The New York herald., 1867-05-15
INTERESTING BREACl OF PROMISE CASE.
A Disappointed Widow Claims $50, 900
from Wealthy Shipbuildsr.
&c. DC. DO.
THE CASE OF THE BAPTIST CLERGYMAN.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE or TUE nEaAlu.

pastor OF the Baptist church in Abingdon promi-
nent in the OF education and temperance and
wi.hal member Of the Leaislature-has lowered
himself brutal passions and practices contaminate
the whole atmosphere around him. The unfortunate
is Rev. Serene Howe, and his career OF crime
was suddenly brought to q termination Saturday
evening" and indignant and excited the citizens
OF Abingdon that it almost by miracle that he
escaped from the town with his life. II that
Howe settled the Baptist church In Abingdon
six years SINCE and by apparent exemplary conduct he
won the confidence OF his parishioners ana tho
munity in general Being very forward in promoting
the cause Of education he made Chairman OF tho
School Committee OF the town. and
trusted with tho general educational supervision
Of the youth of the whole town. He
also prominent temperance advocate,
industrious advocate Of prohibition, and as such
gained to the confidence and esteem Of the proh
bitonists all around him. All sorts OF honors
forced upon him. aud he had the respect and good will
OF everybody who knew him. until his brutal practices
revealed on Saturday.
A few days previous il generally whispered about
she town that he manifested strange desire for the
slant companionshp OF the youth Of both sexes, and
upon evivng incidents OF the past many circumstances
were remembered which, that suspicion had been
aroused, pointed 70 him OF the vilest OF
men, The suspicious confirmed by q conver-
saton which overheard by parent OF her own and
some other children concerning their visits to the min
isters study and Of the things which they and did
all Of which Indecent and extremely disgusting
One Of these children, little girl taken task by
her mother and she made full confession OF Howes
proceedings with her and other children in the town.
aud the story WAS told TO the father He Immediately
consulted with other heads OF families in the town
and they had ersations with their own chill
dren. when established beyond doubt thst the
very worst Of their suspicious were confirmed BY disgust
ing facts Very many Of the children in town. appears
by these Investigations had been invited and seduced
by this clergyman to become accessories to the gra0ca
Of and hpth tha
OF tho village were am0ag his victims. His position
school committeeman gave him unusual facilities for
circulating among the young and some OF them he
seemed TO bold power strong and mysterious as
was evil and dabauchins. Many them used sleep
church, and it is stated that some OF his
engagements Of this kind made week or two in
him 10 Boston 10 gratify his passion. One act In
Grmation Of this statement is that when in the Iegs
iature he frequently had with him In his seat youths
All Of these facis having been talked over by some OF
wait upon Rev Mr. Howe on Saturday evening and sss
what he had to offer in explanation Of the strange
upon he conducting evening prayer meeting In
the ves,ry Of the church opc Of the gentlemen or
committee father OF one OF the children whom he had
instructed in debauchery told him what they had hoard
and asked II he had any thing to say.
He received the charges with the utmost composuro
and replied, with an air Of injured Innocence that he
had nothing whatever 70 say N reply TO such SANDERS
lerrupted while conducting a religious meeting.
The gentlemen then retired and Rev. Mr. Howe returned
subsequently, however before finishing up his meeting,
he was waited upon a second time by the same gentle
maze some expianson Of the aecasaions asains, him
prepare forthwith for hasty exit from The town. AT
about the same moment suggestion OF rail and tar
crowd; whcreupon the dignity and air Of
injured innocence which he had all along manifested
gave way TO establishment and fref Re quickly left the
church. and the devotional services inside brought
10 hasiy termination. While crowd was rapidly /
gathering he improved the opportunity Of darkness to
make good his escape. Some OF the most indignant,
however, still persistent in their determination TO
and Il he showed resistance to lynch him |
upon the nearest tree. This spirit Of mob |
finally became prevalent that Of the prominent
OF the town obliged to appeal in speech
the crowd to desst from any violent demonstration
rhs wise counsel prevailed, and Howe allowed to
spend the night unframed in adjacent town. he
heard until he reached this city to- day
reached state House before the arrival Of the
Of the Legislature and met them rs they came up
as.SSors and snosS who held tho printed particulars
sagrossed the attention OF every one, and groups
On ss p0ss and IN ,ss ns
Indignation aud sorrow The natural excitement OF tho
members was heightened By the appearance Of Howe
half hour before the time opening the session
Of the day showed himself In the House and attempted
Z, br.sen 4 out To Questions eagerly put 70 him by
friends, whether not bc wastgGily whether he had
any explanation or whether thing could be said TO
explanation 10 make His friends told him
that the Circumstances beng as .hoy were.
was TO leave the State House q once and repair
TO parts unknown, whittier all criminals fy after the
manty being intnaied that he would be treated
roughly and perhaps numerically II he did not mako
was after ALL best leave 20 he dictated rcsigna-
lion OF his seat which placed speaker desk
and left the House, II 10 trusted, forever
On account OF this frssh and almoss unprecedented
news concerning member Of the Massachusetts, Leyis
orasr n, aSuss icss time scr rs usual hour "''
soon after the House Wa called 70 order the following
letter, addressed 70 the Speaker, was read oy the
Bosros, May Is 1887
e. Hos j. srox. Speaker Of the House Of Represen'a
% .. H:a:s .%.9 q q p: sss,
WI yoa psa.e SSmmunoAs the above S e sse o sna
Ihs question, according to parliamentary rule, was,
of boston, moved that committee Of nine be appointed
TO whom tho communication OF NJ. Howe should bs re-
fered
reference committee, he thought the best course
fr the House take vas 20 accep, the resignation.
Mr.. Bud, Of waipols said thai IN his opinion the
charges had been made against The member aaa these
we're reported 10 have been acknowledge sed " there
Of the House would Be compromised By accepting
the rssgnaton
expressed himself Of accepting the resignation
MI Mason OF Newton, next got the noor and ma he
the House had better no, undertake an investigator Of
the charges ~ he bad no heart TO 90 into thsm- He
nopeu house wouiu pardon the cd
70 60 never 70 reurn, and be considered wiss 70
les him do IL
Nr AIdrich, H Worcester said the accused nsd been
asked whether he had explanation 70 make and he
rspaied thae be had and this beng the case he
shought u best for the d.snay Of the House. CON.
iteSs should b Appointed 10 inquire the matter
and report 70 the H0uss.
Mr. KinbsL Il Bossos, objected to The course pro-
poeoh 70 b BuysueA 20 the admission made by Mr.
foWS wss only quaii6ed and be thought when Mr.
Eows rsGessd, aD1 his resignation wss accepted he
wss goss fossvss; sea white an after Investigation
shouahs decision ef Ne nosss 81 the present time
prsnasurs and he sbcu1 vote against the motion for
NJ Nsslham. Of Blaslsssne. moved 70 lay the motion
on the table; bus thn w. losl
made sszinsl he msmbw soul1 nos b closed over -
a was amoes bey0ul belief and be considered that