Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-01-15
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from Pulpit IL Saloon. f.
2I. ZS EsE


Rev. George K. Mcdonald, formerly
pastor of the Bethel Baptist church at
Kalamazoo Mich, has opened saloon
in Brooklyn, n. Y.
Back of this action on the minister's
part there is love story.
M Mcdonald was the most popular
pastor in Kalamazoo. He became in
fatuateC with a member of his flock.
This young woman, Miss Leila Will
cox, called at his study so frequently
that a scandal resulted.
The ceacons of the church began
'shadOwing" their pastor. What they
found out caused them to demand his
resignation. He gave it willingly, and
then left Kalamazoo. Miss Wilcox
also disappeared. A few days ago the
Rev. Mr.. Mcdonald opened a saloon.
This condition of affairs has caused a
scandal such as Kalamazoo has never
before known.
Mr.. Mcdonald came here ten years
ago from the Morgan Park Theolog-
zeal seminary in Chicago. At that
time the Beth, Baptist church was
a struggling parish, hardly stronger
than mission.
1t was located in the northern part
of the city, in the midst of factories
WOrkin2men and those in modest cir
cumstanCes were it's parishioners. It
was weak in numbers and poor in
property.
The Rev. Mr.. Mcdonald set out to
build it up. He organized a good
choir, end, as he was himself fond of
singing, he encouraged this branch of
the work. His wiIe presided at the
organ. Occasionally he would intro
duce AL innovation, such as an or
chestra or a violin solo. He made all
the church societies active bodies.
He published the subjects of his
sermons. They were along such titles
as The Prodigal Son and Where Is
My Boy Tonight? When the latter SER
mon was preached he had Mark
Hayne, a Kalamazoo college student
picture out the story with a stereopti-
con, and thrilling, indeed, were the
views thrown on the screen of young
men who stood before the bar pouring
liquors down their throat while moth
ers Wept
such methods as these won. It was
but short time until the reverend
gentleman was one of the best-known
and most popular in the city. During
his pastorate which lasted six yeats,
he rebuilt the church edifice and added
365 names to the church rolls. Among
those whom he immersed were Charles
Ganzell who at the time was at the
height of his fame as star catcher of
the Boston league club, and his brother
John, who has since achieved almost
an equal reputation with various
league teams. So far as known, these
men have ever since been consistent
Christians, even to the extent of re
framing from swearing at the umpire,
no matter what the occasion.
Beginning of the Scandal.
While the pastor was at the Height
of his popularity certain members of
the flock accused him of being too
liberal He offered to leave the church
and his resignation was voted down.
but in this instance minority became
stronger than the majority. In the
middle of January, 1898, Mcdonald
quit the parish and went to Syracuse.
From there he accepted a call at Long
Island City, and he has recently left
that charge to open a saloon.
Bethel Baptist church, although now
again firmly established, was nearly
disrupted by the fight brought on over
McDonald's affairs. 1t was rebuilt
from its original small size during his
passionate, and is a modern structure
surrounded by houses Of the commoner
sort, with large shed in the rear. In
the rear also is an entrance to the
pastors study. and it was through
these doors that Mcdonald and a
young woman, said to be Miss Wilcox.
emerged one night, to be greeted by
three sober-faced deacon8 Of the
chu. CHI.
Before this the young minister had
been regarded as a model of piety.
Even now it is safe to say that a
majority of his congregation would
gladly recall HI as pastor. so strongly
did he influence them. 1t is said that
he possessed almost a hypnotic power
over the youngec element.
The poverty Of the church caused
McDonald's exposure Indirectly it
led to the dismissal from the church.
when It was just blossoming into a
prosperous religious organization. That
particular winter, however. finances
were low. The trustees and deacons
decided to cut down expenses by doing
the janitor work themselves.
While out late one Saturday even
ing, preparing the church fires for the
next day, Sidney Californian. one of
the deacons. who is also city supe. in
tendent Of the poor, discovered things
that did not look right. A Young
woman was in the study with her
pastor. She remained a long time. In
fact, it was very late before either
left. Subsequent occurrences con
filmed his suspicious and Californian
became positive that actions not
exactly ministerial were part of the
pastors role at times.
Californian told his suspicious to
William Frielinl, another deacon of
the church, and, although FrieIinlz
secuted the idea he finally consented
to join Californian and watch the
ministe~. Late one Saturday after
noon in November they took up posi-
tons near the church. The n1iniStnr