The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-20
reported for THE GLOBE
THE PORTER-ALLEN SCANDAL.
Trial of Rev. @. W. 5. Porter.

G. w. s. Porter, for adultery, was heard
Aug. II, at the office of Joseph l. Scott, in
Brooklyn, Mt. Tabor, on complaint
signed by Amasa Thompson, grand juror.
Mr.. Thompson being sick, M. G. Everts,
states attorney was sent for to manage the
case for the state.
Mr.. Everts arrived on the morning train
and was present, as prosecuting counsel,
through the trial. A large number of peo-
pie, in and from out of town, were present,
the court room being filled and crowded at
an early hour with spectators: Mr.. Porter
came on the early train. His counsel ].
NJ. Slade of Middlebury, arrived on the
afternoon train, and also several of MIR.
Porter's friends from Weybridge.
The case was called by Justice Scott at
81 o'clock p. m. The first witness called
for the state was
l.. d. PEMBER,
who testified that Mr.. Porter made
his home at his house most of the time dur
ing the year left when conference met in
April, 1875 Miss Hattie Allen had lived
with HIM some eight years she was six
teen years of age was acquainted with
handwriting of Mr. Porter had had q per-
sonal correspondence with and communi-
cation from him; Cwltness produced some
writing of Mr.. Porter on small scrap of
paper saw him write frequently while at
fIom Mr.. Porter to Miss Allen found one
note in Hattie's dress pocket, and another
in Ter singing book she had father liv-
ing 10 Massachusetts, her father has had no
charge of her since she lived with him.
Cross. examined by Mr.. Slade-Mr. Por-
ter made his home with him, off and on,
during the year am overseer of the poor
Miss Allen came to my house eight years
ago had lived with him since, with the
exception of few weeks, up to the pres
ent time had two letters from Mr.. Por-
ter, while at conference did not see him
write letters referred to; will not swear
positively that Mr.. Porter wrote the notes;
thought all the letters shown were written
by the same person (bere letters were
again compared and Mr.. Pember refused
to answer same questions); found one let
| ter on the stand at my house have kept it
ever since (here letter was produced
written by Mr.. Porter to Miss Eunice
Nichols last March, in reference to some
thing Mr.. Porter heard she had reported
-hc~. h;.-,N. uent up to Weyhridpe after
Miss Allen thought it my duty to 60 ;
she had been up there seven weeks the
letters found led me to think she had
gone there found those letters previous
to going went to Weybridge of my own
accord Presiding Elder went ur there
with me told Mr.. Porter when at Wey-
bridge l had letters and notes with me
that would implicate him in crime with
Miss Allen never saw any improper con-
| duct or familiarity with Miss Allen while
at my house Miss Allen was sick con.
siderable while Mr.. Porter lived with me
had no i'll will towards MIR. Porter he
stayed one night after the conference. CA
request of Mr.. Slade to produce some OF
Mr.. Pember's handwriting was objected tc
by Mr.. Everts.) Did not know wher
Miss Allen went to Weybridge
sent her to school in the
morning she left home without my
knowledge the letters found after SHE
left, led me to think she had gone to Por
ter's let Elder Watson have the letters
got information she was at Weybridge be
fore l went there Hattie was anxious t.
come home with me Mrs. Porter wrot'
for her to come up there Hattie ha(
spoken frequently about going away die
not know she was Disconnected neve
wrote letter or note to Miss Allen.
r. WATSON, PRESIDING ELDER.
Am p. E. Elder of Burlington district
Bishop Ames appointed ministers last con
ference have been acquainted with Mr.
Porter for twenty years have had no cor
re3pondence recently, know his hand
writing have seen his letters am no
expert enough to compare writing, ant
Identify; cannot swear positive Mr.. Por
ter wrote these letters, but it is my opinion
that he did Mr.. Pember first showed m
letters found in Miss Aliens possession tn
10th day of May; several letters were her
introduced and shown by Mr.. Watson, tn
? same used in the trial before the churcl
committee, with the request that tie,
should be returned to HIM, as custodian
for the purpose of Mr.. Porter's trial at tn
next conference, which request was grant
ed. The letters or notes above referred to
are without signature, and read as follows
viz:
LETTER NO. ONE.
"To-night also. Shall tonight be in m,
bed. or in the barn, or in the shed cham
Der Tell me, and will you meet me an,
time when writer could not Ihave vol
before. Return this to me. Do you Low
me nowp Kisses
NOTE OR LETTER NO. TWO.
"Do you want me here ? Can we thi
forenoon Can We all night ? Let m
see all scraps destroyed. Will you go wit
, us to Weybridge p
LETTER NO. THREE.
III you cannot keep awake now can yo
come every night as you promised Fou
or five have been failures. Write me
= note tell all. Kisses and love-"
, To this letter or note Miss Allen reptile
, as follows
"Do not doubt me. Will come If star
fall"
LETTER NO. FOUR.
81 only wanted you to trust me. Oh
smile and love me and be as before. It
all over forever. Oh, pray forgive"
LETTER NO. FIVE.
"Have you seen Sawtell = Stella ?"
LETTER NO. SIX.
"Be sure to leave the shed door un
locked II | am out after dark, and al
the doors Open"
After reading the letters by Counsel