1910
By Rev. Eliot White
The question whether moral standards are the same in city as in country probably cannot be answered alike for every comparison of urban with suburban. Some cities are notably narrow and backward, like overgrown villages, while some country places have so much civic sense and alert pride that they rank high in what we might call moral incubation, being true hatching places of better social ideals and keener ethical perceptions.
At the same time several elements in the comparison make it in the large possible to contrast city and country morals. For example, the power of neighbor opinion is considerably less in the city than in the country. By this I mean that dwelling near another person in the city does not mean necessarily acquaintance with or notice of him; whereas in the country, neighbor censors neighbor, often than not gossips about him or her and therefore exercises a certain degree of restraint upon him. Much of the laborious and often petty casuistry that harasses the typical country place and that the city dweller finds intolerable, is due to this.
Religious intolerance, with its magnifying of theological trifles, for the same reason flourishes in the country, while the city forges ahead and away from it like an express train from a stage coach. People have other and healthier occupations for thought.
At the same time the city independence has its faults. Isolation is a terrible strain for the young man or woman. The country may mean gossip, but it means united support and "company" as well, and to be transplanted from such rootage to the lonely places of the great city involves some of the severest temptations to which a character can be subjected.
The moral standards probably in themselves vary little between city and country, much as they may differ in application in the two places.
Franker instruction by parents end schools on physical matters should help boys and girls "find out things" in wholesome fashion, instead of through whisper. Festivals, open-air dances and romps are needed to feed the hunger for companionship, color and joy. More freedom under wise supervision for the children and youth of both sexes together has promise of nobler development and moral standard for both city and country of which we can all as Americans be proud.
Showing posts with label sex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sex. Show all posts
Friday, July 13, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Cult Has Christ in Rockford with Holy Ghost Children
Rockford, Illinois, 1889
Note: The first article mentions Rock Island but the actual place should have been Rockford. And the minister said to be the Son of God's name is missing an "i" that should be there, making it Schweinfurth. And I left the capitalization on "holy ghost" as published.
Something New for Rock Island
Of all the cranks that ever lived on the face of the earth Minneapolis has the worst, according to dispatches from there. His name is C. C. Whitney and he has a crazy idea in his head that Christ is on earth again in the flesh. He says that he lives in Rock Island and is a minister there by the name of Rev. G. J. Schwenfurth. Now we do not know whether there is such a man in Rock Island or not nor do we know anything further for or against him but Rock Island seems to be a queer place to select for the residence of the Christ. It is said that this man Whitney has succeeded in converting a number of people to his way of thinking.
—Davenport Morning Tribune, Davenport, IA, Feb. 16, 1889, p. 3.
MISS WELDON'S "HOLY CHILD"
Apostle Whitney Talks About the Latest Addition to Schweinfurth's Family
C. C. Whitney, the Minneapolis apostle of George J. Schweinfurth, has been seen and asked to explain the recent occurrence in Schweinfurth's household in Rockford, "the child born to Mary Weldon."
In reply Mr. Whitney said, "It was conceived by the holy ghost and born without sin. Miss Weldon is one of the redeemed."
"But did the holy ghost act through Mr. Schweinfurth?"
"That I am not prepared to say. The ways of God are inscrutable, but what I do say is we are no freelovers. We believe that absolute chastity should be the attribute of both sexes. We live perfectly pure, chaste lives."
"But how about man and wife, don't the members of your church who are married live together and raise children?"
"No, they do not. Any married couple bringing forth children would be considered guilty of adultery."
"But how about Miss Weldon?"
"That is different. She is one of the redeemed. The 'sanctified,' as St. Paul put it. None but the redeemed can bear children. These children are pure because they are conceived by the holy ghost, just as Jesus Christ was nearly 1,900 years ago."
"But how do you know Miss Weldon is redeemed or sanctified?"
"Because the spirit has announced that fact. It told her so three years ago when Mr. Schweinfurth was in Alpena, Mich."
"How many members of your church are redeemed?"
"I could not state positively, perhaps twelve or fifteen."
"Are any of them men?"
"None except Mr. Schweinfurth. Of course he is, as he is the son of God. The same spirit dwells in him that dwelt in Jesus Christ."
"Then do you claim that Mary Weldon was not approached by Mr. Schweinfurth and that he is not the physical father of her child?"
