Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-09-19
A Mean Clerical Villain.


Now, listen, while as briefly as posi-.
BILE n tale unfold, which for mean, des.
picable villainy has seldom been over
matched in this State. The name of this
clerical recusant from grace, virtue and
decency-if indeed he ever possessed
these qualities-is Rev. VIM. S. Howe,
of,Stetson, in,this county-(not relative
Of his namesake, the Rev. Serene Howe,
of Massachusetts,, whose disgusting vices
have been paraded in the American pa
pers), and for the past FIVE years, except
a year or two in which he is said to have
done good service in the army, pastor Of
the Calvinist Baptist Church in that town.
Soon after his return from the army and
the resumption of his pastoral duties, a
religious awakening occurred, during
which many new converts were added to
the church, among them Miss M. E.
T, young lady Of twenty-five sum
mers, the only unmarried daughter OF a
poor but estimable widow, who was also
a member of the reverend's church She
was very comely in person, attractive in
manners, and with mind well cultiva-
ted and pure ls the driven snew. Al
though lowly in station, and compelled
TO work as domestic, she was dearly
loved and respected by all who knew her,
and also moved in good society.
Well, as | have said, the young wo-
man was converted under. the Rev. DR..
Howe's preaching, baptised by him,
taken into the church by him, and soon
after taken into his family AS a.domestic
and companion of the family. At this
period it was that the wiles of the temp
ter were brought to bear upon the inno-
cent and unsuspecting girl. Taking
advantage of his double character OF
employer and spiritual guide, protesting
great interest in her temporal and
spiritual welfare-the first, because she
was a poor, fatherless girl the second,
because she was the last lamb gathered
to his fold-he gradually crept into her
confidence and affection, and, after
weeks and months spent in the slow
uncoiling of his serpent folds, finally
accomplished her seduction. Keeping
up his clerical duties, he continued there
after to preach and pray and indulge
his unholy passions-often reproving his
polluted victim, who, from a sense Of
shame, refused to take part in the weekly
social meetings-until about the middle
of January last, when the prints of their
criminal intimacy began to appear, and
concealment was the necessity of the
hour. And here crops out the remark
able meanness of the man, showing him
to possess a sordid soul as well as one
stepped in libertinism.
Possessed of real and personal estate
worth at least $4,000, and enjoying a
permanent pension from the United
States Government of 500 month, or
$240 per year, which is the interest OF
$4,000, and so really worth $4,000, this
mean, merciless fellow gave his poor,
heart broken victim the pitiful sum OF
five dollars in money, letter of fellow
ship to other churches certifying to the
fact that she was member OF his church
in good standing, and then sent her
adrift to conceal her great shame as best
she might. Five dollars on such an
errand and for such purpose Just to
think, thus armed, with the evidence OF
her guilt daily becoming more plain,
with five dollars in money, and with the
monster Endorsement of her Christian
character, recommending her to the care,
communion and sympathy of the Chris.
tian world, this ruined and orphaned
child was sent out from her home to make
the best fight she could and cover up the
evidence of their natural guilt as she
might under the circumstances, but with
the Injunction to add to the crime of
seduction that of abortion or child MUIR
der
Thus far the crime has been kept a
secret; at least, only suspicion was felt.
But, by accident, the note containing
FIVE dollars aforementioned, and the in.
structions to leave town until all evi'
denco of their intercourse should be
removed, written by the reverend villain
to the girl, was dropped on the floor of
the church at an evening meeting, the
matter at once investigated and all these
facts brought to light Through the in
Auence of various parties, and under the
mistaken idea that the cause of religion
would be benefited thereby. Howe
was permitted to resign his pastorate,
make over a portion of his property to
the poor, deceived ruined girl, and to
leave town quietly, never to return.
In short, the matter was hushed up, and
it was expected the whole affair would
be permitted to sleep on till the final
resurrection, known only to few but
this was not to be. Howe suddenly re
turned, expressed contrition for what be
had done, but refused to abide by his
agreement in making over certain prop
erty for the maintenance of his victim,
alleging that it was extorted from him,
and altogether putting on the air of n
person more sinned against than SHINING.
This has scandalized the good people
of Stetson very much, and | learn that
an Indictment for adultery has been made
out against Howe-that he will be prose-
cuted under it and probably receive his
Just deserts. 1t is certain that the town
of Stetson will be made too warm to hold
him; and it is no less certain that the
cause Of good morals is outraged so long
as be is permitted to frequent the scenes
of his villaiuous conduct
A Texan Romancs55;A Tale Of Robbery and
The San Antonio (Texas) Express
narrates the following tale of Leon
Springs:
Almost every valley in our beautiful
State has its tale. Of blood, murder, or
romance. First the conflict between the
early pioneers and the Indians, and az
terward the influx OF that desperate class
that seek out border countries and leave
behind them, as a legacy to the people
who come after them, tales Of murder
and violence.
A few years before the advent Of the
rebellion, q Mexican, with his wife, a
beautiful daughter, and two strong, bold
sons, moved into this little valley, in