Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1903-01-29
LETTER TO THE PUBLIC.

To tie People Of WAii1OeH and NeiMity;
Certain reports damaging to my char
acter and to my church, which have re-
Gently been put into circulation by
some evil disposed person or persons,
have just been brought to my attention
for the first time by members of my
church and hasten to reply to them
through our local press do not know
when, where or by whom they originat-
ed and will quote them as given me by
friends. They are TO the effect that
several years ago there was in Sequa-
chee Valley minister Of the gospel,
who was dissipated man and great
debts in South Pittsburg for whiskey,
which he refused to, or did not pay.
Also that he went away leaving debts Of
various kinds behind him. This may
all be true for know nothing to the
contrary; but these reports further
state that said dissipated clergyman
has returned to the Valley in the per-
son of the present pastor OF the M. E.
Church, South, in Whitwell, and is now
here under an assumed name.
Ireply by branding this as a libelous
report and falsehood of the vilest char
acter, which to my belief is merely in
tended as blow at our Church more
than for any other purpose. If sue
ceed in obtaining the name Of the or
iginator with evidence against him l
will compel him to prove his statement,
or will prove what he is, and show
him up in his true colors to the public.
II find out who he is, his blow at
me and my church will prove boom
erang that will return to his own in
jury, rather than me or my church.
came here total stranger to this
part of the world, not knowing even
the name of single individual in this
valley. l was sent here by Bishop
Morrison of my church and, prior to re
ceiving my appointment, l did not know
that such town as Whitwell existed il
the State. moreover did not seek th'
appointment for, as l before stated,
did not know of such place until | re
ceived letters from my Bishop and Pre-
siding Elder.
1t was explained to me that our Con
ference was in need Of preachers and
consented to come.
At the time l received my appoint
ment had completed arrangements t.
take work in another Conference AM
had no thought of taking work in th
Holston Conference.
After learning that preachers wer
needed here more than where was a
that time decided to come here. Whel
l arrived was an absolute stranger
and knew no one, and nothing whatso
ever OF this part of the State excep
such information as was given m
through letters from my Bishop an
Presiding Elder. | came here witt
credent tials from my Church and Confer
ence and letters OF recommendation
from Bishops and Presiding Elders, ais
from prominent clergy who have know
me since was a boy and who kno'
both me and my family quite we'll
have produced letters from the Bisho
who ordained me showing that l haV
had continuous work as pastor, in m
Conference, for a period of eleven year
extending to the month of April, 19O&
have all necessary proofs to show ho'
and where have spent my time sine
then. l will moreover produce hun
dreds Of witnesses to prove that neve
was in the State of Tennessee before
acting as minister or clergyman, an
especially as a "dissipated one." l vii
also prove clearly to all what my OF
cupation was prior to entering the mir
istry, 1891. l have lotters Of recon
mendation from men high in the Churc
and in other vocations who have know
me and my family for fifteen year
and will furnish an abundance Of proc
to prove that these reports are who'll
libelous in their character,
came here with a view Of maxim
my home in southeastern Tennessee,
the bounds of the Holston Conferenc
II pleased. 1t has been my intention
/ purchase a home in this part Of ii
= State but if this is the way strange
are received, the inducements to do
|. are not very fiattering.
AS an not q refugee or alien,
behooves me to return to my form
home and Conference, (the door
which is still open to me- as soon as
prove to you how falsely l have be-
represented, and have completed Il
work now have on hand BE assurr
Q I shall not leave here till have pro
: ed myself clearly to be innocent Of 1
r. these vile reports. 10 learn Of al
IS more such reports being put out shi
.e leave no stone unturned that shall te
- to bring the author to justice, and W
give him the opportunity to compile
his work in the Court House Of Mari
County. We will assume that this p
son, whoever he is, has some ready ca
d, be wishes to dispose OF, and II be has
II is taking a step in the right directI
Y. to get rid Of some Of It, for IL must 50
Sc lH cost him something II ascertain y