The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1913-05-28
When a Minister Refuses
To Forgive Wife.
THREE REMARKABLE LETTERS
Presented In Divorce Suit
Wife Repented and Want.
ed To Come Back.
HUSBAND DIDN'T HEED ADVICE

chicago, May Z4.-HeV. EDWARD
G.. Crawford, prosecuting suit for
divorce against his wife, presented
to Judge Gibbons to-day three let
ters of unusual human interest.
Two were letters from the wife,
May M. Crawford, acknowledging
her fault and in sackcloth and ashes
begging forgiveness.
The third letter. projected into
the trial by Rev. Mr.. Crawford as
from my friend" was communi-
cation from w. C. Norton, formerly
of Chicago, but now a resident of
Nessen City, Mich.
Mr. Norton - as his -epistle at
tests, was in the same boat as Rev.
Mr.. Crawford was, so far as the ac-
tons of his wife were concerned.
He also knew that Mrs. Crawford
had sinned and made confession.
But, taking all of the facts into con-
sideration. he was inclined to adopt
philosophical view of the situa-
ton. He urges the preacher to take
his wife back-as he intends to do
with his wife--and forgive and for
get.
Just now, Charlie" he observes,
sis good time to practice what
you preach. None of us is perfect
cant be and live there-we've all
got faults. know mine"
And then Norton adds, by way of
balm, apparently, to the clergy
mans wounded pride:
There are few chaste people.
and they are very young"
Rev. Mr.. Crawford did not heed
his friends appeal, as his suit for
divorce demonstrates.
The first letter from Mrs. Craw-
ford was left on the kitchen table of
the Crawford house. 1857 Town
send street. by the wife before she
packed and left. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
Charlie: No doubt this will be
quite a surprise to you, but by the
time you get this | will probably
be home. Now. you can do as you
please, and I won't be in your way.
81 never did get any help in my
Christian experience from you, and
think you know it. The fact of
it is. We are far from being mated,
therefore it is best that am going.
Lovingly, Mabel"
A week after the separation
Crawford received the following
communication from his wife. writ
ten from Alliance. Ohio:
Dear Charlie: have stood 1t
as long as ] can without writing.
think you know have been untrue
to you.
"Oh. how | have repented! Yes.
Charlie, realize what an awful
thing I have done and l know the
Lord has forgiven me. Now will
you forgive me?
you know, Charlie, Jesus said
He will forgive seventy times seven,
but | know it is hard to do as Jesus
would do.
Now, Charlie. If you can't for
give me enough to never speak to
me about 1t or throw 1t up to me.
you better not say you will, because
want 20 start life over again.
"The devil didn't want me to
confess to you at all. but the Lord
said confess and confess | must or
be lost
IL have found out that 1t doesn't
pay TO have anything between us
and the Lord. | have a good home
here and can stay as long as want
to, but Charlie, am not satisfied
away from you. with all my mean
ness. II didn't love you | would
never write this letter. Lovingly.
Mabel"
IN another letter Mrs. Crawford
gives detailed account of her re-
lati,rs with plumbing contractor
~ West Eighteenth street, and
blames her downfall on Mrs. Mary
Norton; who. she saws. introduced
be- TO the man on the North Side.
Rev. Crawford was granted d.
vorce.