, 1864-02-13
A Methodist NIinisterin q ssEix. -
A Very Sad Instance OF Falling from
GrMCes

ltTom tne springfield {Mae6) Repubiican.1
About nine months ago Rev. james 4.
alton who had preached seven years, and who
came to this State fiom Connecticut, was ap-
pointed to the charge OF the Methodist church
at JenEevllle Gudlow.) BE WIS what is
sometimes deuominated by the profane q
'stonguey prcaclcr;" his sermons and exhor-
tatioDs did not seem the result Of much
Thought or study, but were rather character
ICED by natural and sometimes excessive
volnbiIity. But he performed the usual min
tstfnt1ons regularly and to the general accept
ance, and nothing appeared for come time to
rouse suspicion among any of the parish
Three months ago his wife-described by all
who knew her 4s q lady of most e6timnble
character-went to make long visit among
some Of her friends, and soon after Rev. Mi.
kibbe took fancy to board in the family Of
James F. streetcr, the steward in his church,
whose residence is at "Stony Hip in VII.
braham, a mile or two from Jenksville He
made himself agreeable to all the fn1nily, but
especially to Mr. Streetcr's daughter, prot
ty girl Of 18. DY insiduously improving a1l
TIE opportunities which bis membership Of
the household md his holy calling gave him
in such number, he quickly gained Lcr af1cc-
tions, but SO crattily did he do it that her pa
rents had not shadow Of suspicion as to his
integrity. His trno character and Intentions
came nc out ,,a in striking manner, however, FIVE
One pleasant evening the minister said that
lie tlo1Rht he would 60 to Jcuksvfl1e stop
during the night. It was accordingly ar
hinged in his presence TINT the daughter with
her brother youpgBter three or four years
old, 6hould sleep in the room he usually oc-
eupisd-a bedroom upon the ground floor.
Alr. streetcr left about that time to watch
With sick neighbor, and soon after Rev. Mr..
Kibbe also tooE his departure and the house
was locked up for. the night. About 13
o'clock Mr.. Streeter returned and, as tho
moon was shining brightly, noticed upon
window Of the room which be knew his
daughter was to occupy. He had the curl
osity to examine and found that while it was
unmistaknble that some person had gone to
the window. there WINS no evidence that any
body Aad gone away from it. His suspicious
softly and went to open his daughters bed
room door hut found It locked. He was
determined to solve the mystery, aud 80 OBJ
mined lantern and returned to the bedroom
window, opened the blind and peered in.
The sight that met Ills nstonished eyes almost
confonnded him. Therein his daughters
bed clambcr-stood his pastor, Rev. lfr.
kibbc, without an article Of clothing upon
him except his shirtl In the furry and ex-
cltcment' Of the next few moments, Kibbc
seized his clothes, and en- desha5ilIe Us he was,
leaped from the window, aud, escaping
Streeter, struck for the woods. Tie LITTER
did not follow him. but effected an entrance
into the bed room, where he found revolver
and d dirk which the "Rev." gentleman in
Ills haste had forgotten to take with him.
kibbe has since endeayored to put an hon
est aspect upon this suspicious condition OF
things, but has succeeded poorly. He stoutly
denies that any criminal intercourse took
place between aim and the girl, aud says that
after he left the house TO go to Jenksvlllc he
clanged his mind, md, forgetting that his
room vas to be occupied by the young lady,
decided to 60 back and spend the night there;
but the front door Of the house WIS locked,
aud go he got into his room at thewindow and
Lad just undresscd when Streeter looked in
upon him. He had put his hand upon the
pillow, haFing heard some one breathe, but
tilt be only was there. With @ reeard al: t. TIE the
revolver and dirk, he fays that he belongs to
the Union League, every member of which
is Obliged to carry such weapons His story
Is tnlsc upon the face Of it. He went away
from the house about 10 o'clock, while
Streetcr did not return home till Ia The
little boy, whose face he says he touched,
always slept in the :" back side" Of the bed,
and there are other facts that need not be
mentioned, which show conclusiyely that his
defense is the merest fabrication. At his
earnest solicitation the affair was kept
~'hushed up for several weeks. Lately how
ever, 1t has been discovered that he has kept |
up secret correspondence with the eIrl and
the facts have begun to leak out Sunday |
before last Rev. HI. kibbe exchanged with |
Rev. A. Mckcwn Of this city, and preached ]
all day at the Pynchon street church. There |
Is pretty good evidence that he had planned I
elope with him on the Sunday night t1ain.
The arrangement was discovered and nipped |
In the bud. But Rev. Nr. Kibbe has preached
his last sermon at Jenksriile, or nnyWhere |
else IN this vicinity.