Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-05-22
State News.


History or the Dover Sensation.
Much has been said relative To the per
son who has been officiating as pastor Of a
church In Dover. which may or may not
prove true. Enough. however, has been
brought to light to show that he was far
from being such as we are accustomed TO
Ind in = teacher 81 the sacred truths.
We take the following account from the
PiscataQuis Observer:
1t has been our purpose to say nothing
OF the unfortunate relations OF the Bspt ist
Church In this place, In connection Wit b
Mr. Stesdmsn. who has ufiicisted ss their
pastor daring tn. past nine months. but a~
the matter has In some way got into the
public prints. and especially because the
account given In the Daily Commercial VIII
have a tendency to create a false impr.--
zion. se feel called upon t" give history
OF the whole matter as nearly as We can
gather II from those 10 position To Know
most about IL.
some time In August last, a young man
OF favorable personal appearance and good
address, came to this village and desired Ia
engage himself as Pastor OF the Bapt.,
church, which tor some time hal beeu
without one. Mr.. Bowler. the Bapti-'
state Missionary. WAS here, We believe,
aud To him at that time. or at some uthel
time before, and We cannot learn drtiulfe
Ahich. Mr. Steadmsn presented tesumoni
ais from clergymen In the Provinces where
he had lived. to his good character and
qualifications for the ministry. Further
than that Mr.. Bowler knew nothing. anc
so stated to the church society. aud thsi
If they were pleased with Mr.. Steadman
they must take hun aud try him. There
can be 40 denying She fact that the first
| sermons preached by Mr.. Siesdmsn indi
| Gated not only q great command OF Ian
guage. but deep and earnest thought upon
the subjects which he treated. And SO tn.
society engaged him.
He started for the Provinces for hi.
! household goods, and every body supposed
for his wife. The next day amer he left. :
dispatch came 10 him at the Office In Fox
croft, saying that bis wife had been throw
from = wagon In the town OF Georgetown
| aud the result would probably terminate
| fatally. No one knew where Mr. Stead
| man was, OF In what portion OF the Pro,
inces 10 telegraph or write him. 10 a few
days he returned To Dover, and for a week
or SO seemed sad. and had every appear
ance OF one recently bereaved. Very soon
however, 1t began 10 be whispered that al
was not right. There were those who be
lieved he could no, spend so much tune IL
driving and recreation. and preach sucl
nbl. .ermou- a. he did ON In. sabbath
In F.bru.rv he was married TO one o
the most Intelligent, and finest Young ladle.
In the county. Que OF our teachers, who
had for. long tim. had chary. OF III,
school in Fnxcroft. While there ver,
those who then had more than suspicion.
OF him. ye, the great majority OF the PEG
ple believed in han and believed he wa.
man of ability and honor. Las. Fast pay
he preached a sermon which was admitted
To be one Of singular ability, power 40,
sdaptablity He was By great man,
COMMUNICATED for the sermon. II -ooi
leaked out. however, that the sermon wa,
copied, II not entirely. almost wholly frou
Que OF DR.. Storr,; aud Il was soon syerre,
! that several Others had been found which
be had preached during the winter. Their
| began to arise suspicious that there va
| something wrong about the death OF BIZ
wife
! The authorities sent a telegram to the al
| thorilles OF Georgetown. who replied tina
| no such death as was represented had eve
occurred In tha, town. and no person o
| that pane was buried there When showr
! the dispatch. Mr.. Steadman SAID he Ia,
nothing TO admi, or explain; that he wa
| not then prepared to explain any thin Z
| What the mystery Was still remains one
so far a. We know or can nni odt. We q,
not know tina, there was anything whici
he could not explain II he had chosen. II,
| has left without an explanation, which o
/ course is very significant
| The church will suffer. however. unjust
". and the whole community will feel IN,
effects OF IT, The only thing which can BE-
charged against the Baptist society - tha
| they did not see hi. credentials and doc
know now II he had any. But II he ooulC
impose upon them with false certificates o
! how ne misri, nsyA' dS,rg1i, drH6"A 10 Sc,
dentials Aud il Is fair TO say, ana hustle.
TO Mr.. Stesdman also, that it 4. not sc
known OF anything be did while here ~hict
-y Wy ieneo1s upon nls '"tes' y "a
n ain n, which too ,n.,x az. g,IIrv =,
certain extent. 10 wholly cast A MAJ ava,
for. and he may have an explanation 10 th'
naaea s ano'' n.s "me ue"sn, "n'cn ma'
mai Th,r. Is .om.ihiay no, only nvster