The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-09-10
Clerical LOtRlarlo.

Inc Deautltul village OF AnneC1a, IN Cen
trail New York, has been thrown into un-
comfortable excitement by the develop
ments which have been made within the
past few days. .....sJs.,.s. . q
About two years ago there appeared
among them at that place a man named
'Thurlow Tresselman. He said that he
came there on q mission. His exclusive
hobby was religion, and he expressed de-
sire soon after his arrival to do what was
possible toward the establishment of Me.
thodist church in the village.
The people were at first distrustful OF
their ability TO support O minister, but he
overcame this objection by agreeing that il
by the time that the church should be fin.
ished they were no better able to do so, he
would himself act in the pulpit until their
means would allow them to employ q regu.
lar licensed preacher. His proposition
satisfied the people, subscriptions were
started, and the church was quickly erected,
then took his place in The pulpit, the
church being the only one In the village,
services having been previously held in q
private house. He organized Sunday
school soon after the church had been
opened, and instituted Friday evening
prayer-meetings, and was indefatigable in
his attentions to the spiritual wants of his
flock, frequently visiting the houses of mem.
bers to advise with them concerning reli
gious matters. Er #as ..
1t was noticeable that he most often
visited the handsome young ladies attend.
ing his Sunday school, although he did not
slight the residences Of prepossessing mar.
ried women. Fathers and husbands failed
picion toward him, on account of their con-
tdence in the goodness of the work IN
which he was engaged. ~
The delusions under which they had been
laboring were suddenly dispelled, however
Some time ago vague rumors were clrcula'
ted, alleging that Tresselman's relations to
one or two young lady members Of his con-
gregation had been none Of the purest
These were not believed at first, but were
rather set down as bits of gossip. One
young maiden named Annie Haight, who
has been under his tutelage, could nc
longer conceal her condition from the know.
ledge of the villagers, but she refused at
first to reveal the name of her seducer.
When her condition became known seve.
raj other maidens alleged that they could
the guilty party. When pressed to divulge
the Source of their information, it was dis.
covered that they had themselves, In some
cases, fallen victims to his wiles, or in
others had been the objects Of improper ad:
vances on his part. 1t was not until he bad
been thus Enthusiastically pointed out that
Miss Haight was willing to confess that
Tresselman was her seducer.
The first impulse Of the people on making
this discovery was to lynch the man, but
his address saved him from this punish.
ment. When committee of the villagers
waited upon him to demand an eXplana'
ton, he stigmatized the statement as being
false, and said they originated on the part
of some girls by desire to hide their real
seducer from exposure. He finally advised
them to investigate the charges before they
took final action, or perpetrated the threat.
ened deed of violence. 1t was subsequently
arranged to hold q meeting on Monday eve.
ming for the purpose of giving him formal
hearing. Monday evening came, but nc
Tressefman. Inquiries on Tuesday reveal
ed the fact that he had been seen drl'
wing out of the village on Monday
morning, but no particular trace could be
found Of him. Among those connected
with his congregation was lady name0
Hurst, whose husband was traveller III
Europe. Mrs. Hurst was reported to have
decamped with him. On Investigation her
home was found to be locked and barred
The neighbors, thinking that the circum
stances justified them, broke into the house,
! and found that Mrs. Hurst's clothes had all
been removed. Thefollowing note was dis
covered, addressed to her husband:
"Dear Herman, Don't think of me any
more as your wife. ! have gone with the
only man ! ever loved. You are much Older
than me, though you have been to me all
could expect. But would never be happy
with you again. EMMA:
What steps will next be taken toward tht
clerical Lothario's arrest has not yet beer
ascertained. -