"I don't claim anything about which I don't know, but I know that child was conceived by the holy ghost."
"Do you think Miss Weldon would have borne that child if she had not seen a man for a year or two previous?"
"I do. I believe Miss Weldon to be, as she says she is, perfectly chaste."
"How, then, will the race be perpetuated?"
"By the holy ghost."
"The holy ghost will beget all the children when everybody is redeemed?"
"Yes, most certainly."
"What will man's function be? Wouldn't such an arrangement be considered rather partial?"
"I can't say as to that. All this is very mysterious. We can't divine God's purpose."
—Sioux Valley News, Correctionville, Iowa, Aug. 28, 1890, p. 1.
Note: In this article online, the writer says there was a cultish commune known as "Heaven," headed by George Jacob Schweinfurth, in Rockford. Some other interesting details are given there, including the cult eventually fading away and Schweinfurth moving to Chicago to sell real estate.
Note: The first article mentions Rock Island but the actual place should have been Rockford. And the minister said to be the Son of God's name is missing an "i" that should be there, making it Schweinfurth. And I left the capitalization on "holy ghost" as published.
Something New for Rock Island
Of all the cranks that ever lived on the face of the earth Minneapolis has the worst, according to dispatches from there. His name is C. C. Whitney and he has a crazy idea in his head that Christ is on earth again in the flesh. He says that he lives in Rock Island and is a minister there by the name of Rev. G. J. Schwenfurth. Now we do not know whether there is such a man in Rock Island or not nor do we know anything further for or against him but Rock Island seems to be a queer place to select for the residence of the Christ. It is said that this man Whitney has succeeded in converting a number of people to his way of thinking.
—Davenport Morning Tribune, Davenport, IA, Feb. 16, 1889, p. 3.
MISS WELDON'S "HOLY CHILD"
Apostle Whitney Talks About the Latest Addition to Schweinfurth's Family
C. C. Whitney, the Minneapolis apostle of George J. Schweinfurth, has been seen and asked to explain the recent occurrence in Schweinfurth's household in Rockford, "the child born to Mary Weldon."
In reply Mr. Whitney said, "It was conceived by the holy ghost and born without sin. Miss Weldon is one of the redeemed."
"But did the holy ghost act through Mr. Schweinfurth?"
"That I am not prepared to say. The ways of God are inscrutable, but what I do say is we are no freelovers. We believe that absolute chastity should be the attribute of both sexes. We live perfectly pure, chaste lives."
"But how about man and wife, don't the members of your church who are married live together and raise children?"
"No, they do not. Any married couple bringing forth children would be considered guilty of adultery."
"But how about Miss Weldon?"
"That is different. She is one of the redeemed. The 'sanctified,' as St. Paul put it. None but the redeemed can bear children. These children are pure because they are conceived by the holy ghost, just as Jesus Christ was nearly 1,900 years ago."
"But how do you know Miss Weldon is redeemed or sanctified?"
"Because the spirit has announced that fact. It told her so three years ago when Mr. Schweinfurth was in Alpena, Mich."
"How many members of your church are redeemed?"
"I could not state positively, perhaps twelve or fifteen."
"Are any of them men?"
"None except Mr. Schweinfurth. Of course he is, as he is the son of God. The same spirit dwells in him that dwelt in Jesus Christ."
"Then do you claim that Mary Weldon was not approached by Mr. Schweinfurth and that he is not the physical father of her child?"
"I don't claim anything about which I don't know, but I know that child was conceived by the holy ghost."
"Do you think Miss Weldon would have borne that child if she had not seen a man for a year or two previous?"
"I do. I believe Miss Weldon to be, as she says she is, perfectly chaste."
"How, then, will the race be perpetuated?"
"By the holy ghost."
"The holy ghost will beget all the children when everybody is redeemed?"
"Yes, most certainly."
"What will man's function be? Wouldn't such an arrangement be considered rather partial?"
"I can't say as to that. All this is very mysterious. We can't divine God's purpose."
—Sioux Valley News, Correctionville, Iowa, Aug. 28, 1890, p. 1.
