The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-02-16
A Pastor Elopes with Trustees Daughter

We copy as follows from the New York special cor
respondence OF the Louisville Courer-Journal:
NEW YORK, Jan. l0>-The elopement of Rev Ho-
race Cook, pastor of the Seventh street Methodst
church, with Miss Martha Johnson creates intense ex
cltement in the church circles of this city, Mr. Cook
was for about eight years pastor of church in Mama
ronek, Weschester county, and to this city only
eight months ago, where he Immediately gained nu-
merous friends by his kind lners, eoquence and
learning. he has been married sixteen years to
most devoted wife, and has named Baldwin, if
teen years OF age, most promising lad.
Mr. Johnson the father of Martha. is one of the
trustees of the church, wealthy and highly respected
Martha was only schoolgirl sixteen years of age and
was about to graduate i'll the Twelfth street public
school. She was highly accomplished and beloved by
her parents and brothers, and esteemed by her teach
ers. more than ordinary sympathy had been no.
tced between her and the pastor of the church to
which she had only been recently converted but the
girl was always so innocent that no particular susp
cion aroused
The whole of last week the Rev. Horace Cook fegned
sickness. On Thursday he sent his family to church
to attend lecture, and even sent the servants He
excused himself from attending pleading sickness. 1t
was found that he sent his trunk out of the parsonage
On Friday be left his house empty-handed and told
his wife he would be home at the evening service
Since that time, however, he has not been seen
On this same Friday morning Miss johnson said to
friend, Miss DeVoe, on leaving school, Come home
with me- am afraid" Said Miss Devoe: els not
your pastor standing there ," Oh yes" said Martha,
and saying that she joined Mr.. Cook Since thea moth.
ing has been of either party but the parents of
the girl are convinced that she did not willingly 90
with the clergyman for all her clothes were at home
also all her trinkets She went off in her school dress
and without change of clothing
The charge is now openly brought against him that
he has abducted the girl against her own wish and de-
sire. On Saturday Miss Marthas father received the
following letter. II love Matte will care for her
tendery, kindly lovingly, inconsistent as it may ap-
pear with my present conduct ask for no mercy,
but am ready to part with my life for the possession of
the woman adore. Cook"
Mrs. Cook received, the same afternoon, letter
from the miscreant in which he says: 81 am on the
last plank. You will never see my face again hope
Baldwin will be better than his father"
The poor woman is so distressed that the physicians
fear that brain fever may in Miss Marthas brother
threatens to shoot the pastor at first sight Said the
father to-day "If midnight assassin had come into
my house could have defended myself; but the pas
tor of my church-the minister of the Gospel-to steal
my child is more than | can stand"
The affair created intense excitement in Methodist
circles which is heightened by reports that he has COM
mitted suicide in Canada This, however, is not con-
rmed On the contrary, it is than probable that
both left on the European steamer on Saturday as the
etters above mentioned were posted in this city on
Saturday morning.