The Wicked Reverend of Chesaning

1876 was a significant year in the history of Chesaning, for this was the moment when people across the nation began to take a keen interest in the local happenings in our normally quiet corner of Michigan.

But I’m sorry to report that it was not for the finer qualities of small-town living that Chesaning would become famous…or rather, infamous.

The closing months of 1876 would see newspapers across the country carry reports of the notorious “Chesaning Murder,” in which local farmer Charles Smith became the victim of a murder plot carried out by his wife, Mary Smith, and the young farmhand she had taken as a lover.

But these terrible events were preceded by another local scandal, earlier in that same year, that also attracted a considerable amount of outside attention.

Chesaning had no newspaper in operation at this time, so we can only follow events from a distance, despite the impact they must have had on the local community.

Grave charges have been preferred against the Rev. F. W. May, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Chesaning […] and Presiding Elder Bartlet has cited Mr. May to appear before a board of pastors of the church for trial [...]. The charges are adultery, improper proposals and advances to the ladies of the church, and slanderous and unchristian expressions against the members of the church.

Jackson Citizen Patriot, February 29, 1876.

The person at the center of this scandal was the Reverend Franklin May (1825-1880), pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Chesaning. His obituary offers a vivid description of the man.

Mr. May was a man of powerful physique and commanding presence, formerly the very picture of physical beauty, and though not a man of extensive culture or reading, his native talents were very marked, and, as a public speaker, he was always forcible and sometimes powerful. He was a stout and uncompromising defender of any cause which he espoused; always true to his convictions and his friends. He was one of the early anti-slavery men, and to the last a very earnest advocate and worker in the temperance cause, frequently speaking at temperance meetings and conventions.

As a man, Mr. May was always genial and companionable, making acquaintances and friends easily, a kind neighbor, a good husband, and a tender and indulgent father. In the day of his prosperity his home was always the center of domestic happiness and neighborly good fellowship, and no man was ever more generous to his friends. This was almost a failing with him, and led him to exaggerate the merits and virtues of those in whom he took an interest.

The Kalamazoo Gazette, September 15, 1880.

Franklin May was also a man with an impeccable pedigree, being the son of Deacon Rockwell May, an early pioneer of Kalamazoo.

Rockewell May (1799-1895), a native of Massachusetts, is said to have come from the best puritan stock. He was heavily involved in both the early temperance movement and the anti-slavery movement, and is one of the original founders of the Republican Party.

Several of Franklin’s brothers also had notable careers in both war and politics.

Gordon May (1833-1892) served as a cavalry officer in the Civil War, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Charles May (1830–1901) was a Captain in the Second Michigan Infantry, and fought in the battles of Bull Run and Blackburn’s Ford. Poor health forced him to resign from the army, but he was soon elected to the office of lieutenant governor of Michigan, and served from 1863 to 1866.

Dwight May (1822-1880), the most accomplished member of the family, spent most of the Civil War in uniform, fought in numerous battles, and was eventually given a battlefield promotion to brigadier general. He was also elected to the office of lieutenant governor of Michigan, serving from 1867 to 1869. He then served a term as Michigan’s Attorney General, from 1869 to 1873.

It is no wonder that a scandal involving the member of such a prominent family should attract so much attention.

Reverend May denied any and all charges of wrongdoing, and insisted that they had been “instigated against him with the intent of malicious persecution by persons unworthy of belief.”

This was not the first time that his character had been called into question, however, and he had already developed quite the reputation for engaging in just this sort of behavior.

He was found guilty under similar charges while pastor of a church at Corunna, some time ago, but his brethren and sisters forgave him and gave him another chance. Stories were also afloat about him while he had charge of a flock at South Saginaw, but, “owing to the delicate nature of the offense and the fact of the removal of the reverend gentlemen to Chesaning, about the time the crisis was likely to arise, no charges were preferred.

The Springfield Daily Republican, April 14, 1878.

He still enjoyed a considerable amount of public support in his former hometown of Kalamazoo, and the local paper printed several editorials defending the honor of their embattled native son.