Note: In this article online, the writer says there was a cultish commune known as "Heaven," headed by George Jacob Schweinfurth, in Rockford. Some other interesting details are given there, including the cult eventually fading away and Schweinfurth moving to Chicago to sell real estate.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Sex and Sin — Gender Differences and Morality
1902
Sex and Sin
An Interesting Discussion of an Old, Old Subject
"The woman thou gavest to be with me tempted me and I did eat." Such was the plea of Adam — and Adam has always been regarded by civilized people as a bit of a sneak for thus attempting to shift the burden of responsibility upon the sex which the highest development of chivalry demands that the male should protect. Bishop Spaldlng of Peoria is hardly to be classed with Adam when he characterizes the women of America as the source of three-quarters of the crime committed in this country, for he has no personal motive in making the accusation. He seems to be animated, rather, by a broad spirit of philosophical inquiry.
His impressions are evidently gained largely from the confessional and from the intimate observation of the details of family and social life permitted to a priest of his church. Physicians who, in a way, often serve as father confessors to the unfortunate, draw facts from their own experience which would lead to a similar conclusion. But in saying that women are the source of a large percentage of the crime we would not understand either the priest or the physician as saying that the women were culpably so. Eve may have had no intention of tempting Adam to sin. Manlike, he may have followed the lure of her beauty and her charm on his own responsibility, and resolved to tread the path of disobedience in her company, though it led to death.
The philosophic statement of the broad truth would be that the sex motive is at the bottom of seventy-five per cent of the crime in the world. Next to alimentiveness, amativeness is the strongest instinct in human nature. The race first seeks the means of continuing the individual existence, and next the means of continuing the species. Woman is at once the tempted and the temptress. The lawless passions of man wreak themselves on her, and she in her weakness protects herself with subtlety, oftentimes with deception. The consequences of common sin are more fearful to her than to the man, and she is taught from her childhood to protect her virtue at the sacrifice, if necessary, of other noble qualities — or that failing to do so she is utterly lost. Hence the reckless abandon of impure women. The boy, on the other hand, is taught that truth, courage, honor are of more importance than bodily purity. As society is largely constituted, the man violates the law of purity lightly, but holds to his other standards of honor, while the woman who shares his sin is dragged to utter degradation. The man perhaps recovers his balance; finds his standing in society not impaired, and leads a useful and honorable life, as worldly honors go. Thus the contrast between the two classes of sinners becomes accentuated to the disadvantage of the woman and the advantage of the man.
The scientist Lombroso accounts woman the immoral sex, because she has not the same standards of truth and honor and courage that men have. If she has not, it is the fault of her education and not of nature. Under existing standards she has not a fair chance in the world. But in spite of this a large percentage of the sex rise to moral heights of which men are incapable. Bishop Spalding's arraignment at first blush excites indignation; but when properly construed it is in reality more an arraignment of men and the false standards of education and morality, than of women as women. The fair sex may be the source of crime, through their attraction and fascination, without being themselves the responsible sinners. If the reader will keep this fact in view he (or she) will he able to appreciate the force of the bishop's observation without mentally accusing him of either false diagnosis or intentional slander. — Minneapolis Tribune.
—The Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, June 11, 1902, p. 3.
Sex and Sin
An Interesting Discussion of an Old, Old Subject
"The woman thou gavest to be with me tempted me and I did eat." Such was the plea of Adam — and Adam has always been regarded by civilized people as a bit of a sneak for thus attempting to shift the burden of responsibility upon the sex which the highest development of chivalry demands that the male should protect. Bishop Spaldlng of Peoria is hardly to be classed with Adam when he characterizes the women of America as the source of three-quarters of the crime committed in this country, for he has no personal motive in making the accusation. He seems to be animated, rather, by a broad spirit of philosophical inquiry.
His impressions are evidently gained largely from the confessional and from the intimate observation of the details of family and social life permitted to a priest of his church. Physicians who, in a way, often serve as father confessors to the unfortunate, draw facts from their own experience which would lead to a similar conclusion. But in saying that women are the source of a large percentage of the crime we would not understand either the priest or the physician as saying that the women were culpably so. Eve may have had no intention of tempting Adam to sin. Manlike, he may have followed the lure of her beauty and her charm on his own responsibility, and resolved to tread the path of disobedience in her company, though it led to death.
