Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-08-24
Letter From Rev. DIR. Knott.
Atlantic City,
HNIuHHN N6
August Is, 1911

August Is, 1911.
Dear Register-While resting here with
my wife by the sea side, and after hearing
from the editor OF my home paper some
very kind things, write this brief COM
munication because believe it is due my
home people. The kindness OF the edI-
tor of the Register in opening to me the
columns of his paper is not so remarkable
after all, when one has known the editor
as have. If he has ever failed to be
friend TO a fellow West Virginian from
old Jefferson, do not know the instance.
The circumstance that has all at once
brought me into most undesirable pub
licity, with the stupendous consequences
TO the local church at Warrenton, Va,
and, indeed, to the church at large, is too
we'll known in general way to call for
explanation. wish to say that reporter
from a Washington paper called on me
after the so-called "trial,' and said the
presiding elder OF the Washington dis
trict had given him all the facts, and that
the affair was now public property. He
asked me to give him my version. | re-
fused to talk and furthermore asked some
influential Washington men to prevent
the stuff from going into the secular press.
| thought had obtained the desired end,
but no doubt the prosecution thought the
fitting climax to what had gone before
was publicity through the secular press
and so, once in print, the affair went its
way. The purported interviews" which
were supposed to have been given by
me, were drawn for the most part from
the active brains of reporters. | have
never been "caustic," nor "voluble,"
nor have declared the trial unfair" or
the jury "prejudiced." have not said
was going to Europe" nor did | act
or say what would in any sense justify
the idea that treated the sentence OF the
church with contempt"
On the other hand, | now say the
charges brought against me grew out OF
an innocent and almost unavoidable cir
cumstance. Any man might have in like
manner had the light of suspicion thrown
upon him, by persons with whom he was
wholly unacquainted, and with no chance
to defend himself save his own word.
Unsympathetic powers took hold OF these
circumstances and used them to best
advantage 10 accomplish purpose which
those powers beforehand avowed to do,
namely, TO see to it that would not again
preach in the M. E. Church, South.
Feeling against me has existed in our
conference for years. 1t came to the sur
face about seven years ago, when exactly
the same powers that this time were be-
hind all movements directed blow at
me, but failed in their attempt. The
failure has remained with them as a Bit
ter memory. Not an act or word OF mine
since then, that could be construed as
indiscreet or reprehenSible, has been over
looked. In the late "trial" at Washing
ton, a sewer full of it was discharged,
that had been accommodating in all these
years-moSt filthy, false, prepoSterous,
unthinkable stuff, all OF which could have
been met in ten minutes if opportunity
had been given; but this was poured
fourth to create an impression upon the
"trial committee" that they were dealing
with ministerial reprobate. No wonder
the atmosphere in the place suggested
"hades," as one suggested !!
II is pretty we'll known that "woman
was in the case" and am glad to say
she is such person as my wife delights
today to call friend, and whose guile
1esSness and high sense OF honor abSo-
lutely preclude the possibility of wrong in
intention or in fact. 1t was not case Of
sentiment, nor of anything other than
pure desire to help in grave emergency
Those in my own home and few special
friends understood the needs that called
for private interview. With my own
unconventional ideas and consciousness
of a-pure youthhood, and with the honor
in which have ever held womanhood,
il did not occur to me that place made
much difference, when an urgent need
called for help. But, it is obvious now
that at least some Methodist preachers
do not know anything about any such a
relation between a man and woman.
Opportunity to do wrong is proof posi-
tive that wrong is DONE" seems to have
been the basis on which the judgment
proceeded. And although most radical
and unusual piece of evidence was pro-
duced that actually demonstrated the in
nocence of both parties, still the ever
dict" was condemnation where nothing
but vindication could have been expected.
have written enough. But the 'factS"
are too many to even refer to in one COM
munication. Later, if the committee on
appeals fails to right the wrong the world
will know all, and form its Judgment.
This will say: challenge any three
men OF the trial committee they heard all
the evidence) to meet me in the presence
of any body of reasonable men, and con-
vince those men of my guilt. Let me be
free to speak as | was not as "the accus-
ed" and I'll meet undismayed any body
of fair-minded people. Those who know
me we'll will believe me when say that
neither i'll intention nor in fact was guilty
of any wrong in the circumstance which
| have above referred to.
10. KNOTT.