The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-02
PASTOR SHORTS
STATEMENT,
Says He. Did Nothing but
His Duty.

The Rev. Burgette Short make
the following statement in reply I
the article printed by the REPUBL
CAN yesterday:
"During the almost ten years tina
have been in the city l have trie
to be law abiding citizen, and t
conduct myself in manner becon
ing to my profession. But it no.
seems that l am guilty of a most SC
rious charge, and that I may be mos
severely dealt with at the cominI
session of the Wilmington Conferenc
For what? Marrying Charles E!lio
and Virginia Hollis.
"Yes l married them, but l di'
not know at the time that Judg
Churchman was holding them In bal
charged with any crime. The sim
pie facts in the case are: Julian G
Walker, Esq, with the boys fathe
and the girls mother Che only living
parents of either of them) came t.
my house by engagement with Vir
gina anu NllafleS.
"Before performing the ceremon!
l Iasked Virginia: "Doyou love Charle
and want to marry him? She an
swered Yes. Speaking to Charles
I sad: 10 you love Virginia, ant
want to marry her?.'
"IIc replied Il do. Then address
ing Alfred l.. Elliot, the father o.
Charles, asked: Are you willing fol
CHARLES to marry this girl?' He re-
piled I am Finally l asked Mrs
Ewton, the mother Of the girl: 'Dt
you want Virginia to marry this
man?' She replied 4 do, in order to
save her from disgrace.
"The foregoing or words to that
effect, is the conversation that took
place before the ceremony was per.
formed in the presence OF the above
named witnesses.
ain thus doing l have not violated
any law or canon OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church or any statute of
the state of Delaware, for the icen Sc
which tney gave me, or any ordained
minister of the gospel, the right to
marry Charles Elliott and Virginia
Hollis.
Presiding Elder Robert Watt is OF
the opinion that Pastor Snort has
not violated n law OF Delaware or a
canon of the Methodist Church. In
the opinion of the presiding elder,
no charges before the conference Can
lie the outcome Of the marriage.
Usually in conference the name OF
each minister is called by the bishop,
and if there is nothing against his
the presiding elder SO not,
ifcs the bishop and conference, and
TIE minister's character is passed.
Presiding Elder Watt evidently does
not consider the performing OF the
ceremony that united Vlrg inia Hollis
and Charles Elliot a sufficient OASIS
for charges.
Solicitor Re,phardt has ben
couierrins Ni,h snI,e in''nenta:
Methodists about the marriage OF
the child bride. lie thinks justice
was thwarted by the ceremony at
which Mr.. Short otficiated. and Will
have the matter la d before the min
listers in conference assembled.
Mr.. Reinhardt does not Contend
That Pastor Short was aware that
Elliott was out on bail pending a
hearing a hearing when he was
married. but be is firmly OF the
opinion, that the marriage OF the
couple. under the circumstances,
blocked the progress OF
he law.
Pastor Short admits he welded
Inc couple, but he did so with the
iull consent OF the living parents OF
both, and in their prese nee, and at
he time he says he did not know
he case was pending in the courts
,r he would out Of professional
have declined to perform
he ceremony. He is sure he ana
lot violate a law Of the State of
Delaware, or Of the Methodist Epls-
.opal Church, and he has no oblec-
ion to the case being brought to
he attention OF Conference.
Virginia Hollis, Is years OF age
and Charles Elliott. 10 years OF
,rc. were married by the Rev. r.
B. Short at his home on Dec. ~.
Afew days before Elliot had been
Lrrested on an accusation OF nav
ny improper relations with Virgin
a, and he was hauled into court.
lie engaged Julian G, Walker as
counsel. and the latter pleaded
With Judge Churchman tor a con
inuance Tor three days. which was
granted.
In the meantime the couple con-
etved the idea Of becoming mar
led, for such step wou d termi-
ate the case against Elliott with.
ut Elliott's liberty being jeopar-
llzed further in the courts. Mr..
Walker arranged with Pastor Short
o marry the young couple on Dec
8. the day previous to that on
which Elliott was to have a hear
ng.
Accompanied by the mother OF
'irginia and the father OF Elliott,
he Young couple went to Pastor
shorts house. They submitted a
marriage license made out and 49,
ued in legal form, 10 the minister.
Parental consent was given ana
he ceremony performed.
On the morning of December 10,
1hen Elliott's case was called by
,ldgc Churchman, Mr.. Walker moved
or his dismissal, as the girl, then
lrs. Elliott. could not he compelled
o give testimony in the case. Her
tatements incriminate her husband,
nd under a statute of the state she
ould not be compelled to testify
yainst him. Judge Churchman inn
lcdiately realized that the girl could
ot be compelled to make her state
lents, although her testimony was
essential if the case was to
e prosecuted successfully.
lie was indignant that such means
hould have been employed to termi-
ate the case. and instead of dismiss
ng the matter at once, he postponed
urther act ion, in order that he might
onsult some of the laws to ascertain
whether or not all concerned in the
!, n rri a 90 could mt he summarized he.