The philosophic statement of the broad truth would be that the sex motive is at the bottom of seventy-five per cent of the crime in the world. Next to alimentiveness, amativeness is the strongest instinct in human nature. The race first seeks the means of continuing the individual existence, and next the means of continuing the species. Woman is at once the tempted and the temptress. The lawless passions of man wreak themselves on her, and she in her weakness protects herself with subtlety, oftentimes with deception. The consequences of common sin are more fearful to her than to the man, and she is taught from her childhood to protect her virtue at the sacrifice, if necessary, of other noble qualities — or that failing to do so she is utterly lost. Hence the reckless abandon of impure women. The boy, on the other hand, is taught that truth, courage, honor are of more importance than bodily purity. As society is largely constituted, the man violates the law of purity lightly, but holds to his other standards of honor, while the woman who shares his sin is dragged to utter degradation. The man perhaps recovers his balance; finds his standing in society not impaired, and leads a useful and honorable life, as worldly honors go. Thus the contrast between the two classes of sinners becomes accentuated to the disadvantage of the woman and the advantage of the man.
The scientist Lombroso accounts woman the immoral sex, because she has not the same standards of truth and honor and courage that men have. If she has not, it is the fault of her education and not of nature. Under existing standards she has not a fair chance in the world. But in spite of this a large percentage of the sex rise to moral heights of which men are incapable. Bishop Spalding's arraignment at first blush excites indignation; but when properly construed it is in reality more an arraignment of men and the false standards of education and morality, than of women as women. The fair sex may be the source of crime, through their attraction and fascination, without being themselves the responsible sinners. If the reader will keep this fact in view he (or she) will he able to appreciate the force of the bishop's observation without mentally accusing him of either false diagnosis or intentional slander. — Minneapolis Tribune.
—The Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, June 11, 1902, p. 3.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Scandal Hits Two Ohio Churches: Pastor Gone, Another Pastor's Wife, Too
Note: There are picky little details that are inconsistent in these articles, minor stuff like the guy's name. I have a note at the bottom that spells it out. I have made everything more or less consistent, which may be more or less wrong. But if you happen to know of this case, and know what is correct, please leave a comment. If you have any other juicy details, such as where the people are buried, what ever became of them all, etc., please leave a comment.
Ohio, 1922
Preacher and Wife of His Friend Gone
Members of Two Marion Ministers' Families Mysteriously Disappear
MARION. — Two church communities near here were agog with gossip Saturday night, following the mysterious disappearance of Rev. W. W. Crabtree and information that Mrs. H. A. Rough, wife of Rev. Rough, was also missing.
Mrs. Crabtree came forth with a statement accusing her husband of an infatuation with Rev. Rough's wife, which she alleged extended over a year.
BEGINNING OF AFFAIR
The alleged affair began a year ago when the two ministers conducted a joint revival at Mount Gilead, the statement said, and since that time Mrs. Rough has frequently visited Rev. Crabtree's home.
Investigators, seeking a trace of the missing minister, were advised he had been seen near Chillicothe, but his trail was lost there. The disappearance followed Dr. Crabtree's resignation last Sunday. Later, he reconsidered and asked for leave of absence instead, which was granted. Immediately afterward, he left his home here, advising Mrs. Crabtree he was going to Louisiana.
WOMAN DISAPPEARS
The simultaneous disappearance of Mrs. Rough was learned Saturday, following the statement by the missing pastor's wife.
"I have the matter under prayerful consideration," was all Rev. Rough would say Saturday night. "God's will be done."
He refused to be disturbed by his wife's disappearance and insisted he would appear as usual before his little congregation Sunday.
—Lima News, Lima, OH, Jan. 15, 1922, p. 9.
PASTOR RUNS OFF WITH ANOTHER PASTOR'S WIFE
Scandal Hits Two Church Flocks in Ohio Towns.
Marion, OH, Jan. 16. — Green Camp, a village of 700 or 800 inhabitants six miles southwest of Marion, is convulsed over the elopement of the Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of the Free Baptist church, with the 36-year-old wife of Rev. H. A. Rough of Morrow county, pastor of Bryn Zion church.
Crabtree's pulpit was declared vacant today and charges of moral turpitude were filed with the Rev. Roberts Hughes of Bucyrus, district superintendent. The latter occupied the Green Camp pulpit this morning, and the revival services conducted by Arthur Arnet, Moody Bible institute student, were declared closed.
