Baptist Church 1869

From Elsie Yohr

Oshkosh Northwestern

May, 1869

A Waupaca Sensation

One of our up river correspondents sends us the following:

About a year ago a stranger came to the village of Waupaca in the garb of a Minister and as such was invited to preach in the Baptist Church, being just then without a pastor. His name was Ralph W. Williams, eloquent and impressive in his address, he made a marked impression and many friends, and became very popular. The Church never thought to ask him for his letter of admission, but at once presumed him to be a member in good standing . All seemed to go well. He returned to the State of New York for his family, who were accompanied here by a Mrs. Lomas, a widow lady, and niece to the Rev. Gentleman. Williams was in reality a Second Adventist, and had not long been settled before there were murmurs of dissent at his doctrine. These grew apace and the question became an open one, and ultimately led to a serious imbrogle. A council, composed of the Minister and delegates from the various surrounding churches was organized, and on Wednesday last was held at Waupaca, where it transpired that he was an old imposter, that he was no Baptist, that he had been expelled from his former church; and that while residing at W. with his family, had seduced Mrs. Lomas, and had aided in procuring an abortion upon her, and of being guilty of various other derelictions. As he had never formally joined the church, they could do nothing with him. His case will probably go before the grand jury.