The Buzzards Gather

Abstract

At the church trial in October 1884, Ella Gould testified at length about her husband's liaisons with their servants throughout his several Kentucky pastorates and his years at Millersburg. She gave graphic accounts of his bouts of drunkenness and violent behavior. Correspondence between George and Texie was unearthed. Faculty testified to his abuse of drink and a member of Texie's family testified to his inordinate interest in her. Hearsay evidence was admitted, even a letter reconstructed from memory. George admitted that his marriage was not a happy one but argued that he loved Texie in the same way that he loved all his students. After a week of testimony, the committee hearing the case ruled him guilty of having separated from his wife and of drinking whiskey. He was suspended from his ministerial functions.