I came across an unusual story I think you’ll enjoy!

Musical accompaniment: It’s All Forgotten Now by Al Bowlly

 

How the Reverend W.C. Ferrell ever learned of Miss Mary Baker’s existence, I couldn’t tell you. The reverend was from Gaffney, S.C. and Miss Baker lived in Atlanta. In 1911, the 200-mile distance between the cities would make for quite a long trip,

While we don’t know how Rev. Ferrell knew of Miss Baker, we can surmise he probably regretted ever contacting her.

Miss Baker speculated that the Reverend probably read an ad she placed seeking a bookkeeper and decided to write to her.

In his letter, Ferrell described himself as “an English gentleman, romantically inclined.” He wanted to meet Miss Baker but he took care not to ask her to meet him anywhere that might compromise her reputation. Instead, he pleaded with her to meet him at the post office at a particular time and date. She should pin a bow of white ribbon to the left side of her dress so he would know her. “I want to commit matrimony,” the letter read.

Some women might have found this letter to be quaint and charming. Others might have laughed at it and thrown it away. Miss Baker called the police.

Detectives persuaded Miss Baker to meet her mystery admirer at the post office. The minister spotted Miss Baker as soon as she entered the post office. He approached her and introduced himself. He was, in turn, introduced to the police.

On November 5, the case was heard in police court. To Ferrell’s relief, the judge dismissed the case. He knew of no law that the clergyman had violated, he said.

Miami Herald

I have so many questions about this story. Why would anyone read an ad for a bookkeeper and respond with an amorous letter? I suppose it depends on what the ad said. “Beautiful, wealthy, single woman seeks bookkeeper” or something similar might work.

I wonder if the reverend was really an immigrant from England. I have my doubts. I used to live very close to Gaffney, South Carolina and strange things happen there. You wouldn’t think so if you just drove through the place but it’s true. Definitely it’s not a place where you could expect to meet an English gentleman, romantically inclined.

I also wonder why Miss Baker got the police involved and why Reverend Ferrell was arrested for trying to meet her. That seems pretty harsh. At least the judge let him go but that didn’t stop the newspapers from writing about the incident.

I wonder what became of the Reverend Ferrell. I wouldn’t blame him if he decided to become a monk after such an experience.