Greene County NcArchives News.....Kissing Parson 1891
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Mike Edge http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00029.html#0007041 March 28, 2014, 6:55 pm

The Goldsboro Headlight (Goldsboro, N.C.), 1891-12-16

A Deplorable Affair.

Full details of a deplorable affair which occurred in Greene county, three miles 
north of Snow Hill, last Wednesday, in which it is stated that Rev. J. T. Abernethy, 
the Methodist pastor of the Snow Hill circuit, overstepped the bounds of propriety 
by kissing Mrs. Will E. Grimsley while paying her a pastoral call, is furnished to 
us by our Snow Hill correspondent, but owing to the prominence of the parties involved 
in that unfortunate affair, we refrain from giving full publicity until the proper 
investigation is made, which is to be held by five Elders of the Methodist Church
at Snow Hill tomorrow. As we learn, Mr. Abernethy has handed in his resignation, 
and the jealous husband, Mr. Grimsley who came out from his hiding place and shot the 
preacher full in the face, entirely disfiguring its left side, was duly arrested and 
bound over to court in the sum of $500.
Later:--- Just as we go to press, we learn that the shooting between Mr. Grimsley and 
Mr. Abernethy was renewed at their meeting on the streets of Snow Hill Monday evening 
at 4 o'clock. Mr. Grimsley, without warning, fired a pistol hall into the left cheek of 
the preacher, it coming out from the back of his neck. Mr. Abernethy, in return shot 
Mr. Grimsley in his left leg, inflicting a painful wound. Since the last shooting, 
public sympathy is with the preacher.

The Goldsboro Headlight (Goldsboro, N.C.), 1891-12-23
The church investigation into the deplorable Greene county affair could not take place 
last Thursday, as stated in these columns, caused by the inability of Rev. J. T. Abernethy 
to meet the committee on account of the severe flesh wound he received in the second 
encounter with Mr. Grimsley. However, the investigation will be held in Snow Hill today, 
composed of the following committee of Elders: Revs. R.A. Willis, of New Bern; B.R. Hall, 
of this city; F.M. Shamberger, of Kinston; W.W. Rose, of Fremont; and Geo. F. Smith, of 
Greenville. Mr. Grimsley, as we learn from reliable authority, has not left the county as 
reported. He is hiding somewhere in the neighborhood and it is expected that he will 
surrender to the Sheriff today.

The Goldsboro Headlight (Goldsboro, N.C.), 1892-01-06
The committee of five Elders who investigated the Abernethy-Grimsley scandal at Snow Hill
recently, decided to suspend the preacher until the next meeting of the Methodist 
Conference. Mrs. Grimsley has gone to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Murrill 
in Onslow county, while Mr, Abernethy has left for Rutherford College, where his father 
"My God, Abernethy," resides. We learn that some of his Snow Hill circuit members will 
continue to pay him a salary during the year. 

The Goldsboro Headlight (Goldsboro, N.C.), 1892-01-27
The trial of Mr. Will E. Grimsley for shooting Rev. J. T. Abernethy, "the kissing parson," 
came up in Greene Superior Court Wednesday. The defendant pleading guilty, whereupon the 
Solicitor with the concurrence of Rev. Mr. Abernethy's attorney moved the Court that 
judgment be suspended upon payment of costs, which was so ordered by Judge R. W. Winston 
presiding. This is regarded as showing the sentiment to be that Grimsley was justifiable 
in shooting the "fatherly kisser." 

The Goldsboro Headlight (Goldsboro, N.C.), 1892-02-11
The startling news reached this city Tuesday from Snow Hill, that Mr. Will E. Grimsley, 
that morning, shot and instantly killed Rev. J. T. Abernethy, the "kissing parson," but 
since then we learn the report to be entirely unfounded, Mr. Abernethy being out birdhunting 
through out that day.


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