Mrs. Crabtree made public the charges against her husband three days after he disappeared and trustees of the church established the fact that he and Mrs. Rough left in Crabtree's automobile. Crabtree is said to have told his wife in a note that he was going to Louisiana.
Neither Mrs. Crabtree nor the Rev. Mr. Rough will prosecute, but an uncle of Mrs. Rough has engaged attorneys to prosecute the couple. Action looking to the unfrocking of Crabtree will be brought at once, members of his Green Camp church pulpit committee said today.
Crabtree is 46 years old. He came to Green Camp two years ago from Plain City with his wife, and two children, one of whom is a boy 23 years old. The Rev. Mr. Rough, aged 50, has been pastor of Bryn Zion church a number of years. A year ago Crabtree assisted him in conducting a revival at Bryn Zion.
"Let God be their judge," was the only comment of Mr. Rough, when he came here to investigate facts relating to the elopement.
—The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, IA, Jan. 16, 1922, p. 3.
PASTOR LOCATES HIS LOST WIFE, HE SAYS
ZANESVILLE, Jan. 18.—"Although I do not wish to make a statement at this time, I will assure you that I have heard from Mrs. Rough and believe I know where she and the Rev. W. W. Crabtree are located," said the Rev. H. A. Rough, pastor of the Zion Baptist church of Mount Gilead, whose wife and Rev. Crabtree have both disappeared from their homes near Marion. The simultaneous disappearance created a sensation in Marion Co.
In the conversation Rev. Rough said that such sensational reports had been started concerning the disappearance of Mrs. Rough and Rev. Crabtree that he did not feel justified in making any statement about the affair.
However he hastened to add, Mrs. Rough had written him and had explained the matter.
Rev. Rough said that at the conclusion of series of meetings which he is holding at Duncan Falls, ten miles from here, he would have a statement for the newspapers which would thoroughly explain the affair.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, OH, Jan. 18, 1922, p. 1.
MT. GILEAD PASTOR'S WIFE SENDS PARTING NOTE; SAYS FAREWELL
ZANESVILLE, Jan. 20.—Deserted by his erring but as yet unrepentant wife, Rev. H. A. Rough, pastor of the Bryn Zion Baptist church, near Mount Gilead, who is now conducting evangelistic services at Duncan Falls, makes public the following letter received from Mrs. Rough since her disappearance 10 days ago, presumably in company with Rev. W. W. Crabtree, a friend and neighbor of the Roughs and until the elopement, pastor of the Green Camp Baptist church near Mt. Gilead.
"Harvey: "Now before you read this letter, pray for strength, for the last few years I have not been satisfied but I have stayed with you and kept your house and tried to make it happy for your sake and the respect I have for you. And I didn't want to do anything to hurt your work. I have tried to get you to sell out different times as I wanted to get you out of the ministry, but have failed in all my attempts.
"I have not been true to you, I was down to Columbus when you were away in your other meetings, and down again last week, so I couldn't stay with you any longer. I left Monday morning and it is for good.
"I am on my way to Cincinnati; don't know where I will go from there, but I will never come back. I know you wouldn't want me back. I have left you everything, so if you break up, tell my mother so she can come up and get things ready. I am going to write her a few lines today. Now, above all things, don't tell Crabtree what I am, as we have been such good friends. They took me in their home and treated me so good. I would hate for them to know what kind of a wife you had.
"One thing more, and the last thing I will ever ask of you is, that you forgive me for the wrong I am doing you; and pray for me that some day I may accept God and be ready to meet Him at the judgment.
"I feel that you will forgive me, as you have that spirit of Christ in you. Now forget me only as you pray for me, for I never will live with you again. I hope I may never have to face you. Goodby, now for the last time. (Signed) EMMA."
—The Coshocton Tribune, Jan. 20, 1922, p. 3.
DENIES LEAVING WITH PASTOR
Wife Writes Zanesville Minister Farewell, However
ZANESVILLE — (By Associated Press) — A new chapter was written here today in the dual mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of Mrs. H. A. Rough, wife of the pastor of Zion Baptist church near Mt. Gilead, and Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of Green Camp Baptist church, near Marion.
