New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-16
DOVER PLAINS NET Up
Pastor Forced Out Because Ne
Denounced Picture Postal.
CARD SOLD BY POSTMASTER
It Was Entitled mo Place for
a Minister'S Son." and
Aroused His Ire.

The village OF Dover Plains. in Dutchsn
County, is In ferment. Not since one ~
it's favorte sons married an Italian opera
singer, or perhaps since the latter obtained
a divorce from this leading citizen OF the
county, has there been such a hubbub.
And the present cause OF agitation 4,
more of local character than was the in.
ternational marriage and divorce, as II con-
Germs a church-the Baptist Church o.
Dover Falls-a banker, the postmaster and
one of the richest farmers In that part
Of New York State, not TO forget tho cier.
gyman, who occupied the pulpit Of the
church prior to May l. The population has
taken sides in tho controversy. but not to
the extent of preserving the ministers
Office
According TO one side OF the dispute III.
agitation in Dover Plains began when thu
Rev. George Ringrose. pastor OF the Baptist
Church OF Dover Plains took exception 10
the illustration and the words printed on
postal card that was displayed for sale at
the store of John A. Hanna. who is thu
postmaster and also is in the furniture
business. The inscription was: This Is no
place for a minister's SON." which in itself
was innocuous enough, but. in combination
with the picture on the card, caused Dr.
Rlngrose 60 express his indignation. The
postmaster's answer. It is said. was Mind
your own business" NOW. Mr.. Hanna IL
also deacon of the Baptist Church over
whose congregation the minister had pre-
sided for years. Dr. Ringrose says there
is conspiracy, backed by Mr.. Hanna.
George w. Ketcham, president Of the First
National Bank. also g deacon, and another
deacon, Wright Tabor, q rich farmer,
to depose him. For all OF which the clergy.
man began suit yesterday In the supreme
Court Of New York County for 5000 dam.
ages against the three deacons.
Dr. R!ngrose. who is about seventy years
old, says that Mr.. ketcham is the chief sup
port Of the church, which was built IN mem
DRY OF his mother. Or. Einsrose has been
minister of the Gospel for thirty years. and
he declares that it is necessary to tho pro-
fessionsional success of his calling thN ne
have the confidence OF his congregatioGHe
says Dir. Ketcham in cooperation withthe
other defendants, visited members ot the
CONGREGATION and made to them the false
and malicious" statements that he was
running the church and was not q proper
CLERGYMAN 10 occupy Ali' INAbA' "a 'A-"
church. II is alleged that the defendants
induced members of the congregation to
remain away from the church, all OF which
was caused by the malice, jealousy ana
svarlce" Of the postmaster, banker ana
farmer says DR.. Rngrose. and they even
induced members OF his flock 10 sign a ie-
tition asking for the minister's resignation
MANY members withdrew their support
from the church. All this was cue 70
charges that DR.. Ringrose preferred agafns'
Mr.. Hanna, the postmaster. the plalnah
says.
But Dr. Ringrose decided TO stand DIS
ground and refused 10 resign, but his res
ignation was accepted. anyway. by the dea'
cons. There was no corporate meeting LOT
this purpose, where the rules require thefs
would have to be ten members present 70
vote. One Sunday in February MI. hanas
at a church meeting asked those press"
TO signify by raising their HANDS whether
they wished to accept the resignation Oh
DIR. Ringrose. which had not been oHsssa
II WAS decided to make the decision 7"
have the minister resign effective on MAJ
and. the latter adds. the clerk OF '"'
church made a false record