Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-02
..4.|[l|AMS' TALE TOLD
Not Interrupted in Plea for
VindiCatiOn.
HE MENTIONS NO NAMES
fplicated Girls Brothers Hear Him
in Audience.
PEACE MAINTAINED BY POLICE
Eormer Minister Tells of Promise
of Help if He Would Avoid
Scandal in Recital.

/ A
testly animated by morbid curiosity
bthers mere idlers- about-town, seeking
pew sensation. and still others sincere
friends of the former clergyman. Gilbert
Fearing Williams-assembled in the audi
torium of Masonic Hall. 9th and r streets
northwest. this morning, to hear Mr.. Will
lians inaugurate the movement which, he
hopes. will result in his vindication and
restoration TO the ministry of the Protest
ant Epis copal Church.
In view of the promise of a dramatic
presentation of the accumulated wrongs
of decade. the meeting was decided
disappointment.
Then. too there had been an intfmation
OF possible trouble in event the speaker
should venture to again drag into publici-
ty the name of the young woman whose
accusation that he had wronged her re-
suited in Mr.. Williams expulsion from
Ithe ministry.
! Two brothers of the young woman were
resent in the nall. Present, too. was a
quad of policemen under Capt. Williams
of the first precinct, and three or four
plain clothes men from headquarters
They ostentatiously took places on all
sides of the brothers. But neither brother
ra sed his voice. much less his hand, to in
terrupt the recital
No Scandalous Particulars.
The speaker made good his promise of
yesterday that there should be no refer
zee TO the details of the scandal of 1897
: 9S. Seekers after new sensations were
( MED the satisfaction they had antic-
Lated.
| Not content even with crowding as
closely as possible to Mr.. Williams during
MS discourse, number of his auditors re-
manned outside the door of the hall to see
a group of newspaper photographers snap
Ehe ex-preachers picture as he left the
building All of them engaged in gossip
concerning the event of the morning.
Throughout his discourse the speakers
voice was audible only to those who were
seated in a small circle Immediately about
him. Frequently there were cries of
Louder" When one stentorian voice
from the rear urged Mr.. Williams to go
upon the platform, the latter stopped in
the midst of a sentence and climbed to
the little stage only to-like the one-time
King of France-turn around and march
down again. He said he could speak bet
ter from the floor.
In the interim the audience made con-
certed rush. each man and woman lug
Eing his or her own chair along. to get
Into a yet closer circle. Then the police
lnterfered and ordered the center aisle
kept open.
Promptly at 10 o'clock there was much
craning Of necks as the ex-preacher. a
man less than the average stature walked
from a rear room. where he had been
holding levee with the reporters. to the
front and turned to face the men and
Homen who elected to hear the story of
his life.
Williams Story Begins.
Without preliminaries Mr. Williams
launched into his stor, declaring his de-
8 in a I'm To hriy ~. ;, -
aee before the newly eie:,ed Bishop of
washington as soon as the latter has be-
come settled in his Office
Il shall not refer to the specific charges
4 this case" said he. They are matters
CT the record
After speaking of the methods followed
- the church advocate in conducting the
-fal before the ecclesiastical court ten
7als ago. Mr.. Williams digressed to ex-
vain that he had received a letter in his
IAo-ning mail from two prominent laymen
OF the church. asking him not to hold
the meeting. or. if he did so. to refrain
from particularizing upon the scandalous
features of the case
J., lhese aymen gave me their promise
po.tts, 70 use tneir influence to have the whole
platter reopened." the speaker contin-
ned. THE record Is sufficient to show
mat I was completely vindicated Of the
tharge against me.
What Is the record on the church's
side? A transparent tissue of falsehoods,
The testimony Of a worthy obstetrician
Showed that 1t was.
If ever. court was packed against
any one that court was packed against
me-"
What Happened at Hancock, Md.
Mr.. Williams devoted about ten min
ltes time to telling Of incidents of his
Farly work minister of the gospel at
Hancock. Md, and at Port Tobacco. Md.
He told about an unnamed member Of his
parish-a lawyer-becoming involved in
hn unmentioned unpleasantness. and
hbout this man writing him a letter of
warming to accept the first call which
would take him away from the parish.
Nr. Williams said the vestrymen of his
thurch had compelled the man in ques-
ton 10 write letter of abject apology
And l forgave him.. said the speak
rr. Then when this charge was made
against me the chancellor of the church
refused TO take the case against me, but
al his suggestion this same man was ac-
cepted As the church advocate others
called the attention of the court 10 the
fact that fair dealing could not be ex-
pected from such a source. But l SAID
10 them IL would make no difference: that
no one could possibly fasten such pre-
posterous charge upon me.
"At another time visiting pastor
] preached in a church OF certain dio-
cese of Maryland. l asked the pastor OF
he would consent TO me speaking upon
the Second Coming of Christ" and he
consented After / finished my sermon
he thanked me.
The next week after l left the parish
he gave notice that he intended to answer
me. and he did. He mentioned NE by
hame and called me an ignoramus. Yet
that man became one of the members OF
he ecclesiastical court which sat in judg-
men. upon my case"
Case Had Never Rested.
Reference was made to certain publish
Il statements that the recalling of the
lcandal. after it had been permitted 10
Ssst for ten years. was to be deprecated.
n. Williams cried that it had not rested
Or ten years; that IL had not rested for
single week; that he would never let II
tcst.
He related several charitable deeds he
pad done. claiming re stood always in
lhe closest relations with the Catholic
Fisters In charge of Providence Hospital
Il took a worthy young girl to the hos
pitai have taken men there. TOO This
girl was dying of phthis!s. / secured a
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