Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1914 — MINISTER ASKED TO RESIGN. [ARTICLE]

MINISTER ASKED TO RESIGN.

Flock of Remington Divine Resent His Marriage So Soon After Wife’s Death. The town is greatly agitated just at present over the hasty marriage of Rev. R. O. Wickham which event took place op New Year’s day, we are Informed, in Michigan. The peculiar facts that led up to this marriage are of an order, rather sensational and not being entirely familiar with all the facts concerning this we shall reserve judgment until his story is either confirmed or nenied. Just at present there is every kind of a story afloat and no authentcity to any of them so far as any one knows. The bare facts so far made public are that the lady, Miss Coral Miles, who Is from Flair Oaks, made a trip with him to Chicago. And while Mr. Wickham declares there was no laws broken morally or legally her father made a great ado about it and the marriage resulted.

The church board has considered the matter and for the best interests of the church have asked for his resignation.—-Remington Press. Rev. Wickham, who is the pastor of the Christian church at. Remington and was highly respected, lost his wife about Dec. 1, and it is the fact of his marrying again so soon that seems to be condemned more than the indiscreet trip to Chicago with tiie young lady he married, Miss Coral Miles, who is the daughter of R. L. Miles of Newton county, over west of Fair Oaks, and a highly respected young woman—as also is her family—and is well liked by everyone. The trip to Chicago is said to have been of no evil intent and no wrong was committed, but it is reported that the father of Miss Mi’es thought their trip there would cause comment, and therefore insisted on their being married at once. They were married at St. Joespb, Mich., Jan. 1, Edward Phegley of Bowling Green, Ind., an uncle of the bride, ( witnessing the ceremony. Rev. Wickham is <lulte well-known to many Rensselaer people, also at Fair Oaks, where he has frequently preached, and was highly thought of. He has certainly acted in a very indiscreet manner and no doubt it will handicap him in following his profession, even if it does not force him from the ministry altogether.