Rev. H. A. Rough, who is conducting a revival at Duncan Falls, near here, made public a letter he said he had received from his wife in which she intimates that she and Crabtree did not leave together.
"Above all things, don't tell Crabtree what I am, as we have been such good friends," a passage in Mrs. Rough's alleged letter reads. "They took me in their home and treated me so good. I would hate for them to know what kind of a wife you had."
These statements follow other paragraphs in which Mrs. Rough stated that having failed in her attempts to get Rev. Rough to give up the ministry she "couldn't stay with you any longer."
"I am on my way to Cincinnati; don't know where I will go from there, but I will never come back," the letter said. "I hope I may never have to face you. Goodbye now, for last time."
—The Lima News, Lima, OH, Jan. 19, 1922, p. 1.
Other details:
Green Camp M.E. church
Bishop Anderson of Cincinnati to take up the matter of unfrocking Crabtree.
Mrs. Rough is childless.
—The Mansfield News, Mansfield, OH, Jan. 14, 1922, p. 1.
Additional
Feb. 24 Rough brought suit for divorce against Mrs. Rough. "The petition recites that Rev. Mr. Crabtree at the time was holding revival services in Muskingum county and that Mrs. Rough left her home and went to Marion, from which place she joined Rev. Mr. Crabtree."
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, OH, Feb. 24, 1922, p. 8.
Second Divorce Grows Out Of Big Scandal
MARION, O., Feb. 25. — Rev. H. A. Rough, former Bryn Zion Baptist church pastor in Morrow county, today filed suit at Mt. Gilead for divorce from Emma Rough, charging that on January 10 last she eloped with Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of the Green Camp Baptist church.
A few weeks ago Mrs. W. W. Crabtree instituted divorce proceedings, but did not name Mrs. Rough as co-respondent.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, OH, Feb. 25, 1922, p. 6.
Notes: Sometimes "Rough" is referred to as "Hough." Sometimes he's "H. U." and "H. W." instead of "H. A." I changed all the references to "Rough" and made his initials "H. A." throughout. Basically, I don't know which is correct.
As for my personal opinions, based on nothing more than the information in these articles, Rev. Rough doesn't sound overly broken-up about any of this. He was able to continue his revivals, and he would be in church Sunday as normal. Releasing the letter to the press, and what I would call blithe comments about "God's will be done" make it sound like his emotional attachment is limited. Maybe that's the kind of guy he was to live with, too!
As for Mrs. Rough's letter. This must be the note that was originally referred to in one of the earlier articles, that explained everything. The fact that she doesn't want him to tell the Crabtrees could indicate that she'd written it before any kind of running away with Crabtree was definite or even planned. She says she'd been to Cincinnati a couple times, implying some hanky panky took place there. And that she's going back there. She may have left the note, somehow made contact with Crabtree days later, and the two of them hatched out a plan to run off together. The news story that sees this as a denial that they ran off together doesn't consider the timing of the note and what could've taken place after it was written. Although factor this in, that Crabtree had resigned a week earlier, then asked for a leave of absence, etc. They may have discussed it, but then the reference to not telling the Crabtrees wouldn't make much sense.
OK, with that I must bid a fond farewell to the lot of them myself. If you have any additional details, please leave them in the comments.
Ohio, 1922
Preacher and Wife of His Friend Gone
Members of Two Marion Ministers' Families Mysteriously Disappear
MARION. — Two church communities near here were agog with gossip Saturday night, following the mysterious disappearance of Rev. W. W. Crabtree and information that Mrs. H. A. Rough, wife of Rev. Rough, was also missing.
Mrs. Crabtree came forth with a statement accusing her husband of an infatuation with Rev. Rough's wife, which she alleged extended over a year.
BEGINNING OF AFFAIR
The alleged affair began a year ago when the two ministers conducted a joint revival at Mount Gilead, the statement said, and since that time Mrs. Rough has frequently visited Rev. Crabtree's home.
Investigators, seeking a trace of the missing minister, were advised he had been seen near Chillicothe, but his trail was lost there. The disappearance followed Dr. Crabtree's resignation last Sunday. Later, he reconsidered and asked for leave of absence instead, which was granted. Immediately afterward, he left his home here, advising Mrs. Crabtree he was going to Louisiana.
