Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-11-20
Trial of q Clergy lnan-Exciting
Scene ira Presbytery.

Trial of a Clergy ,nan-Exciting
Scene ira Presbytery.
The trial of Rev. Mr.. Glendenning, Pres
byterian minister, for the seduction of Miss
Pomeroy, a member of his church, she
charging him ON her death-bed with the
act, is progressing before the Presbytery of
Newark, N. J. The Investigation la Fri
day developed in detail Glendenning's de-
fences of the charges made against him.
The accused was subjected to a rigid
croSs-eXamlnatiOn under oath. and Sald lie
had visited Miss Pomeroy sometimes once
IA week and sometimes oftener; visited her
sorially and for church purposes; sometimes
stayed as late as II P NJ. but not frequent
ly; made his visits suit his convenience,
and was usually alone with her; visited
her oftener than he did any other lady, be-
cause they had become friends, and read
Scott, Burns and Tennyson to Iether, which
he did not read with other ladies: he had
occasionally read his sermons to her; had
given her presents because she was the only
lady who had given him presents he was
not engaged to her, and there was no sucn
understanding between them, nor had he
ever done anything to give ground for sus-
PiSAoAA VI o'tSi LII W
her he addressed her as Dear Mary" aud
sometimes signedhi name infull and some
times as Glen" He had kissed her, but
was not in the habit of kissing her. lii June
he told her that he had received an anony-
nous letter containing charges g inst her,
and it, led to her confession of guilt He
had received other and silnila letters, but
had burned them. She told him that while
living in her uncle Jocob Miller's house, in
Beech street, New York, she was seduced
at an early age by a young man in the fam
lily, and that several other men who knew
OF this held it over her as d threat, and
thereby succeeded in making her yield to
their desires. He then told her 'sshe was
lower than prostitutes that lay in the gutter
and he would have nothing more to do with
her," At this point the moderator protes-
ted against such revolving details. when DR..
Eddy said:
''Mr. Moderator. say that these details
are very important. Mr.. Glendenning now
stands under II weighty Charge. Ii lie can
Snow US such facts as will remove the guilt
from him and place it ON other shoulders,
let him speak out, give us the name, and
then face the consequences in this commu-
nifty. Loud applalse.]
DR.. lmbrie moved That the Presbytery
adjourn until the room be cleared, and
that hereafter none but the Presoytery and
tine reporters be present. A scene of wild
confusion ensued. The motion was carried
and the room was cleared, not, however,
without great difficulty and loud protests,
especially from the ladies. Several voices
rang out, ''Name! namef - and Glenden-
ning,.s voice was heard ringing out in reply,
Yes, will - At this point it seemed lis
if the dense crowd would sweep across the
barrier placed against them. Angry threats
We're uttered, and gestures of wild indig-
nation were seen throughout the entire ;tu-
dience.
Amid all the mutterings, muimurs, creak-
ing Of benches and protests. Gendenning
maintained remarkable self-possesslon.-
One old lady dressed in black, standing only
Il few feet in front of him, cried out, "Why
DOM he give us the names before we leave?"
The crowd became more excited outside,
and fingered i'll a menacing attitude, rap
ping at the doors and windows. One of
the ifate individuals must have been pos
sessed Of diamond ring, with which he
cut out nearly whole pane in the Stain
ed glass window, through which he could
view the proceedings. No party OF lynch
ers could he more brmful of excitement
and Indignation. Elder Howell called for
police protection and the crowd was clear
ed away after clamoring for three-uuarters
of an hour in vain.
the doors having been locked, the Pres
bytery came to order, and Glendenling re-
Sumed his narrative Oh cress-eXaminatiOn.
Miss Pomeroy left the impression on his
mind that these transactions with the par
ties referred to had t occurred for some
time; she afterwards told him they had been
going ON lately she informed him of her
condition, and gave thename of the guilty
party. Afterwards she gave him the name
of another party III connection with the pa
ternity of her child, land asked him, III con-
sideration of past friendship, to write to
heraunt, in Perryville, n. \ and she migh5
take pity on her condition. While making
these revelations she threw up her hands
several times and said she wished she were
dead
Dr.. Imbrie.-How is it that during your
long intimacy with her you We're deceived
in her? A. Well, I was the pastor of this
church, and of course. she would present
herself before me in the best possible light.
never saw anyt ing coarse in her.
Mr.. Dodd then offered the following let
ter:
"JULY7, 1S74.-My Dear Glen: am 60
ing away to-day aud desiring to make an
them a note, a copy of which inclose.
am sorry to have to make such an eXplana-
ton now, but could not tell them before.
Ii | have done wrong did not mean it,
Excuse me for allowing my suspicion to fall
Oh you without at once freeing you by tell
ing the whole truth in regard to The mat
ter Shall l see you before go away?
MARIE"