...the whole matter has sprung out of a church quarrel, the most bitter, the most unreasoning and the most relentless of all human quarrels. For all these reasons, it is well to suspend judgement, at least until the more mature and dispassionate verdict of the general conference can be rendered.

The Kalamazoo Gazette, April 12, 1876.

Public opinion in Chesaning was also reported to have strongly favored the Reverend, with several local notables signing their name to a proclamation of support.

We, the citizens of Chesaning desiring that the public should know the facts in reference to the recent ecclesiastical trial of Rev. F. W. May, with a personal knowledge of the man and of his daily walk among us for nearly two years, feel it to be our duty to him and common justice to our town, to most emphatically affirm our confidence in him as a christian minister, and to state that we believe him innocent of the main charge of adultery; if not, indeed, of all the church committee found against him.

Let the world know what we know. This man was only confronted by the unreasonable statement of a fallen woman, one who was expelled from the church one year ago, but who was ruled a member during the trial by the Presiding Elder, that she might blacken the reputation of a Christian minister, and this too, while five of our most respectable citizens gave a counter-statement, together with one of the most prominent witnesses for the prosecution.

This woman had previously signed a libel solemnly taking back this very charge upon oath, and afterwards acknowledged her signature to it upon the stand. Her statement is unreasonable, as she fixed the scene in a conspicuous place and by daylight; and we can but think that great injustice has been done our friend and neighbor by the unreasonable rulings of the chair, as well as the deep prejudice manifested by the court, against the accused, and the low vile rumors of enemies in Chesaning and elsewhere, which were poured into the ears of the reverend gentlemen, who sat in judgement upon their accused brother.

Isabella Enterprise, May 3, 1878.

The “fallen woman” in question was a local housewife named Caroline Parker, who appears to have been the chief witness against Reverend May.

At the investigation of the charges against Rev. F. W. May, at Chesaning, Wednesday, Mrs. Caroline Parker was called to the stand for the prosecution. The defense objected to her testimony on the ground that the witness had invalidated her evidence by signing a retraction. The objection was overruled and the witness testified that in March, 1874, Mr. May came to her house, and while there sat in a chair close by her side and asked if they could not be friends. He put his knees against hers and pressed her hand and asked her to go to his house that night, as his wife was not home, she being at Corunna. The witness told him such things were not right; both were married and he was a minister of the gospel. Mr. May said a little marriage ceremony did not make any difference, and there seemed an affinity between them, and when his wife go home they could meet in by-places. His hat and gloves were in the bedroom and the witness stepped in to get them, and Mr. May followed her in and attempted to kiss her; put his arms around her waist and pressed her to him, and told her if she would go to his house that night he would not go to the lodge. She pushed him away and told him never to do that again.

While there the witness told him she heard rumors and complaints had been made to the church against her for ill-treating her mother and picking berries on Sunday. Mr. May hit her on the hand with his glove and told her they could not kill her for that. The Board had talked the matter over and Mr. Quiqley was appointed to see her, but he (May) thought he would come himself; that if she would come to church as usual he would not report to the Board and nothing would be done about it. The witness explained the rumors, denying any ill-treatment of her mother, but admitted the berrying charge. When Mr. May left he pressed her hand again and said he would not see a member of his church abused.

The witness testified that a week previous to Mr. May's visit she met him at Goodale's store, and he shook hands and pressed her foot. The witness said she did not go to May's house when he desired, and that on the 22d of May she saw him go into a grove near the church. The witness saw him and another woman standing together, and soon laid down upon the ground. It was the opinion of the witness that they were in the act of adultery. When Mr. May left the grove the witness, following and overtaking him, told him what she had seen and that she would expose him. He said no one would believe her and if she told he would kill her or any one else to protect himself.

The witness said afterwards Mr. May asked her to sign a paper that she had seen nothing out of the way, or he would prosecute her, and she refused. He repeatedly threatened to kill her if she exposed him, and would bring persons to swear that they would not believe her under oath. The witness was cross-examined, during which she testified that at the time of Mr. May's visit to her house he did not tell her that the Board had sent him to see her, and further, that she had previously seen things at class and prayer meetings that did not look right. The court then adjourned.

