Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-02-26

Baltimore experlen ced sensation yestor-
day that paralyzed the whole community
with terrible amazemenL It was no less
than scandal duplicating one Of the most
prominent ministers In tho Methodist Epls-
copal Church South ln the horrible crime OF
seduction. Gathering the facts oil the case
yesterday the reporter Of the American en-
countered as much dlficulty a. always pre-
sents itself in cases Of this kind. The news
when Il had once gained publicity spread
through the city with the greatest possible
speed, and with the affair every one seemed
thoroughly conyersant relating the merest
hearsay as tho most sono iacta, anu tnls
observed In getting the particulars.
The 0rst discovery Of tho affair was tho
finding Of a note In the desk Of one of the
pupils Of the Western Female High school,
directed 10 young man, asking him 10 meet
her a. a certain house, tho reputation Of
which IL one that will not bear scrutiny. This
note came into tho possession Of one Of tho
teachers Of the young lady, who was advised
that something should be done 10 check her
against the fast habits which she had lately
shown q very strong disposition 10 fall Into.
The teacher Immediately acted upon the adj
Vice, and, the school having not yet boon
dismissed, went 10 the girl and told her in
friendly way that the letter had been shown
and she must leave the school instantly. She
also stated 10 her that II would be adding 10
her sin 10 conceal and indulge this criml-
nallty any longer, and ahc ought TO 20 home
TO her mother and make q candid confession
mortified, and left the school with eyes Allied
with tears and flushed cheeks.
Through respect 10 her feelings and for her
own reputation, which had hitherto remained
unblemlshed, the whole matter was kept ex-
tremely quiet and no one was acquainted
l80NN hat
10 whom the note was handed, and the Irin-
clpal. This Is supposed TO have occurred on
Friday, early In the afternoon. Arriving at
home the guilty girl entered tho bod-chamber
Of her mother, who lie q widow lady, ard
represented TO DO Of the highest refinement,
and throwing herself NJ her feet, and bury
ing her head In her lap, sobbed a confession
Of the most horrible kind 10 the nearly heart
broken parent. She admitted the fact that
she had lost her virtue, and stated that the
cause Of keeping tho company she did, and
being on terms Of criminal intimacy with
young men, was the fact that two years ago
she had boon seduced by Rev. DR.. Huston,
then St. Panl's NJ. u. Church South, which
church she attended at the time with her
mother. She gave the names Of several other
young ladies In the city whom she charged
with the same offence, and who are connected
with some Of the most respectable families
Of Baltimore. To these statements no i'm
portance can DO attached, as the girl, Ii ls
thought In her grief and shame, wishes to
impllcate others To relieve herself OF some OF
the odium that will be attached TO her, aud
the public comment and curiosity that a case
Of delicate detail soliclts. The mother Of tho
S y Is stated, upon hearing this ss story was wa
ately visited the minister Of her church, and
related 10 him theterrible news that had been
told her, and wished advice In tho matter,
which was certainly needed. Nothing could
be done but walt patiently until the minister
could be brought to hearing and the matt T
thoroughly investigated, for, straight as the
girls story was, every ono listened TO Il with
iAcredullty, so great was the respect In the
community for Dr. Huston.
But now the affair had leaked out, and II
was q charge so culpable, especially on the
part OF minister, that several members oil
tho Southern Methodist Clergy were made
cognlzant Of the crime, and Il was agreed
that DR.. Huston should be visited and made
II possible, TO ylndlcate himself Of the charge
and sustain bis reputation. So Q committe,
Of Ave was speedily formed consisting o.
clergymon partly and deacons In Trinity
church. They proceeded 70 the house Of pr
Huston and laid the charges before him, witt
all the details given BY t6s unfortunate girl
aud many other small points. He appeared
very much amazed, and persistently declared
his innocence, and upon the matter belnI
urged oy the committee, he took Bible. ant
placing the same upon his heart, fcl upoI
knees, aud looking toward Heaven, said In
clear tone Of voice; "Iu the presence Of
Just God, and at Judgment day, ! can swea
that l am Innocent OF the terrible crime o
which am charged" This was oaiy q pre-
limlnary Of the examination, and as another
effort 70 gain information, the young ladle'
whom tho girl had tried 10 impllcate with
herself were each called upon and CAREFUL
questioned as 10 tho matter. Tho result wa
that they were entirely cleared Of any suspl
cions, and their good names were completed!
indicated.
The affair has created the greatest excite
ment among the members Of Trinity church
which Is situated on the corner of Madison
avenue and Preston street. The congrega
tlon Is made up Of some Of the Oldest mer
chants and their families, and many who ar
very wealthy but 1.-Two In an unostentatiou
manner. The demand for an investigation
urgent on the part OF the committee, AM
particularly so on tho part Of the congrega
tlon, as they are unwilling 10 indulge q fire
expression Of thought OF retain DIR. Hustol
until the matter has received a careful sitting
and he adjudged guilty or Innocent by an I'm
partial committee. Efforts are industrlousl
being made to conduct the investigation wit
SOUND Judgment and decided disposition /
avoid haste, In order TO allow the Doctor,
he can, to ylndicate himself; for while ther
are many who are disposed TO catch up th
least thing that may DO scld and use
against him, there are others who are dIs
posed TO believe that IL Is but o plan devise,
In her mind 10 screen her lover or lover
from the disgrace they would be subjected /
II they should by any means be implicated 4
the matter Of criminal intimacy with her.
The Doctor suddenly left the city on Wedne
day night for Ohio, taking his family wit
him, and thls too, II Is said, without expll
nation to any one. By some II Is cOntende
that II was done at the advice Of numeroI
friends and large number Of the Methodl
clergy, while others say that such Is not Il
case; that the doctor felt Insecure from II
RnAwiuR OF conscience, and he has fed TO u
one knows where, and will never return. B,
fore leaving he was ordered 10 relinqulsh b
position as minister Of the church by the col
gregatlon. The investigation, II is announces
will be continued at once, and all the ey
dence that possibly can will be brought
bear 10 discover the truth.
The ruined girl Is represented as beln
very attractive In personal appearance on
Intelligent She states that when she WI
seduced by DIR. Huston she was only fourtet
years Of age, and at which time he was pa
tor OF ~. Pauls church; and further stat
that her Intimacy with other men was o.
vlsed by him.
Rev. L. d. Huston, d. b., the man who
accused Of this terrible crime, came 10 Ball
more about five years ago from Kentuck
He nrst took charge Of a small chapel {
Weat Baltimore street. known as WinAl
chapel. By his eloquence the congregatit
Increased so rapidly that the splendid churC
known as 81. Pauls, on West Fayette stree
was erected, and he placed ct the head Of
DIR. Huston remained at this church but
short while, afterwards taking charge Of Il
church on the corner Of Madison avenue al
Preston street. He had but few equals as
orator, and Is said TO have labored hard
IllRa RRNTta has