Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-12-08
The Chester Libel and SANDER Suit. |
CHESTER, Nov, 9th, 1877.

Mr.. EDITOR There has lately been
going the rounds of the New England
newspapers statements similar to the fol-
lowing:
"a CASE OF SLANDER.-Rev. E. S. Fos-
ter, of Chester, recently prosecuted G. p.
Spaulding of that town, foran alleged libel
published in the Woodstock Age. Quite
recently Foster was arrested ON a similar
complaint, and only escaped incarcera-
ton in Jail by being released on bail, fur
uished after he reached Woodstock, by
the Hon. Julius Converse" &c. &c.
The writer of that article was igno-
rant of the facts, or willfully perverted
them. There seems to be studied at
tempt by correspondents to mislead the
public in this sad controversy and man
ufacture capital for Spaulding. con-
slider it therefore, due your Universalist
readers, as well as those at large, to give
brief history Of the case which is ex-
citing considerable interest hereabouts.
Some two years or more ago, G. P. Spaul-
ding, then selfconstituted, prominent
member of the Restoration society, Cnow
defuact) took offence at the Rev. Z. S.
Foster, for some imaginary wrong or I'M
intentional slight. He doubtless saw
with jealous eye, that his influence in
that society was waning and accordingly
resolved that if he could not rule he
would ruin. He saw the seeds Of death
sown in the old society, and he knew very
we'll that he could never belong to the
new one, for a man who disbelieves in
the inspiration of the Bible and in fu-
ture life, has no title to membership in
the Universalist church.
Spaulding nursed his wrongs from a
mole hill to mountain by Imagination
How he could crush Mr.. Foster and
drive him from the ministerial service,
was his theme by day and his dream by
night. Slanderous reports we're circula-
ted, and no stone left unturned to poison
the public mind against the victim. Mr..
Spaulding has for the past year, been ev-
identity man of one idea and has SEEM
ed by the close observer fit subject for
the care of DR.. Rockwell of Brattleboro.
! The spirits might not administer to him
in that retreat so ardently as here at
Chester, but his excited brain would not
be the looser thereby. Efforts have been
repeatedly made by the committee OF the
society, in presence of the parties to set,
tie the matterand still thetroabledwater
Mr.. Foster also repeatedly offered to leave
the entire settlement OF this difficulty to
three good business men, or three accredit
ed clergymen, or to onerelia BILE clergyman
of any denomination in the State, SAID
Spaulding selecting all such referees, OF
the condition that he would abide the is
sue of their judgment, and Mr.. Foster
offered to give bonds to also abide theil
decision. Bot all was fruitless. Spaul
ding seemingly rolled revenge as a swee
morsel under his tongue. About yea
ago Mr.. Foster left Chester and went t.
Michigan, to negotiate acompromise with
the Universalist parish which had made
all efforts to secure his services as pastor
and even here this enemy followed him
, After gaining an honorable release, Mr.
Foster contemplated locating in Connect
icut, where he had a call. The fou
, breath of SANDER had preceded hin
there. The discipline of the Universal
ist church is such that he was obliged t.
, return to Chester to vindicate his char
acter, where he is best known and wher
the charges originated. After enduring
the burden of these ISLANDERS Tor over tw,
. years and finding that no honorable set
Element could be made, Mr.. Foster fel
forced to require Mr.. Spaulding to prov
hisassertions. Consequently last Angus
q Mr.. Foster sued Spaulding for slande
and libel and attached all his visibl
property, both real and personal. 1t nov
presents the singular spectacle of being
under three attachments, to satisfy tn,
claims of as many different parties Mr.
Foster was duly summoned by Luther
Adams, counsel for Spaulding, to appeal
before Hugh Henry, master in chancery
2 and give in his deposition in favor of tn,
2 man who was prosecuted for libel anc
SANDER, TO bolster up, if possible, hi;
damnable cause and unheard of proceed
ing. After being subjected three day,
to the most insulting questions that s
, learned and nervous attorney could de.
wise, Mr.. Foster consulted Chas. n. Dav
| export of Brattleboro, during an adjourn
ment, who advised him to answer nc
more questions, he pronouncing it an il
: legal affair. Let them commit you i
I they dare" he said. Mr.. Foster wa
a committed | Judge Barrett being a
: home, he Immediately released him, ant
hearing thereon will be had at the De
n cember term of court.
: Thus | have endeayored to give yo,