Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-06-06
REV.. A. C. SHEPHERD
WRITES GOVERNOR
Canton Minister Replies to the
Criticisms of His Estate
Institutions" Sermon.
HE RETRAcTS NOTHING
He Was Misguided in Regard to One
Statement, but Thinks Stories Arc
Worth investigating for the
States Good.

Canton, s. d., May 30.-Rev. A. c. Shep-
herd, pastor of the First Methodist
church of this city, this morning CAV
out the Following letter written in answer
to a recently published letter written TO
him by Governor Herreid:
Canton, s. d., May 27.-Hon. Chas. N.
Herre.d. Governor OF South Dakota
Dear sir: In reply to your recent official
letter to me In which you make inquiries
concerning certain statements reported TO
preached in my church in this city, l de-
sire to make q full statement OF the fact.
In the case.
AS to my sermon, which has caused
quite extensive comment, let me say hat
il was a discourse delivered in my pull
pit 10 my regular congregation. l took
occasion TO advise the young people of my
congregation TO exercise great care in
the selection of a college or university at
which to complete their education. !
called attention TO certain rumors circu-
N state institutions: made no whole
sale denunciation of the state institu-
lions, nor of the faculties connected with
them; 1t may be said that II is unfair to
deal In suspicious and rumors. Let Ii be
replied that when teachers in state
schools are the subject OF rumors thai
Will not be silenced, and when these per-
sons fail to gain the confidence OF the
communities In which they live, either
the parties are guilty of misconduct as
charged or else they are unfortunate In
possessing u personality mat repelS con-
fidence. No institution can become great
and serve the largest usefulness when
handicapped by having such a persons
prominently connected with 1t. am not
dealing with mere rumors or fictitious
f%ancies. l nave the testimony Of a prom
inent citizen of an institution town who
declares that their institution can never
make any. substantial progress until GER
tain much-sought changes are made
therein.
Concerning the statement 1 am reported
to have made, that a certain professor in
day played cards and gambled with a
party from whom / received my informa-
ton, n on Sunday morning preached a
sermon from the pulpit of one of the
churches IN the state, permit me to say
that l did not make the statement In
that manner. l did say that such a thing
had been reported to me, but / did not
claim to have 1t from the man who did
the playing. l have since asked the man
who related the matter to me IL he would
allow me to use his name, but this he re-
fuses for personal and business reasons,
and I will not betray my friends by CIV
ing away condolences contrary to their
expressed wishes. 1 stated in my sermon
that | could not vouch for the truth of
the story, but / ave II as IL was given
to me, because 1 had good reason for be-
lieving that the story was not all fiction.
| do not consider 1t my duty to. seek out
the proof of these reports and la. 1t be-
fore the board who have authority to act
In such matters. The board of regents
has as much opportunity, and more, than
a private citizen Of ascertaining the truth
or falsity of reports rejecting upon the
ability or character Of institution pro-
fessors. 1t Is the boards duty TO nves-
tigate and act in accordance with the
findings of their private court of inquiry.
1 have the honor to be YOU obedient
Servant, Arthur G. Shepherd.