Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-09-19
4 Clergyman osi 7riaI fer Rape
--.f Gcenf In Court,

Henry Wendt pleaded guilty to
10 bills charging the heinous offence
rape. He was formerly clergy.
Ebn in the Lutheran Church, and SO
uch confidence was reposed in him
Nat he was made the Superintendent
/ the Orphans Asylum, near Ger
nantown, under the auspices of that
Hburch. He fled the city after he
has charged with the shocking crime,
nt detective was sent for him, aud
b was apprehended in Rochester and
Fought back to this city.
Gustave Remak, Esq, appeared as
punsel for the Orphans Home
"a The following witnesses were ex-
mined:
"A General L, L. Houpt testified that
BE Orphans Home was at German
town; the prisoner was the superin-
&endent and house father in general
tharge of the institution; it was con-
rolled and managed by the prisoner,
fnd contained one hundred and sixty
tbildren, one half OF whom were girls /;
<he girls and the inmates of the house
Fere all under the care of the prison
Dr.; he was placed in charge Novem-
Der l, 1864, and the managers had
radually left everything to his care
nd Judgment; during the hitter end
q July one of the children made
pmplaint, and two or three days
fterward the trustees were called
Ibgether relative to the financial af
I irs Of the institution; the subject of
bcss crimes was brought before that
Meeting, and on the 9Th an exauiiil,t-
ion was made; two days afterward
&he prisoner was arrested at Roches-
Ter, New York, and committed TO
brison here on the 18th seven chill
6ren were examined; the prisoner
admitted to debauching two, and his
tonduct tended to debauching many
hore be had been engaged in this
eareer for year and a half.
4 Mr. Remak-He is clergy man, is
be not
Gen. Houpt--I am sorry to say he
rs a regular clergyman Of the Luther
'kn Church.
Judge Ludlow-Is he man of any
|attainmentsi
Gen. Houpt-He is an excellent
|liIguist, and the master of six or sev-
len languages.
Judge Ludlow-Has be a family?
Gen. Houpt-He has wife, and
Blk children.
Mr.. Mann called ono of the victims,
b girl IA years Of age.
Mr.. Remak thought if the Court
could listen to the statements of the
children in private it would be better
for public morals.
Judge Ludlow thought that could
not be dore legally, and the children
(two in number) gave in their evi-
dence, conclusive and shocking in its
character. 1t was done in as quiet
manner as possible, so that none but
those directly interested in it could
hear
Frederick Stake testified that he
was President of the institution, which
was incorporated, and connected with
all the lutheran Churches of the city;
a large number of State orphans, the
children of deceased soldiers, were in
the institution; he examined seven or
eight children which had been de
bauched, and had the names of six or
seven more; the examination made
and statements Of the prisoner showed
that there were about 20 children in
all tampered with by the prisoner.
Judge Ludlow asked the prisoner
what he had TO say?
He said, 81 have sinned grievously
before God, and l have confessed my
transgressions, and / have only to
pray for His pardon, for ChrisCs sake.
I can say nothing in regard to the
evidence, as / did not hear it. "
Judge Ludlow requested Mr. Remak
TO repeat to the prisoner the evidence
of the witnesses, which was done, and
be was told of the twenty cases.
The prisoner now said, 81 have
nothing to say but TO commend my
self to the mercy of God and TO the
mercy of the Court"
District Attorney Mann said it had
been the practice of this court TO
move for Judgment in capital cases.
The case that has just now engaged
tho attention of the court is of as
much Importance as if it were aeapi-
tai case. This man was the head of
an institution, and had not only the
care of the children, but was master
of the house-the "house iather lin
tho language OF the chief director.
He was 'he father of that family, and
was specially charged with the care
Of these orphans, TO protect them from
all persons. He occupied position
in life that caused confidence to be
reposed in him
Regard and respect were paid him,
and all that WAS connected with our
holy religion was associated with him.
He has betrayed all-the sacred trust
committed 10 his care-and has en-
gagged in series of crimes calculated
10 make miserable all around him. /
don't know Of any case so atrocious
as this. The defendant himself is so
satisfied that his conduct is without
excuse, he pleads guilty, and trusts
himself, as he says, TO the mercy OF
God and this Court. l feel it my
duty to formally move for Judgment.
Judge Ludlow addressed the pris-
oner in the following language:
Henry Wendt-You have put in a
plea of guilty upon two separate in
diotments, each charging you with
rape-assault and battery with in
tent 10 commit rape. and assault and