The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-18
CLERICAL TRIAL.

The Rev. ). b. Clark Tried Before the AIle-
eheny Presbytery for Breach OF Promise
The Reverend Gentieman's statemenr-rhc
Tilted Lady's Testimony.
The Allegheny Presbytery of the United Pres
byterian Church, assembled in the Second
U. p. Church Allegheny, yesterday morning,
ceeding with the trial of Rev. j. B. Clark d. D.,
for the breach of marriage contract with Miss
Lille B. Hawkes., member of his congregation.
STATEMENT OF DIR. CLARK.
DR.. Clark, in voice betraying deep feeling,
read the following paper
In reference to the matter alleged against me
upon your table, l respectfully present the fol-
lowing statement
l. l admit that there existed between Miss
Lille Hawkes. and myself an understanding in
yolving purpose and promise of marriage.
2. That after much deliberation and mental
agony asked her to release me from all obga-
tion in the matter, feeling it my duty to decline
the consummation of the marriage.
3. / present in justification of my refusal to
proceed further in the matter q fear with regard
to her complete mental restoration which be-
came so fixed upon my mind that could not
remove it. l struggled against the power of
this impression until others, whose judgment 1
regarded as reliable, and more unbiased than
my own, unconscious of the relation existing
between Miss Hawkes. and myself gave express
sion to the same opinion in my hearing. be-
came thoroughly convinced that there was on
this account great risk in entering the mar
rage relation with her, and that in q matter so
solemn and important / would be doing q
wrong and committing grievance to proceed
further.
1t is with deepest regret, and without any
spirit of malice or resentment, feel constrained
to make this allusion to Miss Hawkes. in my
own vindication. am not conscious of ever
having said anything derogatory to her moral
or Christian character.
4. hereby acknowledge my imprudence and
want of judgment in entering into any under
standing with Miss Hawkes. in regard to mar
hnr nvN1xy y,tn sy,
alton of this conduct my impression at that time
that her mind had been perfectly restored.
The above statement is humbly submitted, in
confidence that the presbytery will exercise that
judgment tempered with mercy inculcated by
the spirit of the Divine Master.
Respectfully submitted.
The first item of testimony was that of
DR.. Curwin, of the Harrisburg Insane Hos
pital
: mn DIR CURwKN's AFFIDAVIT, Il. --- d.
1t is as follows:-'I certify that Miss Lille
Hawkes. was brought to this hospital laboring
under great exhaustion Of the system, produced
that her bodily health was greatly improved,
and her mind entirely restored when she left the
hospital"
TESTIMONY OF MISS LILLE HAWKES..
Miss Hawkes., having been called and sworn,
| was interrogated as follows E ga
| O. Will you please state when this festi-
val was held? A. On the 23d of November,
1869. .gHTEI3 HTEN HEH0E q
@. Please state If there was anything in DR..
Clark's manner that induced you to act in an
| off-hand manner? A. He paid me good deal
of attention, and was with me great deal that
| evening. aA--- &. Oh =
Q. Did the fact that you were solemnly en-.
gagged to DR.. Clark induce you to act freely with
Mr.. Collins-We object. Z GA aaIOg
DIR. McLean-The form of question is leading
O. Was there anything In the relations be-
tween you and DR.. Clark that led you to act al
ticipation that DIR. Clark would soon become
my husband. / was conscious of feeling un
Mr. sturgeon-o Did DR.. Clark ever renew
the festival? A. He did. It was on a Sabbath
night in December following. e.
Question by Mr.. Sturgeon-Did DR.. Clarl
ever speak to you In regard to your menta
| weakness? A. No, sir; not that l remember
1 He certainly never laid any stress on this fact
@. Did DR.. Clark ever ask you to release hiu
from his engagement after the festival? A. HI
did not.
| ~ 1-i CRoss-KxAHINED. lra Ea1
Question by DIR. McLean--You say that on th'
23d of November you were happy in the anticl
patton of having the engagement consummated
then how can you say that on the 18th OF De
cember the engagement was renewed? A. Th,
opposition of the people was discussed and th
matter was an open question. There was al
engagement, and the month of the marriage
had been set, but the opposition of the peop
had caused the Doctor to hold the matter unde
advisement 1t might be considered an opei
question, but on the 18th of December the con
tract was positively renewed tt
| @. What do you mean by ''an open ques
tion ?" A. The Doctor told me of the opposi
tion of the people, and asked a consideration O
that matter, but the engagement was not reall
broken. -. ..-.
DIR. Mclean asked the witness how it cam
that she was happy under promise of marriage
which was under reconsideration, and had to b
renewed some nine days afterwards. y.
Witness-I think can explain, DIR. Clarl
said the people were opposed to his marryin
me, partly on account of my health, and partl
because it was not deemed best for him to MARI
in the congregation. 81 l|t
@. Did DR.. Clark never give you hint tina
he was afraid about your mindl A. Not that
recollect; and certainly would have remem
bered II If he had spoken of 1t.
Question by DR.. McLean-The engagemer
was renewed on the 18th of December has
been discontinued since? A. would judge s
from the contents of his last letter, when b
says:-'I wish no one to come near me, exceE
I in the bonds of simple friendship"
The trial, which occasions an intense excit,
ment in Pittsburg, is still inprogress.
| . f.