Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-07
MACON SCANDAL
CLIMAX DUE IN
LIBEL SUITS
Accuser Will Fight Actions for
Damages by Exonerated Mem
bers Of Christian Church,

MACON, July New sensations
are expected in the Macon church
scandal. in which Professor Frank
NJ Charlton, choir leader, and Mrs
Effie Lester. secretary of the Ladies'
Aid Society, Of the First Christian
Church, were exonerated Sunday of
all charges of wrongdoing, when At
torney CIaud Estes, representing Mrs.
Lester, and the attorneys for Pro-
fessor Charlton bring suits for Sian
der in the courts. The damage suits
probably will be filed within the next
few days, according to statements to-
day OF parties involved
That Macon is promised one Of the
sharpest legal fights in her history
is certain, it is said, as Attorney Julian
Urquart, retained by Mrs jenkins,
one OF the accusers, will contest every
point of the plaintiffs in defense of his
client.
Cleared at Open Meeting.
The aftermath of the affair follows
the exoneration of the accused par
Christian Church Sunday morning,
when the report of the elders investi-
eating committee was read to the
congregation.
The session was dramatic. Imme-
diately following the sermon the con-
gregation OF the little echurch went
into executive session, with Elder Lee
noir Erwin, member Of the investigat-
ing committee, presiding. Seated in
the choir directly behind Mr.. Erwin
was Professor Charlton, slightly pale,
but otherwise composed. Near the
front was Mrs. Lester, who watched
the proceedings with remarkable COM
posture. Mr. Lester sat beside his
wife.
Report of Inquiry Complete.
When Elder Roper, chairman Of the
investigating committee, was called
upon to read the report, the congre-
cation leaned forward as If to catch
every word of the elder
The report, as predicted, went into
the mnutest detail of the whole az
fair, described every phase of the in
vestigatiOn, pointed out the alleged
shallowness of the charges and rec
of the accused.
Elder Roper paused when he had
finished reading. There was a dead
silence for fully a half minute and
then Elder Erwin arose and in SOL
emn tones announced an open meet
ing for the free discussion Of the re-
port.
Woman Speaks for Charlton.
Speak now or forever hold your
peace" said Mr.. Erwin.
There was a moment Of silence.
broken at length by the voice of a
woman.
Il have known Professor Charlton
for fifteen years" she said, and in
that time l have known him to be a
perfect gentleman"
The speaker was Mrs. E. T. Gibson,
a member of the Methodist Church
and formerly of Bloomington, Ill, the
choir leaders old home.
Mrs. Gibson was the only person in
the audience to accept the elders In
vitation to speak. Elder Irwin then
put the question of the guilt Of the
accused parties to the congregation.
Exoneration Is Unanimous.
Practically every one In the au-
dience arose on the motion to exon
crate Professor Charlton and Mrs.
Lester. Not one STOOD Wnen the nay
vote was put.
Immediately following the vote, the
Rev. Mr. Anderson called upon the
congregation to sing, "Blest Be the
Tie That Binds" after which prayer
one of the most fervent ever heard in
the little church, was offered by the
pastor While the vote was being
taken Professor Charlton and Mrs
Lester retired from the auditorium.
They were greeted by scores of
friends following the close of the serv-
ice.
Place Faith in Accused.
"Our conclusion is" it Is stated in
the report, that the parties are inno-
cent of the charges made or others
of like nature. We have as much con-
fidence in the integrity and Christian
character of both parties as we ever
have had and this is the first time we
have ever been given occasion to
question them"
1t is recommended further that the
report be published in The Christian
Builder and copies for publication be
furnished the newspapers and that
they become a part Of the church rec
ords The report is signed by L. NJ
Erwin, w H. Roper, A w. Smith, A
NJ. Erwin, Leroy NJ. Anderson. Elders
Of the First Christian Church