The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-04
HOLDING COURT At MTDyIouT
The Very seriou. Charge Made Against a
Clergyman aud AGerward Dismissed.

The Rev. Horace L. T.. Pratt, who made
afldavit that no was assistant pastor of NJ.
Thomas Episcopal Church at Fifth avenue
and Fiftieth street. and Mrs. Mary Clark OF
Fifth avenue. were arrested yesterday in Cen
trial Park by Officer Edward Burns and takon
to tho Arsenal. where. before Capt. Corcoran.
Onicer Burns charged Dr. Pratt with an indc-
cont assault. Mr.. Pratt there gave tho assumed
name Of George Pendlcton. Tho woman ad-
mitted her guilt to Cant. Corcoran. They were
then both taken 10 the Fifty-ninth street police
station.
TAT 10 O'Clock last night Justice Bixby. accom-
panied by tho Hon. Gideon Tucker. x-Surro-
gate. and his son. Paul Tucker. OF tho law firm
Of Tucker x Tucker OF "a Park row. drove up
to tho station. Justice Blxby Mt once sent word
to Sergeant England OF the Central Park police
to produce Onlccr Burns in court. At half past
10, on the arrival of the officer, Justice Bixby
sid that h9 would Immediately open court ut
duce his prisoner forthwith.
The, Rev. Mr. Pratt il IA tall. mid1c-aged.
wcl-deycopcd man. He was dressed in "A long
alpaca duster. and Wore a straw hat pulled over
his, eyes. Mrs; Clark. who refused 10 raise her
VEL was plainly but elegantly attired; -,
bBixby opened the, court and addressed Oftlcer
Burns Burn ismpr ni; The Lhprge you have
ness OF the oath you are about to take"
OhI,cr Burns heing duly sworn, said; | am
an officer of the Central Park Police. At about
II o'clock to-day | arrested the two persons
pcndleton and Jane CLARK. in tho Central
Park 1t was raining at the time. ana while
passing bridge 2G. opposite 1921 street. hoard
the sound Of persons moving bchinl some
a9ciy Oh bq6n S SrI Ge% D2'H saw ~"'T th%i
man and woman acting in grossly indecent
manner watched them for fully ton minutes,
and swear positively &C. what have stated. |
THIN arrested them. The woman was greatly
Mr.. Pratt said: Your Honor am innocent
OF all crime. Is II necessary 10 give my name
DO not wish TO give it. have given ono
The Justice said it would not do to give n nc
titiQus name. Then Mr.. Pratt bowling his head
sald: Ny name is Horace L. Z. Pratt. am q
street | went to the Park at about | o'clock
Today. ! mot This lady, on tiith avenue
Just rs We entered the Park | suggested
TIE. bridge after short walk. | remarked
aud that we had better sit down
STe% g9I several cr n,SgwJgspGrs hSd VIII me-
These | handed to the lady. We sat looking
over the papers together
Hero the speaker paused. and then resumed
Ana now. your Honor. Al l have
conduct toward tits ady~and tbs i0H say u any
l"sitatipgly-'hat the entire charge is false. l
deny il in toto"
Further your, Honor; as soon as was
arrested AID had regained my com
rosnrf ,2"k a survey OF The sur;
notiacI In, nSithcribc doiscy nor Un o U' on 9
under the canopy Of heaven could have wit
nrssrd the net which ho charges against mo
in deep recess. hidden from view by the trees
and by heavy, stone wallng.'
Just. go IiNby having read over tho statement
10 Mr.. Pratt, the reverend gentleman said:
swear t. the truth OF my statement