The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-24
SCANDAL Upon SCANDAL.
The Plymouth Bethel Missionary
Charged with immortality.
MRS. KETTELL'S ACCUSATION
A Dramatic Scene in Hicks
Street, Brooklyn.

A Dramatic Scene in Hicks
Street, Brooklyn.
Brooklyn is again ringing with another scandal In
connection with Plymouth Church, tho central figure
IN tho affair this time being Rev. Frank L. smith,
tho missionary In charge OF the Plymouth Bothel In
Hicks street. The Bethel was founded by tho pastor
OF Plymouth Church and is supported by his congre-
cation In common with most city missions IL has
reading room for mechanics aud poor children, and
on Sundays divine services are hold there In
the at,eruoon ana evening. It has five hundred
Sabbath school pupils on It's roll the Sunday school
bong in charge OF Mr. Isaac n sgnor. who Is also
member OF tho Examining Committee OF Plymouth
Church.
Last Tuesday morning. as Mr.. Smith was approach
Ing the Bethel. accompanied by his aged father, an
attractive LADY, stylishy dressed, ana who had owl
IDENTIFY boen awaiting his coming, walked
rapidy to his side. Raising her paraso,
as though to emphasize her words, she nd.
dressed him, ''Seducer! liar drunkard!
Deny this before my face If you dare - Tho old
gentleman attempted to her arm, but
yhe recoiled from his touch, saying, "Do not
aarc 10 place your hand upon mo or ! will
have you arrested assault and battery"
Apparently plying her, while the reverend object
OF her indig nation sought shelter in neighboring
butchers shop, the eidorly gentleman sought 10
soothe her. saying s.Poor SOUL" when shc Indignantly
retortd address that language TO your SOD. you old
hypocrite II he were innocent he would not thus
run away" Having finally succeeded in calming the
irate lady the old gentleman led her away from tho
spot and accompanied her TO her home
This lady proved to DO Mrs. Matilda Kcttell, q
comey widow who has Tor the past i've years been
q frequent attendant at tho Plymouth Bethel, and
prom nent member OF its Bible class. She claims,
as does her brother, Mr. John Lewis, thut Rev Frank
smith who formed her acquaintance immediately
on his ng charge oil the mission, about Two years
ago has eviuced more than spiritual interest In her
welfare While, with some reluctance, she related The
incident Hi ka street. to HERALD reporter last
evening in the presence OF her brother
.I have been aware for some time past that MI
his treatment OF me became known. he was unremit
ting in bis attentions 10 me, but something told
mo he was not sincere J have often sad
TO hear heaven but am afraid you arc leading
me away from heaseX' when Mr. Morton was a.
my heart full oil heaven ana heavenly thoughts
Hero she wrung her hands. and, bursting into tears,
sobbed, ssBut now have lost oil.
Mr. Lewis said that he nrst brought tho conduct OF
Mr.. Smith toward his sister to tho attention Of Mr.
Layton and tho latter Land his statement before Mr..
sguor April following he received note, OF
which the following is a copy
BROOKLYN. April .. 1873
Dr.n sIn-it a hard case. but don't want any
NC more against Mr. Smith. You and your sister and
time place will named come down. Be merci-
a IN .'H e'is oT.nss
This was marked "private" on the envelope.
This letter directed to No. 259 High street, tho
residence OF Nj. Lewis, who, gu the same day,
merely acknowledged its receipt BY postal card
20 the initials and number designated Not
willing 10 let the matter bore, Mr.
Lewis preferred additional charges against Mr.. Smith
TO the superintendent OF the Bethcl, and
ing OF tho sth he and sister invited
appear and present formal charges before a commit
tee com posed OF superintendent Signor and dozen
lIptne n d
81 GROWING INTIMACY. .......
Al this meeting Mr. Lsyls rssd written statement
with Mr. Smith IN May sst and then goes on 10 ex-
plain how the intimacy grew between Mr. smith
and his sister, and how he came homo ono evening
and found, Smith and his sister talking az
Tho door. Not liking the appearance Of matters
demonstrated with Mr.. Smith regard TO tho matter
telling him he must stop H. otherwise u would cause
enter into his mr. Lcvisp view OF tho case,
and said he would not do SO any more
svering aud they euchre together until nearly
midnight during the week following he called sgan
and proposed a game OF cards on this occasions
smitn's manner aud came 10 the c0nciu-
sion that he had been drinking to excess.
His eyes were booishot, and his actions those OF n
who partially intoxicated. On this occasion
he again stayed until almost midnight. and remarked
that should tell his wife he had been
visiting sick persons. smith continued TO cali
often, and Mrs Ketiell spent good deal OF time
the Bethel frequently arriving home late IRON shat
place. Lewis mentioned this 10 his mother,
who at once admitted that she was worried
between smith and her daughter, ana threatened
10 inform smith wiic. About that time Dir. Smith
bad his summer vacation, during which time Mrs
Tuesday evening, OCTOBER o. Mrs kettell was pre-
par ng to the Bethel, her brother made the
remark her hearing that be going TO New York,
but Instead OF that he followed her, and alter the
meeting was over she went to the Jerry and took
lar the Clinton HOUSE ana at that point he got
tho same car. Al the junction OF Adams aud Fulton
Streets smith got GU the car arriving az Pac nc street.
nnd Flstbush avenue Smith aud Mrs. Kettr lcf
the together and walked out 10 Atlantic
loughby avenue TO Vanderbilt. wbero Mira Ke,te
took a and wcDl home, Mrs smith gong an
opposite direction. She did not arrive home until
eleven O'Clock that nifnt Whom Lewis saw smith
The next timc he asked HIM about being on
Fuion street that night and atoot riding on Flat
bush car. smith was confused, and denied having
been either place the night IN question, adding
that lac went home early, as his wife was sick Lewis
ut once told smith that ~ useless for
him deny H. no hac followed his
movements that night On hearing THIS smith be-
game coniu.ed. and finally requested Lewis
not 10 say anything abou, The affair, bccaGsc i
would xiii min at the Bethel II be-
samo known there. Lewis told him ,ha, 4
would keep tho matter quiet and nc agreed TO dts
continue his visits 70 the house, saying that he could
stand an examination, thar he would n OF be able
10 scquii himself, and that no would rather leave
Brookiy than have The matter known.
MRS. KETTgLL's srATEsgSr
In addition to tho above Mrs. Kciteli, at tho same
meeting of tho committed stated IN substance as
IN February. 1871, shortly alter be took
charge OF tho Bethel missor she then lived
In Front street Ia the following March shc moved
10 High street, where sue stu resides. and
Smith continued 10 visit her frequently On
calling ono day he found thai she had
gone to New York. lilo Immediately folio wed
her. met her at Fulton Market her way back
They went into m oyster saloon aud had some oys-
tcrs. Not long sf,cr this she met nm the corner
OF broadway and Fulton street. whom he invited
80 70 staten Island Tor SAT- Az lrst she dc.
ciincd but he assured her that everything was all
right, and accordingly she accompanied him. Arriv-
ing al station Island they went to restaurant and,
Mt his request, drank glass OF ale with
linn. lie pressed her 10 take second glass.
but she refused, aud he took ono himself,
none, rcmarklng that he would bot have a chance
brooklyn. lie then asked the landlord Tor private
room anu the latter replica that no had room
cent one with q bed Va. Smith said that would do,
but the landlord refused aud Smith &c emed not
10 like II. They away, aud stopped In