The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-03-18
SALEM NEWS


Salem, o., March il-By explaining, In
an open statement to his congregation
this morning, that woman whose name
gossip connected with a scandal that be-
came public here some time ago, Is not q
member of the church. Rev. Q. l.. Smith,
of the Methodist Episcopal church, en-
llghtened the hearts of several wrong
fully accused women and OF the same
time deepened the mystery surrounding
the Identity OF the Offenders.
Suspicion seemed to settle upon a re-
spected woman, prominent in church and
social circles of the city, and to exon
crate her the pastor of the church made
the above announcement from his pulpit
today
1t was rumored yesterday that the
names of all connected with the mystery
would be announced at todays services.
This interesting bit of news rapidly
spread to all parts of town and the
church was filled with ears wide open
for all that could be learned of the case.
In this a large crowd was disappointed,
for the pastor avoided the question Of
disclosing the identity of those concern
ing whom he spoke.
In leaving by mistake love letter
intended for his affinity, this still un-
known woman, at the home of friend,
a prominent man of seventy years
brought himself in q bad light before
the public and gossip connected his name
with a woman whose name has not be-
come known. The writer of the letter,
wealthy, retired dry goods merchant,
was compelled to retire from the board
of trustees of the M. E. church.
This board publicly expressed the con-
demnation by the church of any act
which might bring reproach upon 1t in
the eyes of the community at large. AS
result the retiring member, with his
family, has left the city for an indefinite
period, it is said to give opportunity for
the scandal to be forgotten.
AS gossip has it, the incident became
public when the receiver of the pas
sionate love letter, thinking she had not
read Alright, called In her nurse and
later several neghbors to read the letter.
When words of passionate love and de-
votion and longing to feel her lips on
his again appeared, the surprise of all
was almost boundess.
In the midst of their surprise, the
writer of the letter appeared on the
scene and asked for the letter. pleading
that he had sent the wrong one by mis-
| take
"Please let me have that letter. I have
made mistake and gave you the wrong
one he said.
"My Godr he exclaimed "You haven't
read that have you?"
The letter had reached the home of a
| friend a widow whose husband had died
| the day before. Two letters had been
| written by the man. it is said. one let
| ter of coincidence to the widow, the other
| to the unknown woman.
The result has proved demoralizing to
| the peace of mind of the entire com
munity, but Rev. Mr.. Smiths statement
this morning has cleared up one end OF
the mystery.
| The home of Louis Ritchie, south OF
town along the Y. & o. railroad was
! burned to the ground about o'clock
| Saturday night. Mr.. and Mrs. Richie
were in Salem at the time and the chill
dren were spending the evening at a
neighbor's house. When the flames were
| discovered by neighbors, they were be-
| yond control and the house, with all its
contents burned to the ground. Not a
| thing was Saved. Large numbers went
to the scene but as there was no water
supply within access they could lend
| no aid.
The Columbiana County Corn Improve.
| ment association met in the Business as
sociation rooms here Saturday afternoon
with a good attendance from all parts
of the county. A test of field corn was
authorized by the association and also
one of ensilage corn Committees were ap-
pointed to arrange the tests on different
plots of ground throughout the county
and to be grown under different condi,
tlons.