The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-01
"THE HOUSE ON Stills.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SEA CLIFF GROVE
SCANDAL CAsE--THE LISTENERS UNDER THE
SITTING RooM--wAs 1T CASE OF BLACK
| MAIL?
Tho indictment of william r. Depuy, son OF the
Rev. Dr. Depuy by the Grand Jury OF Queens county,
mas again brought to the surface the Sea Cliff Grove
scandal OF last fall. Mr. Depuy IS charged with having
attempted to blackmail David Pyatt. and Mr. Pyatrs
side OF the story already been made public. The
other side, tod to-day for the first tmo by those
interested in the dolcns vepleto with interest,"
claims bring to the surface the true inwardness'
OF the whole affair.
TROUBLE COMMENCES.
II appears for time previous to September
last there had boon two parties in the management Of
the Sea Cliff Grove Camp Meeting Grounds OF course
these parties were bitterly antagonistc 10 each other
and the brethren did anything but dwell together IN
unity. William X. Depuy, resident OF Sea Cih Grove
OF the leading men in The party which has
since lriumphcd. David Pyatt, also resident. was
prominently connected with the other party,
also his brother-ln-law, L. A. Batter
shall Mr.. PyMt, IL is stated, Kept grocery
the grounds, and was also Postmaster. To
influence Of Mr. Battersha, VINO was at that time
member OF the Board OF Trustees. There consid-
AFFAIRS and Mr. Battershall, is stated, becoming OBJ
noxous to tho Board was forced 10 remain inactive,
although nomiDaly member until the last election,
when he dropped from the Board. To young Mr..
Dupuy attributed much OF the discontinue that
bcicil Mr. Battersba Mr. Pyatt of course, FULLY
tanned his brother Flaw and sympathizcd with
HIM in his feeling against Mr.. Dupuy. Had
the matter rested here the public might
have never learned OF this little storm on Long
work, and as one Of tho trustees stated TO the
writer, "Brother pyats over affection for one of tho
sisters eventually led him into the way OF publicity.
1.-THE HOUSE Stills"
Many of the houses at sea Gin Grove arc butt without
cellars, and in erected splcs. such
IA occupied by Mrs Walls and her two children.
The defendants state that although married, brother
ryn'. was very 70 Mrs s attention
became and more marked. until
breath OF scandal mingled with the brcczes
Of tho sea as they whispered among the pines. The
younger spirits OF the grove used 10 gather in the
evening beneath the sitting room floor under the
"house on Suits" as they called 1t, the days
came and went and with them Brother Pyatt they
marked his coming ana his gong. What they alleged
they heard they are stated have freely told, and tho
residents became indignant Mr. Pyatt was threatened
as Was also Mrs. Walls.
the BLAcKMAiLlxa LITTER.
About this time Mr. Pyatt received postal card pur
porting to come from private detective in TINS CITY,
Mr. Pyatt was told that IN consideration OF certain
sum oil money the facts OF his intimacy with Mrs. Walls
would be suppressed Mr. Pyatt charged Mr. Depuy
With being he author OF the letter ana had him
rested and taken before police jnsliee IN this city
urged his discharge on two grounds First that the
wording OF Tho letter did not come within
not being received in Now York the case not within
the jurisdiction of the Court. The Court allowed
Mr. Depuy 10 go on his own recognizance and some
time aerwari discharged him entirely Mr.. Dcpuy
denies that he rs the author OF the lettor or Is con-
cerned In the affair all and IL claimed by the
friends of Mr.. Depuy that Mr.. Pyatt is himself the
author OF the letter Shortly after this civil suits Tor
damages we're instituted against Mr. Dcpuy. by both
Mrs. Walls and Mr. Pyatt, neither OF which
have ever been brought TO trial. The matter
was allowed TO drop until the present time, when II
appears that the Grand Jury OF Queens county have
found bill OF indictment against Mr.. Depuy Tor the
same alleged offence for winch he was tried IN New
York. Mr.. Depuy at present In the cstcrn States,
but his counsel, Judge Stewart, has notified the DIS
trict Attorney that lie will furnish the necessary bail
and demand instant trial upon his clients return,
which will be In day Two. From the social and
business standing OF Mr. Dcpuy's family the case Will
DO watched with interest