Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-02-27
Grave Charge VS.. Rev L D. Huston, D, I

~
We extract from the Baltimore Gazette of
Saturday last, the following concerning the
grave charge against this distinguished minis
ter:
Early during the present week rumors of a
painful and exciting character were put in cir
culation throughout different portions Of the
city, but more especially in the western and
northwest sections, connecting the name of
the Rev. L. D. Huston, d. D., in the matter
of criminal intimacy with young girl con-
nected with the Sunday school of st. Paul s
Methodist Episcopal Church South, on West
Lafayette street, of which DR.. Huston was the
pastor in charge during the years 1869 and TO-
AS these rumors were speedily supplemented
by others the excitement increased. The pain
full subject, affecting not only the good name
of man whose character has been above re-
proach, but also to certain extent the inter-
ests of the denomination to which he was con-
nected, was much discussed, public sentiment
on the question being about equally divided,
many expressing the conviction of DR. Huston 8
entire innocence of the grave offense imputed
to him.
Up to the beginning of the present week,
DIR. Huston has had the PASTORAL charge of
Trinity Methodist Episcopol Chuch South, cor
ner of Madison avenue and Preston streets,
and it is proper at this point to state that the
scandal-if such it should eventually prove
has no connection with any of the members of
its congregation or Sunday school, but dates
back to period of some eighteen months ago.
when he was pastor of st. Pauls Church
South, on West Lafayette street, near Repub-
lican.
The following particulars have been obtained
from authoritative sources: On Friday or Sat
urday of last week a-young GIRL an attendant
of the Western Female High School, whose
name, though known, is for obvious reasons
suppressed, addressed a note to gentlemen
acquaintance, requesting him to meet her at a
house of ill-repute. This note on reaching Its
destination greatly astonished the recipient,
who, though grieved at its discovery, deemed it
his duty to communicate the fact of its having
been written to Professor Holingshead, the
Principal Of the school. This he did, and on
Mr.. Hollingshead becoming acquainted with its
contents, he In turn communicated them to the
mother of the girl, respectable lady residing
In the western part of the city, who was
thrown into the profoundest grief at the dis
covery. The next step of the Principal was to
expel the girl from the school, deeming her an
unfit associate for the other pupils.
Her expulsion created among her immediate
friends considerable feeling, and inquiries were
propounded to her by her friends as to the
cause of it. To them she represented that
some eighteen months ago she had been led
astray by the Rev. Dr. Huston, while she was
and since that time had been intimate with
others.
The trial Of DIR. Huston by an Eccesiastic
Court will take place at the approaching SEES
sion of the Conference at Warrenton, Va,
which meets on March, 9th proximo.
Several prominent gentlemen connected with
Trinity Church, some of whom have been en-
gagged In the investigation, make the following
statement in reference to the affair: Some time
last week young lady 10 this city, having nc
connection whatever with Trinity Church OF
Sunday School, addressed note to male ac-
quaintance, requesting that he would meet her
| by appointment at house Of assignatlon. The
gentlemen on the receipt of the note, stated
the fact to her school teacher (; the girl was al
once dismissed from the school and the cause
stated to her mother.
| On being closely Intercepted by her mother
as to her disgraceful conduct, she asserted thai
she had been led astray by the Rev. DR.. Hus-
ton, of Trinity Church, and gave the names Of
several young ladies-none of them having any
connection with that Church-whom she as.
serted had also been intimate with DIR. Huston
When informed of this statement, DIR. Huston
at once deuied the charges as being utterly
without foundation, and expressed desire that
they should be fully and promptly investigated.
| An investigation has been commenced by the
church authorities, and the charges will be
thoroughly sifted. Pending the result of this
investigation. DR.. Huston has resigned his Ii
cense as a preacher. By the advice of friends
DIR. Huston, who is in very delicate health, has
left the city temporarily, but will present him.
self before the authorized tribunal of the
church at such time as shall be necessary fol
the trial.