WOMAN DISAPPEARS
The simultaneous disappearance of Mrs. Rough was learned Saturday, following the statement by the missing pastor's wife.
"I have the matter under prayerful consideration," was all Rev. Rough would say Saturday night. "God's will be done."
He refused to be disturbed by his wife's disappearance and insisted he would appear as usual before his little congregation Sunday.
—Lima News, Lima, OH, Jan. 15, 1922, p. 9.
PASTOR RUNS OFF WITH ANOTHER PASTOR'S WIFE
Scandal Hits Two Church Flocks in Ohio Towns.
Marion, OH, Jan. 16. — Green Camp, a village of 700 or 800 inhabitants six miles southwest of Marion, is convulsed over the elopement of the Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of the Free Baptist church, with the 36-year-old wife of Rev. H. A. Rough of Morrow county, pastor of Bryn Zion church.
Crabtree's pulpit was declared vacant today and charges of moral turpitude were filed with the Rev. Roberts Hughes of Bucyrus, district superintendent. The latter occupied the Green Camp pulpit this morning, and the revival services conducted by Arthur Arnet, Moody Bible institute student, were declared closed.
Mrs. Crabtree made public the charges against her husband three days after he disappeared and trustees of the church established the fact that he and Mrs. Rough left in Crabtree's automobile. Crabtree is said to have told his wife in a note that he was going to Louisiana.
Neither Mrs. Crabtree nor the Rev. Mr. Rough will prosecute, but an uncle of Mrs. Rough has engaged attorneys to prosecute the couple. Action looking to the unfrocking of Crabtree will be brought at once, members of his Green Camp church pulpit committee said today.
Crabtree is 46 years old. He came to Green Camp two years ago from Plain City with his wife, and two children, one of whom is a boy 23 years old. The Rev. Mr. Rough, aged 50, has been pastor of Bryn Zion church a number of years. A year ago Crabtree assisted him in conducting a revival at Bryn Zion.
"Let God be their judge," was the only comment of Mr. Rough, when he came here to investigate facts relating to the elopement.
—The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, IA, Jan. 16, 1922, p. 3.
PASTOR LOCATES HIS LOST WIFE, HE SAYS
ZANESVILLE, Jan. 18.—"Although I do not wish to make a statement at this time, I will assure you that I have heard from Mrs. Rough and believe I know where she and the Rev. W. W. Crabtree are located," said the Rev. H. A. Rough, pastor of the Zion Baptist church of Mount Gilead, whose wife and Rev. Crabtree have both disappeared from their homes near Marion. The simultaneous disappearance created a sensation in Marion Co.
In the conversation Rev. Rough said that such sensational reports had been started concerning the disappearance of Mrs. Rough and Rev. Crabtree that he did not feel justified in making any statement about the affair.
However he hastened to add, Mrs. Rough had written him and had explained the matter.
Rev. Rough said that at the conclusion of series of meetings which he is holding at Duncan Falls, ten miles from here, he would have a statement for the newspapers which would thoroughly explain the affair.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, OH, Jan. 18, 1922, p. 1.
MT. GILEAD PASTOR'S WIFE SENDS PARTING NOTE; SAYS FAREWELL
ZANESVILLE, Jan. 20.—Deserted by his erring but as yet unrepentant wife, Rev. H. A. Rough, pastor of the Bryn Zion Baptist church, near Mount Gilead, who is now conducting evangelistic services at Duncan Falls, makes public the following letter received from Mrs. Rough since her disappearance 10 days ago, presumably in company with Rev. W. W. Crabtree, a friend and neighbor of the Roughs and until the elopement, pastor of the Green Camp Baptist church near Mt. Gilead.
"Harvey: "Now before you read this letter, pray for strength, for the last few years I have not been satisfied but I have stayed with you and kept your house and tried to make it happy for your sake and the respect I have for you. And I didn't want to do anything to hurt your work. I have tried to get you to sell out different times as I wanted to get you out of the ministry, but have failed in all my attempts.
"I have not been true to you, I was down to Columbus when you were away in your other meetings, and down again last week, so I couldn't stay with you any longer. I left Monday morning and it is for good.
"I am on my way to Cincinnati; don't know where I will go from there, but I will never come back. I know you wouldn't want me back. I have left you everything, so if you break up, tell my mother so she can come up and get things ready. I am going to write her a few lines today. Now, above all things, don't tell Crabtree what I am, as we have been such good friends. They took me in their home and treated me so good. I would hate for them to know what kind of a wife you had.
