Hide Article Text (OCR)
Mr. Tompson’s Vindication is Complete.HE DID NOT STEAL THE COATThe Investigation Made byJoseph Clemons, on Behalfof the African M. E. ZionChurch, Brings That FactOut Clearly and Conclusively.Frederick Thompson, for a week,was the object of suspicion. Histroubles nearly resulted in his beingchurched,” and all without cause.r. Thompson is a prominent member of the African M. E. Zion church.He has been 011 the official board, thesuperintendent of the Sunday school,a singer in the choir and almosteverything else that is exalted. Thatis why the report that he had beencaught stealing a coat caused such asensation, and resulted in JosephClemons, member of the official boardand leading worker, setting about aninvestigation. Mr. Clemons declinedto say what progress he had madewhen asked about the matter, but it is understood that he lias found outnough to satisfy himself that Mr.hompson is entirely innocent of theIdiarge.As a matter of fact it was all a*oke. Mr. Thompson, popular withlie cierks in the clothing stores, justKS he is witn everybody else,* wasmade to ‘‘try 011” a brand new‘swallow tail,” the other day. Thecterks, who intended to give Mr.T lompson the coat, wanted to seehow he looked. Mr. Thompson, inthe coat, surveyed himself in severalmirrors, got to talking about his recent festival and then aimost mechanically walked out. Marshal Kitchenhappened to be near at hand, and at asign from the clerks, caught hold ofthe erstwhile bone merchant and escorted him back to the store. Mr.Thompson protested that he wasguilty of 110 conscious wrong. Theclerks and the marshal, with mockseriousness, told Thompson a tale ofjails and workhouses, but in the endlaughed, patted him on the back andgave him a bundle of garments.But the mischief had been done. A(colored citizen, not a member of Mr.Thompson’s church, and who never1had a kindly feeling for either Mr.Thopmson or the rest of the congre- ^ gat ion, happened along when themarshal and clerks were at the serious stage. This citizen hurried awayItwith a lurid story of what had beenseen and heard, and in a day looksof askance and suspicion were Mr.Thompson’s portion. Then the churchgot to investigating.1‘‘It is in just such a way,” remarked the Rev. Jane Guinn, pastor of *Mr. Thompson’s church, ‘‘that dam- Gaging stories get circulated. Weshould be careful not to speak wrong sof another unless we are quite surewe are speaking the truth, and not to believe what we hear till we know it I dto be true. ” hJ!
Newspaper Details
Massillon Evening Independent
Massillon, Ohio, US
Fri, Sep 27, 1901
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Massillon P.
OH, USA 24 Apr 2023
Other Publications Near Massillon, Ohio
Massillon Daily Independent
Massillon Item
Massillon News
Massillon Independent
Evening Independent
