Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1919-07-31
FAMILY FEUD HAS
WRECKED BIG CHURCH
PUBLIC TRIAL HELD AND DIFF
FERENCES AIRED BEFORE
CHURCH BODY


A love affair which has divided
townspeople into rival camps, almost
disrupted one of the leading
churches of Red Oak and which has
developed a bitter factional fight in
one of the towns oldest, most re-
spected families has made Red Oak
one big debating club.
Tuesday the public gathered at
the First Baptist church to tell why
they were not speaking to certain
families; why society women who
used to be girlhood chums snub one
another at social functions; why
men who were members of the same
club now pass on the street without
a nod.
The Southwestern Association of
Baptist churches sat in solemn coun-
Gil and listened to the factional
stories. Seventeen churches of the
district each sent a delegate empow-
cred to vote on the merits of the
quarrel that is rending Red Oaks
Friendships asunder.
1t all happened because Lulu Bass
loved Thomas Sedan enough to
marry him in spite of the vigorous
protests of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Judd Bass. Since the nuptials
eight years ago, Judd and his wife
have steadfastly withheld forgive
ness from their daughter.
Mrs. Sedan has not crossed the
threshold of her parents home in
Valley street since she became the
wife of the now prosperous farmer
who lives out on the Blue Grass road.
oh hnr hn Fri in ha
Bass family developed fourteen
Highland Park college in Des
Moines, met Thomas Sedan, also a
student there. Sedan then was not
burdened with much of this world s
goods. He was endowed only with
I brains, goodness and the willingness
to work. These qualities appealed
to Lulu and she admitted it when
questioned by her folks. Their APP
peal to Judd Bass and his wife was
not so irresistible.
Then came the day when Thomas
Sedan, by dint of continuous work
and intelligent application. had gath
cred enough money, to allow him to
think of marrying. He asked for
the hand of the winsome daughter OF
the wealthy Bass family She said
Eyes" Her parents said mo
Lulu Bass became the bride OF
| Thomas Sedan in the First Baptist
church. The Rev. Mr.. Clevenger
then pastor, officiated at the wed
| ding.
| Shortly after the nuptials, Pastor
Clevenger resigned. Judd Bass was
then one of the elders of the church
He was a power in the town. Old
residents say that he registered nc
great displeasure when the minister
who married his daughter, left Red
Oak never to return. Then the
First Baptist church was one of the
leading ecclesiastic organizations in
the town. Today its position is not
so dominating.
The popularity of Lulu Bass prov
| ed a worthy toll for the esteem in
which her parents were held. Mr..
! and Mrs. Sedan were feted in many
| a home and a social ball in honor of
! their wedding. The friends of the
| young couple bravely espoused their
! cause. Adherents of her fathers
faction as staunchly withheld their
! approval The war was on.
The Rev. w. G. Jones is today the
pastor of the First Baptist church.
I Townspeople say that since his COM
! ing to Red Oak he has been trying to
heal the wound in the Bass-Sedam
| families. They tell Of his kindly re-
ception at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
( Sedan and their two children, who
recently affiliated with the First
Baptist church at Emerson. Iowa.
They tell also of the welcome at the
Bass homestead. But they tell,
too, of his apparent failure to bring
peace between the two families and
their factional allies.
Tuesday, Thomas Sedan and his
wife appeared before the church tri-
bunal to tell their side of the story.
JUDD Bass and his wife explained
their attitude there. Friends OF
both families, also told the seven
teen delegates why the marriage OF
Lulu Bass won their favor or dis
pleasure.
The whole township is agog with
interest in the controversy. Per-
sons who never made a public speech
in their lives are groomed for an eff
fort at oratory.
"The decision of the association
delegates will be final said Rev,
Mr.. Jones. 1.-THE parties to this
controversy must abide by the YER
dict"