Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-12-22
A Church Scandal.
A sUPRRisrEsDEET oowHDRD ny YOUNG LADY
DURING PRAYER.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.

DURING PRAYER.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
During the service In the Park street Metho-
diet Episeopa, Church, located on the corner Of
Park and Longwotth Streets On Sunday morning
last, an occurrence took place sufficiently start
ling in its character to produce the most intense
excitement. In order that tho reader may fully
understand the cause of the extraordinary pro-
ceeiine, We have determined to give briefly
narration Of the conduct of Mark Il. Barnitz to
Miss Penelope 4. Jacob for two years back,
which resulted in his being cowhided and pep
pered by Miss Jacob in the church on Sunday
morning.
The fret iosult which was offered her by
Barniz was IN the latter house. on the 18th Of
March, 1867, when ne offered to kiss her, aud
made overtures to meet her at Mrs. Rice's, on
Filth street, aod he would present her with one
hundred dollars, and other presents. Miss Jacob
was then sewing for MIR. BarnitE. She forbade
him 10 talk to her in that manner, and said TO
Inn, If you do SO any more will expose you
lie promised TO do so more. Soon after she
ct the employ OF Mrs. b Barn. followed her
To Dnd from class and Sunday school. and again
made insulting overtures to her. Miss Jacob
iOund him 10 be so very offensive That she ap-
Piled to MIR. Webb, their class leader. and re-
luested permission to 60 into another class, and
hday told Webb she would not meet in class
such IA man, From delicacy, she shrunk from
telling Webb the reason she wanted to leave the
class, but went aud told his wife, an aged moth
or III the church. Instead Of preferring charges
against BarniiE, upon the information given by
Miss jacob the deyout class leader, Mr.. Webb,
drew up charges ard specifications against Miss
Jacob.
During the summer of 1862, Miss Jacob was
one Of the teachers in Mears Chapel Sunday
School, located ON Plum, between Front aud
Columbia streets. Mr., BarniE was the super
utendent of this school. After an insult gwen
30 Mrs Jacob by Barniiz in the office OF the lat
ter. whittier she had gone to co lect small
alunce due her for sewing, aud the institution
Of the charges, BaruitE, at one session OF the
school, during the absence of Miss Jacob re-
/ qutstCd the teachers 10 remain after the school
WAS dismissed, Ds be had matter to bring be
/ fore them of importance Al this meeting, the
secretary was instructed to communicate with
Miss Jacob, in effect that at a meeting of teach
rs tive only out OF thirteen being presently
MIR. Superintendent Baruitz Informed the meet
lug that Miss Jacob had attempted to ruin his
character by circulating faleehoods. No defence
being introduced by the accused who was in the
country, the meeting Of five teachers decided
that she was guilty, anu ordered that she be
PEELED from the society ns teacher. Miss
Jacob knew nothing OF these proceedings until
her return from the country
Soon after the action of the Quarterly Con-
ltTSuut MISS JHCuD thlltu Un tut AeN MI Mar
lay for letter, and received one neatly written,
setting forth that "Sistei Jacob was IA full mem
her in good standing" SC Miss Jacob has not
attended any church since October G., 1862
When MIR Maray returned to her charges and
specifications, il was immediately determined by
Miss Jacobs attorney 10 enter suit against MIR.
Barniiz in the civil courts, which was done in
April. The damages are laid ut $4,000
The satisfaction and Justice which Miss Jacob
~, in - 10 Iaf.
slow, she at once decided to take the law in her
hands, and in as public manner as Mr.. Barnitz
had traducel her name, she proposed to sum
MARTY deal with him. Accordingly, on Thurs
day Miss JaeOb went to sadllery establish
ment, on Main street, and purchased a cowhide
the proprietor suggesting to her mot TO whip
children with that cowhide." She replied, "Nu
sir; il is to be used on bigger ones" On her
way home she purchased Il pound Of cayenne
pepper. Without imparting to any one her pur
pose, she got up on Sunday morning as usual,
took her breakfast, and then dressed for church
She arrived at the chapel before the services
were commenced, and took a seat Immediately
opposite to the one occupied by Mr.. and Mrs
BarnitE. Mr.. b., who is a leader of the singing
in the church, observed Miss Jacob take "A seat
opposite to him and eye him closely. His eyes
dropped, and he Immediately appeared agitaled
lie did not sing, the task beng assigned to
brother Hidden. When the second hymn was
being sung all the congregation were on their
feet except Mr.. Barniiz and Miss Jacob. They
two only remained seated. The first one to kneel
was Barnit2, covering his face with both hands
As soon Hs the Rev MIR. Hitchcock had com.
menced his prayer, Miss Jacob deliberately
pulled the gloves from her hands, aud then un
tying the whip, which WIS under her cloak,
drew it out, aud walked over to where Barnitz
was kneeling, dealt five or six heavy blows
across his head, face and hands, eAch stroke
sounding in every part Of the house. The
liter ceased prayer, the congregation rose to
their feet, and BaruitE. slil on his knee, raised
up, and, seizing the cowhide wrenched it from
her hand, and attempted to strike her, but was
prevented by Mr.. Cunning who grappled his
arms. Miss Jacob then seized him by the hair
of the head with her left hand, and with her right
washed his face all over with Cayenne pepper, ex.
claiming "Maok Barnitz you are black hearted
cowardy william, and this is for your lying. D
Then turning to Mrs. Barniz, she said: "You
wanted to know who my mother was, She was
I n decent woman, and lm not a bastard, and thai
Z is more than you can say"
At this instant zone person put his hand over
q her mouth, when she took another handful Of
n pepper, and, throwing it over her shoulder al
him, the crowd, which were wont to press upor
e her, soon beat hasy retreat. Mr.. Rennick
caught her round the waist and pulled her to
4 wards the door Hiss Jacob, seeing Mr.. Rem.
o nick, recognized him as one of her prosecutors
= and, turning upoa her, also washed his face will
y the pepper. The Rev. Mr. Maray was seateC
Il in the pulpit during all this cOntretempts Be-
n fore quiet was restored and the services could
II 60 on, more than half the congregation had lief
n the church