The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-13

of his parishioners, is again without
a minister. and for a reason similar
to that which made Rev. Stuckey
leave. Rev. A H. Moore, the pastor
who succeeded Stuckey, has not been
here since Labor day, and it has been
learned that he risks his life in COM
ing back.
Two years ago this month a jury in
the district court of Franklin county
said that Rev. Wallace NJ. Stuckey,
pastor of the Christian church at Will
liamsburg, was guilty of the abduction
of pretty Lorena Sutherland, and that
he must serve seven years in the PEN
itentiary for it. He and Miss Suther-
land had spent several weeks together
in Chicago and other places along
where they were. Upon detection
Stuckey protested innocence. saying
he had always passed as father to the
girl. Upon the witness stand Miss
Sutherland testified that Rev. Stuckey
had always conducted himself as her
husband
After Stuckey's conviction in Frank
lin county he appealed his case to the
Kansas supreme court, where the YER
dict of the lower court was sustained.
Then Stuckey disappeared and has
not been found since.
Banker Preacher Fell, Too.
The trustees Of the Williamsburg
Christian church, having given up all
cence, began to look around for anoth-
er pastor. They felt it impossible to
get one who had made the friends
Stuckey had, but possibly they could
get one who would prove less suscep-
tible to the smiles of his women par
iShioners- The membership of the Chris
tan church here is largely made up
of women, and 1t is the remark OF ev-
cry one who attends the church that
they are all young and very good look
ing Consequently, a preacher who
walks through to success must be ada
mant-
Finally. a banker-preacher at Hart
ford. Kan, was found who suited every
body, and 4 year ago he was hired to
take Stuckey's place.
Rev A. B. Moore, the new preacher,
WIS a married man with grown chill
dren, as was Stuckey. had lived in
Kansas for years and bore an excel
lent reputation But he had not been
in Williamsburg a month until rumors
began to float. The embership in
creased steadily and the girls sat well
up in front
Husband Was Unexpected.
After months of his ministry he missed
a Sunday. The following week the local
paper carried a resolution signed by
church officials, that as the result of an
Investigation the rumors regarding Moore
had been found groundless. But still the
preacher did not return The following
week a correction of the resolution ap-
peared in which the name of the signer,
Charles Trabart. was changed to Charles
Lewis.
Moore has not been in Williamsburg
since Labor day and it was learned this
morning that Charles Trabart, a brick
mason is the cause of his absence. Rev.
Mr.. Moore stayed all night at the Trabart
home in the latter part of August. The
next morning T-abart started to take the
train for Ottawa. leaving Moore alone
with his pretty wife For some reason
Trabart returned to get something he had
forgotten, and his return must have been
a surprise for Moore left abruptly, and
later Trabart paid a visit to Hartford and
told Moore If he ever came back to Will
liamsburg he would shoot him.
The Christian church of Williamsburg
is now looking for a preacher who will be
good.