Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-09-07

500
FROM the Trenton Gazette, Aug. II.
A Young Girl Seduced by q Clergyman
In Burlington. N. J.
Excitement Of tie Gitizens-7Ne FaA.
ercf the Girl seeking Summary Yen.
geance - Escape Of the Minister
oeer the Back Fence-Ms whereo.
bouts not knoscn.
The citizens Of Burlington were
thrown into a state of intense excite.
ment on Friday last by the circulation
Ola rumor that Rev. VIM. b. Suther.
land, ofthat city, had been guilty OF
the crime of seducing the daughter of
member Of his church, who was Just
turned fifteen years ofage. An invest
tigation of the rumor led to the pain
full conclusion that it was, in all its en-
ormity. too true to be disbclieved. 1t
appears that on Wednesday afternoon
last Sutherland went to the house of
the girls father for his intended victim
to come to him and assist some other
girls in arranging some books in his
library, it having been previously I'M
dcrstood that several were to meet for
that purpose. The girl not respond
ing to the invitation, Sutherland sent
again, and this second invitation she
unfortunately obcyed. On reaching
Sutherland's house, he invited her into
the library, when she was surprised
to find herself the only female present.
lie Immediately commenced his adj
vances and familiarities with her, drew
her into chamber, and there succeed
ed in overcoming her. 1t is very re-
markable that as the youngvictimoft this
mans seduction was leaving the house
she encountered Suthcrland's wife, who
was just at that moment returning
home after an absence of some days.
The wife noticed the flushed and OK.
cited appearance of the girls counter
ance and asked the cause, why she had
been crying, DC, to which cvasivc an
swcrs were returned, and the outraged
child fastened home to the house Of
her parents. On Thursday she related
to her mother the particulars Of the
shame that had been practiscd on her,
and the mother Immediately waited
upon one Of the dcacons Of Suther-
lands church and related the circum-
stances. lie Immediately called in
brother deacon, and the two went d.
rcctly to the house of Sutherland,
where they informed him Of the charge
made against him. Sutherland admit
ted thst he had taken many liberties
with the child, but denied the charge
of seduction. His whole conduct and
manner, were such as to convince the
two that he was guilty, and they in
formed him at once that all further in
tercourse with him, as pastor Of their
church, was at an end.
In the meantime, the father of the
girl was made acquainted with the at
rocious crime, which had beeen pcrpc'
tratcd on the virtue of his child. lIls
evaporation became uncomfortable, and
arming him self for the purpose OF TAX
lug summary vengeance on the dcs'
troycr, he started in pursuit Of him.
But an intimation to Sutherland that
his life was in danger, enabled him to
escape over the back fence of his gar
den, only few minutes in advance Of
his Justly Indignant pursucr.
This clerical hypocrite is about thir'
ty years Of age, and has been in charge
of church at Burlington since last
year. He went there from Lodi, near
Jersey City, but where he is now gone
no one can tell. The victim Of his
arts is barely fifteen years of age, and
has borne an unblcmished character.
Her family also are Of unimpcachabIc
standing, and enjoy the respect and es'
TEEN of all who know them.
This scandalous act of Sutherland is
not the first which has been laid at
his door during his ministry in Bur
lington. On the 2lst of July, but little
over a month ago, a hired girl in his
family, named Teresa Gilbert, about %
years Of age, made oath before Alder
man Brown, Of that city, that she
went to reside in his family either in
April or May last; that the very first
day she was there, all the family but
Sutherland being in the country on q
visit, he invited her into the parlor,
there to sit down on the sofa beside
him and read a chapter from the Bible
to him; that he took away from her
and commenced handling her person,
when she got up and went out IN the
yard, saying she was going away, and
that to induce her to stay he promised
her gold rings and a new silk dress, all
Of which she refused to receive; that q
few weeks after this Sutherland came
into the room where she was combng