Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-12

dan, Who Brings Charges, is Mar
Who Rejoiced At President Mekin-
Iey's Assassination.
One of the most sensational affairs
that has ever arisen within the ordin-
arily peaceful little world constituting
THE Iowa Soldiers Home, came to a
climax today when Chaplain Jesse
Cole, of the home, was placed on trial
before a committee Of the Northwest
Iowa conference, at Hubbard, to de-
fend his character against a vicious
assault made by w. F. Jordan, q dis
charged member Of the home, and an
eccentric mission preacher.
The charges that have been brought
to a elimination in today's church
trial have been circulated broadcast in
the shape Of affidavits for several
weeks. The circulators, chief among
whom were Jordan himself and REV"
w. w. Hazen, have been making every
effort to have them published. Failing
at this they have taken pains to show
them to church people and pastors, in
order to place the stigma on the chap
lain among his own people. They also
gained audiences with many others
who are. ever anxiou to get hold Of
some salacious scandal
Charges Are Vile.
The charges, made in several affi-
davits, are so vile and unplausible as
to be unbelievable. How some of the
people making them could bring them
selves to anix their signatures to such
statements is q problem hard to un-
derstand.
immortality in Conduct.
The affidavits made against the
chaplain's character are in effect that
he is guilty Of. immoral conduct.
Included among the makers are Mrs.
M. III. Southwick, pastor Of the Union
mission, a Holiness, organization Of
which w. r. Jordan is president; Mrs.
Lora A. Bennett, president Of the
Fourteenth district w. G. 7. u; and
II. A. Nichols.
Others to Refute Them.
On every charge contained in the al
fidavits made, the chaplain has other
a%ffidavits to refute them. Nichols af-
fdavit, which is the worst, is dis
proved by the strongest Of evidence.
Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. Southwick go
to show that Chaplain Cole was be-
lieved, by reason Of an alleged con-
fession on the part Of a W. G. T. u.
sister, to have been unduly intimate
with her. This affidavit Is also refuted
in the strongest Of terms by the ac-
cused woman herself, who bears an ex-
cellent reputation Z
Origin Of the Trouble.
"a The charges brought against Chap
lain Cole had their origin last March,
when w. F. Jordan was discharged
from the soldiers home for malicious
SANDER. Jordan was accused of
falsely and maliciously reporting to
the home police that John B. Hitler
was a drinking man., and was
gagged in bringing intoxicating liquors
to the home grounds"
HITLER, who came to the home from
| Swaledale, Cerro. Gordo county, and
who died in the hospital on May IA,
1907, was a member Of Chaplain Coles
choir. Jordan conducted the mission
Just outside the home gates. He was
not on the best of terms with the
chaplain, because he felt that the lat
ter was trying to discourage the at
tendance at his (Jordan's) rival
church" as it were. Chaplain Cole
was indignant at the charges brought
by Jordan against Hitler, and natur-
ally did everything in his power to
prove Hillier's innocence.
Jordan Was Discharged.
Commandant Horton conducted a
hearing Of Jordan's case, on the
charge as above stated, and on March
Z. 1907, discharged Jordan from the
home. Jordan appealed to the board
Of control, and the board affirmed the
commandments decision. Ever since
Their Jordan has not been a member OF
the institution. The G. A. R. post took
similar action at the same time, ana
dropped Jordan from its membership
roles.
Rejoiced Over Presidents Death.
w. F. Jordan is the a VINO cre-
ated quite a furore at the home IN
1901, when he rejoiced over the as
sassination Of President Mckinley.
This time Jordan was tried by court
martial, with Capt. J.. w. Reed presid-
ing as judge advocate, and on Sept. 10,
1901, was discharged from the nome.
The evidence showed that, when the
news of McKinley's. assassination was
learned at the home, Jordan evinced
much satisfaction over C%zolgosz's ter
rible act, and remarked that he en-
tire cabinet ought to be shot, as they
were a gang of thieves"
A few months after he was ousted
from the home by the court martial
Jordan pleaded poverty and penitence,
and the court martial that tried him
agreed to his readmission by the COM
mandant if he would thereafter be-
have himself and conduct himself, as
a gentleman Inc a soldier.
Jordan entered the home from Storm