The San Francisco call., 1908-11-10

LalS occurred IN 4suls dltu ADA SOtiAS
years after the event the clergyman
was lost to public gaze and public
knowledge.
In 1904 he sprang up once more, this
time to be ordained as q minister OF
the Episcopal faith in Pittsfeld, III. The
following year be was made rector OF
St. Luke's church in Springfield, III,
and a year ago took charge Of St An
drew's Episcopal church in Oakland
during the absence of the regular pas
tor. Rev. o. St. John Scott, who was
suffering from paralysis
REPUTATION WAS BAD
While rector of St Luke's church in
Springfield Young bore an honorable
record. but with his going to Oakland
the insidious whispers began once more.
the subject being the same-women.
Members Of the parish were indignant,
and last night gave free vent TO their
opinions, their only request being that
their names would not be drawn into
the deplorable episode.
one story was to the effect that
Young was frequently seen entering
the study Of his church with a tall,
young woman Of his congregation. It
was told by man whose residence IS
near the church and who could observe
much from one Of the windows of his
and Union streets. is a secluded spot,
the entrance being from the rear of the
church According to this man, Young
and the girl spent hours there together.
Fitting in with the tale told by Miss
Edna Reynolds were others from the
members OF the parish Of st. Andrews
IN which Young had earned for himself
a reputation Of eXaggerating the state
Of his financial means. One young girl,
in speaking of Young last night, init
mated that Youngs conduct toward
women was rather more than could be
expected from any man, and still less
from one holding his responsible posi-
ton
He is bad one" she said. You
have but TO ask any one OF the members
Of the congregation and they will tell
you few things that viii startle you.
He was very popular with the men.
But with the women, why"
The impending revelations were cut
short by the appearance of the girls
mother, who drew her daughter aside
and closed the door. The incident spoke
for itself
Significant. too, was the stand taken
by Rev. o. st. John Scott, pastor of
ST. Andrews church. He refused to
say one word of what he had been told
regarding Father Young. when the lat
ter had given up the pastorate.
SCOTT Is AMBIGUOUS
Did you find out anything against
him?' he was asked. Scott was silent
for moment, and then, guardedly, re-
piled.
Il an not saying that I know any
thing or that I do not know With
all due courtesy 1 may say that I sim
ply refuse TO discuss Father Young in
any respect"
The answer spoke volumes. Further
questioning brought no tangible re-
suit; but should Father Young's re-
quest for fun Investigation be ac-
ceded TO, as il undoubtedly will. the
probabilities are that Rev. Mr.. Scott
VIII go into the matter in a more de-
tailed manner.
The letter TO Bishop Nichols from
Father Young asking for an investiga-
tion was received by the bishop late
last night II read as follows:
san Francisco, Nov. q 1905
,,., ~ me hlsht reverend William Ford Nichols.
blsbep O the Diocese Of California-Rleht Rev
erend and Dear Sir: In accordance with the
provision Of canon 2I section 53I. article d.
! hereby request Of you that immediate and
full Investigation be made in accordance with
the provisions Of said canon concerning charges
and evil reports that have been recently made
public alleging unworthy association on my part
Win me disappearance or Miss Edna Clark Re
specuuly, PAYsON YOUNG.
The canonical laws referred to give
the accused clergyman the right to
take the initiative in instances where
ehargeS Of an Informal nature have
been made against him.
None OF the members Of the congra
cation preferred any. charges yesterday.
The three .vestrymen OF the church de-
clded 10 allow the case TO stand for a
Few days without taking action; but
IN the face OF Father Youngs request
the unpleasant duty of taking the initia-
tive and preferring charges will not
be necessary on their part
GIRL STILL MISSING
While the storm has centered around
the priest it has by no means led to
the discovery Of the missing girl. Moth
ing was heard of her yesterday. and
her present location is as deep a mys-
terry as ever. Among the theories
which the detectives were working on
yesterday was that the girl was in
Oakland No trace Of her could, how
ever be found.
In view Of recent developnents The
expressed opinion Of Young that Edna
Clark had gone east to enter a hospital
and become a trained nurse is looked
upon as another attempt on his part TO
divert attention from himself Although
she conhded some Of her dearest secrets
10 her chum, Edna Reynolds Edna
Clark never once spoke of a desire to
become trained nurse. On the con-
trary she always expressed a great en-
thusiasm for her art studies. Never
did the girl express to her mother any
desire to become q trained nurse. and
II is now believed that Young's utter
ances in this regard have been manu-
factured by himself
At one time. a year ago. the missing
girl told Edna Reynolds that she
thought she would like to enter a Ro-
man Catholic convent She was ad
vised to talk the matter over with her
mother, and did so. The idea. was dis
couraged by the parent, and the girl
did not refer TO IL again.
II is now pointed out by those inter
ested in the case that all declarations
OF serious trouble between mother and
daughter have originated with Rev. Mr.
Young, and have been made to bolster
up theory which might counteract
the damaging evidence which is piling
up against him day by day On every
occasion that he has been interviewed
Young has taken particular pains TO
say that the girl went to him contin
ually complaining of serious dihicul-
ties with her mother. He has repeated
this time and again
IN he of 81