The Fannie Bolton Story

Merritt Kellogg Statement, [March, 1908]

In 1894, when in Melbourne, Australia, Mrs. White told me that in writing Great Controversy, and preparing it for the press, Marion Davis and Fannie Bolton had charge of it. She further told me that these girls were responsible for certain things which went into that book in the shape in which they did. She said that Marion Davis confessed her part in the wrong, but Fannie Bolton would make no confession. Mrs. White did not tell me just what wrong was committed by the girls. I suppose the reason why she spoke to me on the subject was because of the fact that Fannie Bolton had come to me with a statement as follows: Said Fannie, “Dr. Kellogg, I am in great distress of mind. I come to you for advice for I do not know what do do. I have told Elder Starr (Geo. B.) what I am going to tell you, but he gives me no satisfactory advice. You know,” said Fannie, “that I am writing all the time for Sister White. Most of what I write is published in the Review and Herald as having come from the pen of Sister White, and is sent out as having been written by Sister White under inspiration of God. I want to tell you that I am greatly distressed over this matter for I feel that I am acting a deceptive part. The people are being deceived about the inspiration of what I write. I feel that it is a great wrong that anything which I write should go out as under Sister White’s name as an article specially [sic] inspired of God. What I write should go out over my own signature. Then credit would be given where credit belongs.” I gave Miss Bolton the best advice I could, and then soon after asked Sister White to explain the situation to me. I told her just what Fannie had told me. Mrs. White asked me if Fannie had told me what I had repeated to her, and [upon] my affirming that she did she said, “Elder Starr says she came to him with the same thing. Now,” said Sister White, with some warmth, “Fannie Bolton shall never write another line for me. She can hurt me as no other person can.” A few days later Miss Bolton was sent back to America. From that day to this my eyes have been opened. FBS 106.6