A History of Kentucky Baptists From 1769 to 1885, Including More Than 
800 Biographical Sketches, J. H. Spencer, Manuscript Revised and 
Corrected by Mrs. Burilla B. Spencer, In Two Volumes.  Printed For the 
Author.  1886.  Republished By Church History Research & Archives 1976 
Lafayette, Tennessee. Vol. 2, pp 190-191.  [Jefferson County]

WM. W. EVERTS was called to succeed the greatly lamented Thomas Smith, 
in the pastoral charge of Walnut Street church in Louisville, about 
1853, and ministered in that capacity some seven years.  A man of 
excellent gifts and fine scholarly attainments, he was very cordially 
received by the Baptists of Louisville, and, indeed, of the whole State.  
He was a man of great energy and enterprise.  As soon as he was settled 
in the pastoral office, he began to lay plans for church extension, in 
the city.  His plans appear to have been wise, and it is believed he 
would have accomplished much in strengthening the Baptist cause in 
Louisville, if he could have retained the sympthy and co-operation of 
his brethren.  But he came to Louisville just at a time when the 
excitement on the Slavery question was at fever heat.  He was opposed to 
slavery, and perhaps was imprudent in manifesting his opposition.  
Prejudice was soon excited against him, and strong opposition was 
created.  The Baptists of the city were divided into excited parties.  
Dr. Everts was the recognized leader of the party which sustained him, 
while S. H. Ford (now Dr. Ford of Missouri) was recognized as the leader 
of the opposition.  The excitement soon extended far beyond the limits 
of the city, and party spirit grew extremely bitter.  Members excluded 
from one church were immediately received into the fellowship of 
another.  Councils were called and bitter prosecutions were instituted.  
In the city the "Everts party" appeared to be in the majority; but in 
the country, the "Ford party" had the pre-eminence.  The contention was 
kept up, with increasing bitterness, for several years.  As to what the 
quarrel was about, or who was to blame in the disgraceful affair, are 
questions of speculation that will probably remain unsolved.  Nor does 
it appear at all desirable that they should again be agitated.  A 
thousand trifles, light as air, were magnified under the pressure of 
strangely excited passion, and much harm was done the cause of Christ.  
In the midst of the trouble, Dr. Everts was called to the 1st church of 
Chicago, and accepted the call, about 1859.  In that city, he 
accomplished a most excelent [sic] work.  He is still living, and 
although somewhat beyond the meridian of life, he is yet able to perform 
much labor.

Everts Smith Ford
=
MO Chicago-Cook-IL

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/jefferson/everts.ww.txt