The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-01-13
a Clergyman -Under HTrsss.

+
A clergyman was recently (and we suppose
still is) imprisoned in the jail at Ovid, Seneca
county, n. Y, under singular circumstances.
Some time last winter he was prosecuted by
the overseers ofthe Poor, OF the town of Lodi,
for the support oil child soon TO be born OF
Young girl who had lived in his family for
several months proceeding, who was the
daughter of The SEXTON in his church, and
whose oath ascribed tile paternaty OF her ex-
pected offspring TO the aforesaid clerical
gentleman. The case was tried in u court
of sessions. the Hon. Samuel Il. Foot, of Ge-
neva, appearing for the aceu. ell, and Evert
Van Burt n, ESQ, of this village, for the pro-
secution. The evidence was decidedly
against the &C used, and he was accordingly
held to bail for the support of the child. He
] did not, however, allow the case thus to rest
and insisted that il had been but imperfectly
tried, and taat better development of affairs
would be had ut the county court, to Which
the cause was carried Judge Foot declined
/ having any further connection with the case
and the accused next employed 3. Davis
Noxon, of Syracuse. His case was tried
before the County Court at Ovid, some time
in Angus. last. On this occasion the grl was
subjected to a most severe and artfui axami.
nation By NoXon, but sustained herself to the
entire satisfaction of the public. the proof
elected were entirely convincing of the cler-
gyman's guilt. r.frlef p
The judgement of the court was withheld
for several weeks, and strange to say, the
County Judge declared for the innocence o.
the accused; but his associates on the bencf
overruled this decision, and held the Reve
rend gentleman to bail for the support of the
child, wh CHI was now some months old, anC
healthy promising infant.
The clergyman, though reputed TO be maj
wealth,irseems has nc willingness to devote
his money to any such purpose. He re use
to give bonds as the law requires, of course
adopts the other alternative of taking up hi
! abode in the county prison. He prote SITS
J as he always has, his entire innocence, ant
writes to his church very evangelical epistl,
) concluding withia prayer. for the forgiveness
: the mother of the seduced girl, whom he re
: CARDS as the prime conspirator for the pro
curemeht Of his downfall.
p. s. Since writing the above, we hav,
earned that the girl has died from the effec
; of fever brought on by the excitement
anxiety and modification incident to he
situation. We copy the following obltuar,
notice from the Watkins Family Visitor:
Died-On Thursday. the 10th inst, at tn,
residence Of her father, in Lodi, Seneca coun
ty Margaret Lott; aged eighteen years. ( r
She bore her sickness with christian resigna
ton and met the king of terrors with Il nness
declaring to the last the truth of all her fprme
assertions in regard to the seduction. Thus
, this young lady bore an unspotted reputation
unit! she yielded TO the arts OF the seducer
She is no rnore-while on the other hand
the talented and gifted preacher is hurried
|. fr m his sacred desk to occupy the cell OF
prison Il Yates Co. (N. " Waig.