The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-10
KANSAS NEWS.
Independence Has a Sensational
Preacher, Indeed.
Makes Charges Against a Dane
ing School Teacher.
ALLEGES VILE LIFE
The Lady Dancing Teacher Will
Probably Prosecute.
Rev. j. M. Mason Is Receiving
ALLEGES VILE LIFE
Rev. J. wi. Mason Is Receiving
Much Censure From Members.

independence, Kas., Feb. 1o.-The
Reporter says:
In the course Of his remarks from
the pulpit OF the First Methodist
Episcopal church last Sunday night
Rev. J. NJ Mason, the pastor, is re-
ported and alleged to have sIandered
and naligned Miss Cora Early, who
is a teacher of dancing, conducting a
school Of instruction in the Mears
building ct 113 South Penn avenue.
The indignation expressed over
what it is claimed was said by the
preacher has been quite general. The
many friends of Miss Early have re-
ported to her the substance of Rev.
Niason's alleged TRADE of abuse, and
yesterday she called upon Attorney 7.
Fl. Stanford and laid the matter be-
fore him. In speaking of the matter
last evening to a Reporter representa-
tive Mr. Stanford said:
Miss Early's friends sent her to
consult me. As I understand it she
has been in Independence for several
months, doing sewing, and has made
many friends here. When Prof. Col
win, the dancing teacher, left here the
field was in good condition for some
one TO continue the teaching of dane
ing, and it was at the instance of
of an opportunity TO engage in
legitimate and also respectable bust
ness that would be more remunera-
tive, as she Is not rich by any means.
She was not present to hear the things
reported to have been said by Mr.. Ma
son; she was spared that embarrass-
ment. Miss Early said to me she had
no way OF protecting herself from
public attacks of this nature, and
asked me what she should do. After
hearing her story I said would see 1
Rev. Mason, and if the statements
were true would demand that he make
lad F@,f
preacher up by phone and made an
engagement to meet him at his house /
at s o'clock Tuesday evening. had
q long talk with the gentleman, and |
he made an absolute denial of the
whole story. He said he denounced |
dancing, but made no personal allu-
gions to Miss Early that were deroga- /
tory OF her character or personal ap-
pearance, as had been reported. This /
is the way the case rests, so far as /
am concerned. and whether a suit will /
be commenced or not depends upon 4
the information we get disproving Ma
The best people in the city have
been the patrons of Miss Early's
dancing classes A lady said to the
Reporter this morning: IT am get
ting tired having myself and children
ms-ligned because I choose to send
them to q dancing school It is my
affair, and it is none of Mr. Mason Is
business whatever
Dr. E. c. Glass said this morning: ct
was present at the NJ E church only
part of the time Sunday night, and
did not hear all that Mason said.
What I did hear. however, I consider
ungentlemanly on his part, to say the
least. do not know Miss Early per
sonally, but know people who do.
and I have every reason to believe
that she and her patrons were uniustly
attacked L understood Mason to re-
fer to her personal appearance in a
very uncouth and derogatory manner.
He said something about her being
'hooked-nosed,' I think. Also that
he hoped she was in the audience to
hear what he said and that she would
repent and take up some other occu-
patton I am a member of the Metho-
dist church, and ], among hundreds /
Of others, do not approve his late at /
tenpts at sensatiOnalism- I think we /
win get rid of him soon. If we don't /
4 viii split the Methodist church in /
this city
Frank Curtis. pharmacist in c. H /
Kerr's Central drug store, says he was /