The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-29
The Proceedings Before the Ec-
clesiastical Secret Court.
THE CHIEF VICTIMS CONFESSION.
Miss DriScoll Relates the Story
of Her Downfall.
The Doctor Directly Charged as the Au-
thor of Her Misfortunes.
BALTIMORE, Md, May u, 1872.

BALTIMORE Nd, May IN, 1872
The Huston trial Is exciting increased interest
each day as II progresses. The efforts OF the
Church oicials to shroud the investigation in pro-
found secrecy have proved decided failure. The
HERALD has given to the public so much and such
accurate Information in reference to the proceed
ings as to make the divines who compose the
Court regret that they did not throw open their
doors TO all representatives of the press at their
nrst session. The guilt or innocence OF the ac-
cused has been very thoroughly canvassed
in this city since Saturday His friends
nege that the publication of the charges and inst
tuition OF the ecclesiastical court were simply parts
OF a preconcerted plan to blast his character and
destroy his usefulness In Baltimore, and that they
will SO show, while his accusers declare that he is
guilty, and that they were never more certain of
proving it, They assert that they have yet much
evidence TO bring forward that cannot be contro-
verified. But there can be no doubt OF better
tone OF sentiment to-day than heretofore. As
sensation, this trial is swelling into larger proper
tons, and the public have never been SO
eager for the slightest particle Of information about
the progress of the trial rs they are exhibited
to-day. The manner in which the investigation is
being conducted is subject OF comment; but, per-
haps no better plan could be devised, that it
puts the witnesses to considerable inconvenience
by compelling them to go on the stand more than
once. The charges are separated.
THE QUESTION OF SEDUCTION
IA now before the Court and evidence to that
charge only being heard. Continuous to this, licen
tious cohabtation will be the charge to follow.
NUMBER OF witnesses for the defence in the seduc-
ton case were present this morning at the parson-
age, on Bddle street.
The Court was called TO order promptly at nine
O'Clock, with the same prayerful preliminarles OF
organization and good start for the days labor
of ~
tnued Illicit intercourse brought by the same girl
whose charge OF seduction heard Friday,
would be the basis OF this day inquiry and all the
lady witnesses for the accused were in attendance;
but all were disappointed, rs the defence in the
duction case was proceeded with.
MISS DRIsCOLLs STATEMENT.
That 1t may be understood In all its bearings, the
following statement OF the young girl as 10 the
alleged seduction is presented as being supstan-
DIR. Huston called at her mothers house to visit
sister, who had fallen down and injured the cap OF
her knee He made an examination OF the wound
In the presence OF her mother, and just as he
had finished the examination she entered the
room, whereupon some remark was made about the
they were solid, and to feel them, which he did,
S an os saa ,asy Ss As he took
him. She answered casually some time on
ON the following Sunday at church he asked her to
was prevented from going.
MAKING APPOINTMENTS AT PRAYER MEETING.
asked her why she had not come. She told him the
reason, and he then made another appointment
the time specified sho went to his house and she
was told that Huston was not at home. She
eSn nt to c ss00 onS Sy n.
with two of her schoomates. Huston had
not yet reached home, having been compelled to
O1lciate at the funeral of one OF his parishioners.
They walked down the street and met carriage
containing Huston. He recognized them, and pro-
posed that they Should return home with him,
which they did. They paid quite visit, and as
they were leaving the house
rIyFcT nrn
TO come alone at her next visit. She told her COM
pan!on what he said to her. but had no idea what
day al church he invited her to visit him on Tues
day; she did 50, and after taking a seat
awhile he asked her to raise hef dress as he was
unable to seTher ankle wen the other day. She at
be her grandfather. and as she had allowed him to
look at 1t the other day she ought not to now
SHE DID LIFT UP HER DRESS,
but the Doctor went no further that day. The result
OF TINS interview was an appointment for the fol-
lowing Thursday. On Thursday the same per-
Torrance in reference to the raising of the dress
was repeated, and some conversation ensued as to
the propriety Of wearing short dresses. Huston
expressed himself as great admirer OF pretty
ankles, and at subsequent interview, after some
subtle conversation in reference to the morality
ACCOMPLISHED HER RUIN
On the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day, 1870, she
said she was at H1ston's house; he was complain
Ing that his family and himself had been invited to
Mr.. Samuel Snowden's TO spend the evening.
Huston told her he did not intend to go, and that
according to appointment, and there being some
body in the drawing room Huston
DIRECTED HER TO GO UP STAIRS
into the front room. In short time he joined her
and lockad the door, tie result being already made
was exactly two m0nths since their first inter-
course. Rom this remark she was enabled to fix
ihe date her seduction as On the 9th of SeDtem
Der.
The first Witness introduced by the defence to-
day was The head of me household where the
young girl alleged DR.. Hua.on's family took tea and
spent the evening on Thanksgiving Day, 1870,
.Syr means can of Of which circumstance the
date of her seduction. This witness testified that
her family was net in the city at that time and
hence neither Huston nor his family could have
hnpped there. Witnesses followed the above, and de-
cIared that
- HUSTON AND his FAMILY TOOK TEA TOGETHER
On mat occasion al their own home. One young
,nai stated that he had seen The young girl In
mouse o. prostitution prior to the date OF tie alleged
one occasion, she pointed out TO him the house
1nrso Ilen,iohed the name OF Its owner as the
also exemined witnesses 10 prove ths. Huston was
noi III l2e city on the 2th OF september: that he
a av. ava zen Tor some days prior to that date and
wards not returning uptil October II.
.n aouas pioceedihgs have been by far the most
interest manifested is very great Tomorrow ia |
case VIII pe resumed, ana the trial will each day |
probably gather new interest as ii progresses "
of Modern .Joseph-.Ths /,
Letter or Miss Driseosr
BALTIMORE, May 2s, 1872
The Ecclesiastical Court for the trial Of Dr. Hus. |
ton was in session again to-day. The Court has
met with formidable obstacle IN the unwrlingness
81 witnesses to obey its summons, and, as there is
NO power vested In 10 20 compel obedenec, its !
members have been obliged 10 resort TO the
rather tedious process OF 'moral suasion." yor
Ihs reason early adjournments have been the rue
Tor the last few days. The usual array OF sympa.
Llzers for the aCcuserS and accused were on time
Today and were disposed OF Ia the same manner as |
yesterday.
PERPLExISG CONTRADICTIONS.
After the devotional exercises incident TO OPEN
ing haa been performed, two gentlemen, neighbors
Ol MArY urlsnnu mnrn caIInd ..ar. 4bo