee was self-ap-
pointed, or selected from Mr.. K1lgo's
friends. Clark found himself In the
minority and was forced from the board
of trustees. During that investigation
Mr.. KiIgo appeared before the commit
tee in his own defense. He spoke for
two hours or more and was at his pest.
The address was a splendid exhibition
of satire, ridicule and invective. His
main attack was on Mr.. Gattis, q
preacher, who had been a colporteur
for North and South Carolina. He also
had a book and stationery store at Dur
ham. Mr.. Gattis had given testimony
before the committee supporting Judge
Clark's statement as to the adrolt
manner in which Mr.. Kilgo was accus-
toned to pull Methodists wires. In his
address Mr.. Kilgo was especially Sc
we're on Gattis. John Randolph, IN his
best days, could not have strengthened
the epithets of Trinity's president, un-
less he had thrown in a few GOOD,
strong, "Old Virginia expressions 80
proud was the president and committee
Of their triumph over Judge clark ana
the almost unanimous setting aside OF
his charges as to Mr.. Kilgo's being
scheming wire puller, that 1t was con-
sidered wise to publish the investiga-
ton proceedings in pamphlet form. VI
course Mr.. Kilgos speech was includ-
ed. That pamphlet was the basis OF
the suit for damages. Mr.. Gattis claim
ed that his business was seriously IN
jured by statements made In that ao-
dress and that his character for verac-
ity. honesty and every manly quallty
and Christian grace had been assalled.
He brought suit against Mr.. K1lgo, Mr.
Duke, a son Of the original Duke, and
a Mr.. Odell, Of Concord, who were in
strumental in the publishing of that
pamphlet. About dozen or more
prominent law firms were employed.
About IA lawyers were actively engag-
ed on the case. The amount claimed
was 100000. Judge doke presloed.
The trial began Thursday, November
%. and a verdict was reached Satur-
day, December l.. after 10 days. The
Judge made a charge an hour and
half long. The jury brought In YER
dict for $4,000 in favor of the plain
tiff. It seems that If there was any
difference of opinion amongst them IL
related only to the amount and not 10
the question Of libel. Mr.. k1lgo put up
no witnesses in defense, although ne had
a large number present and one OF MS at
torneys had made two or more VISITS 10
this state and had taken numerous ar
fidavits proving that he had never been
a wire-puller or a strife maker IN the
South Carolina conference. But none
Of this testimony was used at the trial.
It was evident that his attorneys ex-
pected an adverse decision, for they
laid the grounds of appeal at every
step. Mr.. Kilgo and his friends return
ed to Durham on Friday, not waiting
for the closing arguments and verdict.
The students in a body met him and
gave him assurances that they would
trust him and stick to him in his trou-
bles. To their manifestations of 10y
atty he made fitting reply. An appear
will be taken to the supreme court OF
the state. Aside from the individuals
interested in the case, the whole afa1r
has been from it's inception a great
stumbling block to Methodists in North
Carolina. The appeal and consequent