Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 June 1909 — LOSES STANDING AS A MINISTER [ARTICLE]

LOSES STANDING AS A MINISTER

Presbytery Deposesßev.Bunl of Elizabethtown. CHARGES INVOLVE WOMEN Committee Finds That the Pastor Had Been Guilty of Conduct Unbecoming a Clergyman—Report From Cities Where the Preacher Had Presided Over Other Flocks Helped Investigators Reach Decision —Names Are Suppressed. Indianapolis, June 29. —On charges that he had been guilty of conduct unbecoming a minister in that he had been unduly familiar with women whose names were not made public, Rev. William F. Hunt, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Elizabethtown, was deposed from the office of minister of the Presbyterian church at a meeting of the Indianapolis presbytery at the Second Presbyterian church. This action disqualifies Hunt as a minister in any church of the Presbyterian denomination. Several weeks ago rumors were started which involved Hunt and Miss Belah Remy of Elizabethtown. Hunt finally requested an investigation by the presbytery, and a special committee was appointed to investigate the case. Hunt is fifty-two years old, and for the last thirteen years has held charges in Illinois and Indiana. He is married and has grown children. The committee consisting of Dr. F. O. Ballard, Rev. A. R. Miles and R. A. Brown, all of Indianapolis, issued thi3 statement: “Mr. Hunt, in the committee’s judgment, had been guilty of indiscretion in his conduct which conduct naturally caused rumors and charges in his town. “Reports from other places where Mr. Hunt had held pastorates in another denomination were considered.”