A Libel Trial Among Ministers Promises a Scandal in Open Court
Rev. M. H. Nichols faces a criminal libel charge over accusations against Rev. T. B. Ford, and a California witness has arrived to testify about old “irregularities” in Arkansas.
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The trial of Rev. M. H. Nichols, charged with criminally libeling Rev. T. B. Ford of the Methodist church, is set on Judge Humes’ calendar for tomorrow. Rev. D. W. Calfee, the California witness on whose account the case has been postponed, will be in attendance, having arrived from Yolo on last evening’s train. Mr. Calfee was seen at the Arlington shortly after his arrival, but declined to say much about the case. He knew both Dr. Ford and Mr. Nichols in Arkansas many years ago, but has not had any dealings with either for a long time. He says he is here to tell the truth and not to injure any man, but just what the truth is will be learned only after he takes the witness stand. Mr. Calfee has charge of the Methodist church at Yolo. The case promises to develop a scandal among the ministers, as Mr. Calfee is said to be ready to swear that Dr. Ford, while in Arkansas, was guilty of grave irregularities, which Mr. Nichols alleged in the circular which is the basis of the proceedings.
“The case promises to develop a scandal among the ministers.”
Clergy defamation fights once filled columns with moral accusation and reputational ruin; today the same appetite survives in public scandal and online reputation wars. The case shows how a private feud could become a civic spectacle.
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