Jackson Citizen Patriot, March 31, 1876.

Whatever the truth may have been in regards to Mrs. Parker’s personal integrity, it does appear that she was not the only person to have seen the defendent engaging in suspicious behavior.

Chloe Lebbie, an old lady, testified that she lived in the north part of the town, and while going home from the village one night in June last saw a man and woman ahead of her. Witness watched until they entered the woods. She was satisfied the man was Elder May, but did not know who the woman was; did not think it was his wife, as she always dressed in black, and the woman with him was dressed in light clothes.

Detroit Free Press, April 1, 1876.

There appear to have been several persons willing to come forward and testify against the Reverend.

Mrs. Sarah J. Birdsall testified that Mr. May met her about two and a half miles from her home in the middle of March, 1875, and took her home, and while she was kindling a fire Mr. May came up behind her, put his arm around her neck and kissed her, but said nothing. He soon after left. The next week she went to Mr. May's house on a visit, and while there he asked her into the parlor, and while she was looking at something on the center table he put his arm on her shoulder and kissed her. That was all the insult offered at that or any other time. J. G. Van Fessen testified that he was at a meeting of the Sabbath School Aid Society at J. J. E. Johnson's. There he saw Rev. Mr. May and a lady, not his wife, standing close together, and that May had his hand on her thigh and back portion of her body.

Detroit Free Press, March 30, 1876.

Franklin May was eventually found guilty of the charges of adultery and perjury, and suspended from the ministry, although he appears to have emerged with his public reputation largely intact.

Rev. F. W. May, of Chesaning, is enjoying all the luxuries of the season. A short time ago he had a church trial, and now his flock has presented him with $328.

Chicago Weekly Post and Mail, April 27, 1876.

The greatest victim in all of this was Franklin May’s no-doubt long suffering wife, Marcia Stafford May (1825-1876), who died unexpectedly shortly after the verdict was delivered.

On Monday afternoon, the people of Kalamazoo were startled by the news which spread quickly over town, that Mrs. May, wife of the Rev. Frank W. May, had suddenly passed from life. She was known to be a woman in apparent health, full of life and vivacity and possessing remarkable endurance for one of her age. She was well known by our people, respected and beloved by all and there was regret and sorrow felt by all who heard the painful news.

Mrs. May came here from Chesaning a few days ago to see her father, Mr. Stafford, who she heard was sick. Her daughter came with her, a young lady about twenty years of age, and as they thought they would like a horse and carriage here to use they drove across the State, the journey lasting four days. Mrs. May was quite fatigued by the journey and after she arrived here, found that her father had been taken to Hastings by friends. She was naturally quite disappointed at not finding him and was intending to start to-day (Tuesday,) to see him.

During Monday forenoon, she occupied herself in arranging and looking over some things which she had stored away about a year ago, in a vacant room in Mr. May's house on Academy street. About noon she returned to the house of Mr. Frank Little, on South street, and while waiting for dinner engaged in conversation with Mr. Little in the parlor. She complained of being very tired and Mr. Little to interest her, repeated a very laughable experience of his, over which Mrs. May laughed quite heartily and which she seemed to enjoy.

Mr. Little as sitting opposite to her and he suddenly noticed that she appeared to be catching for breath - as if she were affected with asthma - at about the same time he noticed that her eye sight seemed to grow dim - to go out as it were - while her head leaned to one side. He quickly ran to her, called for help and assisted her to a recumbent position, but she had ceased to breathe and had passed from life.

Dr. Partridge was immediately summoned but it was too late - no assistance could be rendered. It is supposed that the cause of Mrs. May's death was disease of the heart. For some time she had been under medical treatment for dropsy of the heart and it is undoubtedly that which ended her life.

Kalamazoo Gazette, May 9, 1876.

Franklin May returned to his hometown of Kalamazoo, where he would spend the remainder of his life, and within a year of the death of his first wife, he had married his second.

He died of heart disease on September 14, 1880, after a long and painful illness. His obituary made no mention of his scandalous past.

The Chesaning Argonaut

The Wicked Reverend of Chesaning

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