The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-18
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Bo0NE's MADNESS. sl@
An Iowa Minister Of the Gospel Accus-
ed OF TIE Ruin Of Young Lady. 81

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From the Des Aoiaes REGISTER.
For nearly two weeks the most scandal
Gus reports have been flying from mouth
to mouth regarding Rev. j. N. Reynolds
principal of the. Boonsboro schools. and
the hope that there was no foundation for
the rumors has kept the matter from an
pearing in Erint A slight mention of the
scandal appeared in last week 8 Depsocrot.
wherein It was stated that the story waa
too unreasonable to command credence
But since then so much has been said. 40
many charges made, and as the casa has
at last come into the courts, further silence
in the columns of newspaper is impos.
sibe.
For the past four years Reynolds has
been principal of the high school in Boons-
boro, and being q successful teacher, won
the confidence of his scholars. About a
year and half ago he opened a music
store in Boonsboro, which was afterward
moved to Boone. After opening his store
he took into his employ a girl of sixteen.
named Hattie Slater. living in Boonsboro,
and it is charged that Reynolds used. his
influence as teacher and minister of the
gospel to accomplish the ruin of this young
and inexperienced girl The FIRST rumor
that was circulated was to the effect that
he had gone to Council Bluffs and Omaha
with her, and remained there two or three
days. The girl lives with her grandpar-
ents in Boonsboro, her father residing 10
Marshall county. Her father was sent for,
and he is our authority for the statements
we make
On the Sd of December last Reynolds
went to the house of the girl, and told her
grandparents that he intended to open a
music store in Jefferson, and that as Hat
tie had always been favorite scholar of
his. he desired to do well by her, and give
her good chance. For this purpose he
suggested that the girl go with him to JET
| ferson. stating that he would stay there
over Sunday (this was friday and preach
| and introduce the girl to respeS table peo-
| Pile, so that she could secure boarding
place in a private house. As the people
generally had confidence in Reynolds, no
objection was made to this arrangement,
and the girl left with him. Instead of
stopping at Jefferson. they went through
to Council Bluffs, and stopped at hotel
there, Reynolds registering his name all
right, but putting down the girls name az
| IF. NJ. Sco6eld. Ames." At the table
they met d. W. Bushnell, formerly of
| Boonsboro, and other acquaintances. AS
Reynolds found he was ton well-known in
Council Bluffs, he went over to Omaha,
where. in the Grand Central hotel, he re-
| eistered as u. N. Reynolds and lady,
Boone, and was assigned room No. los,
which he and the girl occupied that night.
| This much we getf rom the father of the
injured girl. The girl herself refuses to
say anything. and shields Reynolds 1t is
o iy by keeping strict watch over her that
she can be kept at home. She is perfectly
frantic, and will not have anything to dc
with any one who tries to get word from
her or say aught against him. A letter
from her was intercepted in which she
asks him to send her revolver.
| The feeling at Boonsboro runs high, and
the crime. of Reynolds if guilty, is of the
blacklist dye. This vile crime calls for a
greater punishment than a term in the
penitentiary, and it is to be regretted that
there Is no law that permits criminal OF
this kind to be punished by being incapac-
itated from any future attempt at such
crimes But we do not wish to be toe
hasty to condemn. Reynolds denies the
story, and says it is simply brought out to
crush him. As he will probably be prose
cuted for seduction, we will withhold iudg.
went for the present
Reynolds is man of about thirty, well
educated and of considerable ability. He
is a good speaker in the pulpit, and is fine
teacher. 1t is almost incomprehensible
how a man like he. with family, could
blast his whole future by such actions.