Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-02
CHURCH SCANDAL
STIRS MACON
SOCIETY
Investigation Made Of Alleged In
timacy Between Choir Leader
and Church Worker.

MACON, July Church people
here are greatly agitated to-day over
the investigation by the executive
committee OF the First Christian
Church into the alleged intimacy of
two Of Its most prominent members
Professor Frank NJ. Charlton, leader
Of the choir. and Mrs Marvin Lee
Lester secretary of the Ladies' Aid
Society.
The alleged improper conduct as
charged by two neighbors of Mrs.
Lester Mrs ]. w jenkins and Mrs
Alma Armstrong, is said to have oc-
CURED on the night Of June 3, when d
telephone conversation between the
professor and Mrs. Lester was over
heard by Mrs Jenkins it is alleged.
According to Mrs jenkins, who is
on the same telephone line with Mrs.
Lester, Professor Charlton asked Mrs.
Lester II Mr.. Lester were in.
Pair Watch for Professor.
Upon the reply Of Mrs. Lester that
he was not in, Mrs. jenkins says Pro
fessor Charlton said: How about
coming around them"
Mrs. Jenkins claims she called Mrs
Armstrong over and together the two
watched for Professor Charlton's ar
rival. He came to the corner of the
Lester house. she claims. and then
went back and turned up the alley,
where he started to enter the Lester
side gate. Mrs jenkins says she
screamed burglar" and called Mrs.
Lester who replied that there wasn't
any burglar there. and cut of
Nothing further was heard Of the
burglary until June 81. when The
Macon News published an anonymous
story Of the affair using the names
A, B., G.. Copies of the paper we're
then mailed anonymously to Mr.. Les
ter and Mrs Charlton. and the church
investigation followed on Saturday
asst When certain of the parties were
summoned to appear.
Four Elders Make Inquiry.
Members OF the committee, COM
posed OF four elders of the church,
Lenoir NJ. Erwin, Orrin Erwin. II w
Roper and \. NJ Smith said to-day
that the Investigation probably would
be completed the latter part Of this
week The committee will then re-
port its findings in open meeting to
the church Congrega tion. which will
vote on the guilt of the parties con-
cerned
II proved guilty. members Of the
committee say, both Professor Charl-
ton and Mrs. Lester win be ousted
from the church. on the other hand.
If proved not guilty, the parties will
be indicated In open meeting and
the church cleared of the charges
which have been placed against two
Of its most prominent members.
viii Be No Whitewash.
Lenoir NJ Erwin. member Of the
investigating committee and United
States Commissioner here. and Rev
Leroy NJ. Anderson, pastor OF the
church, declared to day that there
would be no whitewash e. the affair:
that the charges We're being sifted to
the bottom, and the real truth would
be brought out I'm open meeting. as is
customary in the Christian Church.
IT the parties are guilty as
charged" said Rev MIR Anderson
tReN VIII be dealt with according
but If they are not guilty Of the CHARGES
the church will protect them. In
neither case, however will this be
done secretly. for the laws of our
church provide for action by the CON
gregauon as a whole in such cases.
Wanted Names Published.
There viii be no whitewash. and
II any publication of the matter is
made l demand that the names of
the parties, the name Of the church
and the pastor be used"
Mr. Erwin. who is taking an ac
tive part In the investigation. made
the same statements in substance
He said both sides Of the matter were
being investigated fully and no stone
would be left unturned to bring out
the true facts in the case
Professor Charlton and Mrs Les
ter deny the charges vigorously. and
In this they are supported by Mr.. Les
ter and Mrs Charlton. Each declares
that f"'i investigation Of the mat
ter is CoUUted
Libel Suits Threatened
MIR Lester said Tuesday night he
would consult with his attorney.
Claud Estes, Wednesday, to consider
fling suit against the parties who
have made the charges against his
wifi" Tor malicious Islander
-.