Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-05-18
The Ministerial Wife Prisoner.

The trial of Rev. j. S. Harden, a
minister of the Methodist Episcopal
church, accused of poisoning his wife
about year ago has just been closed at
Belvidere, N. j. No positive proof of
his guilt has been adduced, but there is a
strong chain of circumstantial evidence,
leaving little doubt of the fact in the
public mind. 1t is very singular and
melancholy story. Harden is young
clergyman Of considerable talent and
power, rather deficient in education, and
of strong and undisciplined passions. He
became acquainted with Miss Dorland, a
young lady in his parish about two years
ago, and familiarity soon developed what
seemed to be genuine affection between
the parties. Under the promise of future
marriage, Harden obtained such conces-
sions as should have followed the sacra-
ment of matrimony. This state of things
continued for some time, until there be-
gan to be much public scandal about the
connection Of the parties. Miss Dorland
then very properly insisted upon imme-
date marriage. After a long cores
pondence on the subject, in which Har-
den declared that he had no means to
support a family, that Miss Dorland was
too ignorant for a minister's wife, and
that such a marriage would ruin him
matters be ought to have thought of be-
fore running Miss Dorland-the parties
entered into a singular compromise, pro.
posed by him. The girl and her parent:
signed paper releasing him from all
obligations to marry her, and he the
same day signed an instrument binding
him to marry her in the course of the
year. He pretended that this proceed.
ing was necessary to the vindication o
his reputation. And it appears that ht
, exhibited The document of release very
freely, and under coYer.of it was begin
ming several other courtships. Thi
alarmed Miss Dorland and her friends
and they compelled him to fulfil hi
promise and marry her, which he dir
with evident reluctance. He never re
moved her from her fathers house, bu
visited her there occasionally, as be
husband $685.
A few months after the marriage, Mrs
: Harden died, after brief illness. TIL,
disease was called the quick consumption
but there were symptoms of poisoning
and after the funeral, which was hasten
: ed through Harden's. efforts, the bod
r was taken up and evidences of arseni
found in it. Suspicion fastened strongl,
upon Harden, and he made his escape
going first to Canada and afterwards (
Virginia, where he passed under an as
sumed name, but was tracked by the Of
ficers and arrested. 1t is proved tina
: Harden had bought arsenic previous /
s his wife's sickness, and that he had sal
: in conversation after her death that b
A believed she had poisoned herself. Thi
theory is assumed by bis counsel, and
is possible that he will escape convictio
i on this ground. The evidence show
e him thorough faced villain whether az
tually guilty of murder or not, and cans
BILE Of any falsehood or duplicity to prc
cure sensual qualification and evade th
penalty of indulgence. Such a libertin
v in the ministry has opportunities Il
g mischief, on account of the confidenc
!, placed in bis professions and the intims
cy allowed in his official intercourse, th.
2 bad man has no other position; IN
y this sad case should be an admonitio
5. against excessive confidence in huma
Is nature under the most sacred cloth.
The jury in the case were out tv
, hours, and brought in verdict Of gull
q and the court sentenced him to be bur
on the 2sth Of june next. ~