"One thing more, and the last thing I will ever ask of you is, that you forgive me for the wrong I am doing you; and pray for me that some day I may accept God and be ready to meet Him at the judgment.
"I feel that you will forgive me, as you have that spirit of Christ in you. Now forget me only as you pray for me, for I never will live with you again. I hope I may never have to face you. Goodby, now for the last time. (Signed) EMMA."
—The Coshocton Tribune, Jan. 20, 1922, p. 3.
DENIES LEAVING WITH PASTOR
Wife Writes Zanesville Minister Farewell, However
ZANESVILLE — (By Associated Press) — A new chapter was written here today in the dual mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of Mrs. H. A. Rough, wife of the pastor of Zion Baptist church near Mt. Gilead, and Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of Green Camp Baptist church, near Marion.
Rev. H. A. Rough, who is conducting a revival at Duncan Falls, near here, made public a letter he said he had received from his wife in which she intimates that she and Crabtree did not leave together.
"Above all things, don't tell Crabtree what I am, as we have been such good friends," a passage in Mrs. Rough's alleged letter reads. "They took me in their home and treated me so good. I would hate for them to know what kind of a wife you had."
These statements follow other paragraphs in which Mrs. Rough stated that having failed in her attempts to get Rev. Rough to give up the ministry she "couldn't stay with you any longer."
"I am on my way to Cincinnati; don't know where I will go from there, but I will never come back," the letter said. "I hope I may never have to face you. Goodbye now, for last time."
—The Lima News, Lima, OH, Jan. 19, 1922, p. 1.
Other details:
Green Camp M.E. church
Bishop Anderson of Cincinnati to take up the matter of unfrocking Crabtree.
Mrs. Rough is childless.
—The Mansfield News, Mansfield, OH, Jan. 14, 1922, p. 1.
Additional
Feb. 24 Rough brought suit for divorce against Mrs. Rough. "The petition recites that Rev. Mr. Crabtree at the time was holding revival services in Muskingum county and that Mrs. Rough left her home and went to Marion, from which place she joined Rev. Mr. Crabtree."
—The Newark Advocate, Newark, OH, Feb. 24, 1922, p. 8.
Second Divorce Grows Out Of Big Scandal
MARION, O., Feb. 25. — Rev. H. A. Rough, former Bryn Zion Baptist church pastor in Morrow county, today filed suit at Mt. Gilead for divorce from Emma Rough, charging that on January 10 last she eloped with Rev. W. W. Crabtree, pastor of the Green Camp Baptist church.
A few weeks ago Mrs. W. W. Crabtree instituted divorce proceedings, but did not name Mrs. Rough as co-respondent.
—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, OH, Feb. 25, 1922, p. 6.
Notes: Sometimes "Rough" is referred to as "Hough." Sometimes he's "H. U." and "H. W." instead of "H. A." I changed all the references to "Rough" and made his initials "H. A." throughout. Basically, I don't know which is correct.
As for my personal opinions, based on nothing more than the information in these articles, Rev. Rough doesn't sound overly broken-up about any of this. He was able to continue his revivals, and he would be in church Sunday as normal. Releasing the letter to the press, and what I would call blithe comments about "God's will be done" make it sound like his emotional attachment is limited. Maybe that's the kind of guy he was to live with, too!
As for Mrs. Rough's letter. This must be the note that was originally referred to in one of the earlier articles, that explained everything. The fact that she doesn't want him to tell the Crabtrees could indicate that she'd written it before any kind of running away with Crabtree was definite or even planned. She says she'd been to Cincinnati a couple times, implying some hanky panky took place there. And that she's going back there. She may have left the note, somehow made contact with Crabtree days later, and the two of them hatched out a plan to run off together. The news story that sees this as a denial that they ran off together doesn't consider the timing of the note and what could've taken place after it was written. Although factor this in, that Crabtree had resigned a week earlier, then asked for a leave of absence, etc. They may have discussed it, but then the reference to not telling the Crabtrees wouldn't make much sense.
OK, with that I must bid a fond farewell to the lot of them myself. If you have any additional details, please leave them in the comments.
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