Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-02-07
Termomt Nboemtr.
BRarrLEBoRo, rRiDAY. FEB. ?, is4S.
BISHOP 6NDERDoNK,s TRIAL.

published by the order Of the Court and make
volume of $3.50 closely printed pages Notwitbstand-
ing the verdict of guilty concurred in by eleven
Bishops the accused still persists in his innocence,
and appeals from the verdict Of his peers to that Of
his countrymen at large. The characte and stand
ing Of the parties, and the nature Of the charges
make II matter of intense and general interest,
and we believe we cannot occupy our columns in a
more acceptable manner than by giving synopsis
Of the case. The scruples that we might have had
about spreading before readers matters Of del
icate, or rather indeiicate nature are obvated by
the fact that the nature of the charges already
fully. known, and the whole proceedings see the
light under the sanction of body of venerable
Christian Bishops.
The first specification of offence was of taking
improper and unchasie liberties with Frances l..
Butler, wife of the Rev. Clement M. Butler, in the
year 1887, while riding from Ilhicu, N. Y, to SYRIA
cuse.
The Cd charge is for ntemperance on the same
occasion.
Mrs Butler had been recently married, but had
from. childhood been acquainted with the Bishop,
and they were now riding together the back
seat,iwhile Mr. Butler and man that drove sat
upon the front seat, with their backs to the Bishop
and, Mrs Butler. Mrs Buffers story is as follaws
"When first noticed that his breath was
tainted by something he had been drinting,
was neither surprised nor panied by il, for
was aware that he habitualy used wine and ar
dentspirits, but was not aware 10 what extent.
After he had finished reading his letters, found
with some alarm, that he became unusually
laxative, and that he spoke so indstincty that
could not always understand him. He first
put his arm around my waist and drew me
towards him this he repeated once, perhaps
twice.. He had often done this when was un-
nidttied, and had permitted it, although al
ways 'disagreeable to me because believed
him incapable Of wrong. At this time, howev-
er, removed his hand each time because |
saw that he was not himself Twas exceeding
ly fearful lest our driver should discover il as
he was a man who had but recently become in
terested in church affairs and for whose spr-
itual interests my husband was deeply solicitous;
and also because during our ride 10 Ithaca, he
had often, or he had strongly spoken of the in
consistencies ofproiessng Christians, as having
been great stumbling block in his way 10
heaven. The Bishop persisted in putting his
arm about me, and raised his hand so as to
press my bosom. ! then rose and withdrew
The arm from behind me, and laid the hand up
on bis knee, and said to him in raised tone of
voice., hoping to bring him to himself, and
wishing to attract Mr. Buffers attention, that a
Bishops hands were sacred in my eyes, and
that his were particularly so. because they had
been laid upon the heads Of many | loved in
confirmation, and were about to be laid upon
my husbands head in ordination. He made
hut little answer, but for some little time let
me alone. During this time thought Of the
awful disgrace that would come upon him, and
his family, and upon the Church, f his state
and conduct that night were known. | had a
lingering hope that he had been betrayed into
taking more than was habitual TO him, and that
in Ibis way he had been betrayed into ntoxi-
cation and hoped tina; his insult to me was
unintentiona. | therefore decided upon keep
ing silence upon this subject, and upon pre-
venting, 50 far as in me lay, its ever becoming
known. While sitting in thought, | found he
was again moving waited 10 see whether he
might not be merely steadying himself in his
seat, as the roads were rough, when he sud-
denly and violently again brought his hand up
IN my bosom, pressed and casped it. In some
horrsr | struck the hand with all my force, and
he withdrew il; but Immediately grasped my
leg in The most indicate manner. | sprang
forward tn my husband, and told him ! could
no longer sit with the Bishop: must sill with
him. ! was greatly distressed, and he, Mr.. |
Butler, held me ON his knee for some time and
after that, rode sometimes on his knee, and
sometimes on carpet bag at his feet. We
stopped twice during the night resting at
Homer an hour or two, as nearly as | can
feeollect. During all our time OF stay at those
places, my whole efforts were needed by my
husband to sooihe him, he being violently in
censed, and declaring that Bishop Onderdonk
should not ordain him. We stopped that
morning about day-break. at place about ten
miles distant, should think from Syracuse
perhaps fifteen miles. Here we again rested,
and breakfasted. During the ride from Ho- |
mer to this latter place, the Bishop slept heav- |
ly When we left the last stopping place, |
persuaded Mr. Butler 10 sit back with the Bish-
op, in order to avoid the remark that would be |
occasioned by his sitting alone. No conversa-
tion passed between the Bishop and myself
after changed my seat nor have since seen
him, except in Convention, until now.
BIZ Builer's statement fully confirms that of his
wife.
The Sd charge is for undue familiarity with an
unknown lady in stage coach about the same time,
but was not fully proved.
The 4th was for similar familiarity with young
lady in Westminster, in 1889, but the lady could
not be persuaded to give in her testimony, and as
the court had compulsory power to procure the
attendance of witnesses, it was not tried.
The 5lh charge was for thrusting his hand be-
meath the dress and upon the bosom Of Miss Helen
NJ Rudderow in 1910, while riding Sunday
from Church to the residence of her brother in the
city of New York, in an improper and unchaste
manner Rev. James C. Richmond was driving
the carriage with his back TO the parties. The les.
timony isas follows:
We had not proceeded very far from the
Church, when Bishop Onderdonk put his arm
around my neck and thrust his hand into my
bosom this he continued TO do ! was very
much surprised and agitated, and would have
Jumped from the carriage, had il not been for
III ~ NJ. Q,ohr Hal