The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-19
DIVIDED BY A CHERRY TREE.
A CALAMITY THAT BBFELL THR ANso-
MA COH0REGAT TIOEAL CHURCH.


with Mr.. Durand's Little ssw-A Trial
Before n Church Committee-Au Ansonia
Taking sides-The Golden Huie Illustrated.
ANsoNIA, Conn., June 1s.-Charles Durand,
ex-Speaker Of the Connecticut House OF Repre-
sentatives is now on trial before the members OF
the First Congregational Church OF Ansona on
al long list Of charges. among which are false-
hood and libel.
The events that led TO these charges may be
traced back TO two years ago when Mr.. Durand
and Egbert Bartlett. Treasurer OF the Ansonia
Savings Bank. had trouble about q cherry tree.
Mr.. Durand lives In q handsome mansion.
surrounded by well-kept grounds on little
hill overlooking the business portion OF the
borough Of Ansonis and the NauRatuck River.
Next south Of his house is tho First Congrega-
tonal Church. II is comfortable-looking
stone building. and at one time no member
Was more Interested in It's progress than
Mr.. Durand. He helped to build IT, and he
80 liked the manner in which II was An
ished that he had the tiles on his
house painted and patterned after those
on the church. The house next north Of
Mr.. Durand's is owned and occupied by Mr.
Bartlett. who is also member OF the ConRrega-
tlonal Church. II is not quite so imposing az
Mr.. Durand's. yet 1t is cosey. and enjoys the
same advantages OF location and outlook ~
does Mr.. Durands.
A common wooden fence divide the two
houses On Mr.. Durand's side OF the fence is a
long grape arbor, on which grow many vines.
In Mr.. Bartlett's yard. near the same fence. are
two cherry trees. The branches Of one hung
over into Mr.. Durands yard. partly shading
his grapevines. Mr.. Durand claimed that the
limbs kept the sun away from the grapes. and
prevented their ripcnng. Accordingly. he
wrote to Mr.. Bartlett. but received no reply.
Again. according to Mr. Durand. he wrote to
his neighbor on the subject. but heard nothing
from him. Then Mr.. Durand applied to the
church members for advice. They gave him
none, and he next saw the pastor. the Rev. 4. P.
Payson. That gentleman after due considera-
tion OF the nlomentous question. suggested
that Mr. Durand do nothing; he would
have grapes enough without those shaded
by his neighbor's cherry tree. But this
advice did not suit the aggrieved parishioner
and he finally cut of two limbs OF Mr.. Bartett's
cherry tree. cutting in an exact line with tho
fence. not varying an inch either way. This
act caused all the subsequent commotion. and
the "cherry-tree war" IA II has been since
termed. began to agitate all Ansonia and. be-
coming too large for this little community, It
spread over all the State. throughout which both
gentlemen are known. In Ansunia people took
sides az once. and It was not long before the
church began TO divide on the matter. For a
long time nothing was discussed but the cherry
tree question.
All this time Mr. Bartlett remained very quiet.
thrown over into his yard ne said nothing, hut
anietlY collected them and caused TO be painted
two signs worded. "A neighhorly act" and
The golden rule illustrated" He placed a
sie1 over each limb, who're they could te easily
read from the street. They remained there the
following Sunday. and "a the fellow church
members OF the two neighbors passed on their
way 10 the church the signs excited much com
ment. The result was that committee
OF the church were empowered to examine into
bors and brethren. The Committee found, and
90 reported. that each was 10 blame. and had
the church. Early in April. 1878 the church
met. accepted the report and ordered II en-
rand fought hard against ST this acton. so far % as
II affected himself. but without avail. Being
fused longer to attend the church, and for more
than "A year they attended the Birmingham
Congregational church. The weekly papers
occasion 70 notice the " cherry tree war" Fre-
Quenuy Mr. Durand would go into print and
other church member. would reply 10 alleged
asprrsions against the church and Mr. Durand
hr. Bartlett always remained impassive. nor
had he anything to say 70 the public. one way
April. 1878 to within two months ago. the trou-
b." WIS more or less before the public and the
church.
Il,-t month the discussion eliminated in an
other church meeting. and an effort was made
l. have the church records so amended that no
e"nsure should apnear recorded against Mr.
DurHnds nume The meeting voted almost
unanimously 10 have nothing 10 do with the
matter. and 20 allow the records to remain
mont of the whole matter In one Of the county
papers. The result was that charges were made
against him and last Monday evening his trial
b-gap. The charges cover many pages OF legal
cap, and Mr.. DurAnd. among other things. Is
arraigued To answer for not attend ng his own
churcn for more than n year: for publishing
srtudRlous articles renecting on the church
prudential committee and Pastor PAyson; and
hnaiy tor libel and falsrhood. Each charge Is
accompanied 10y many specifications. and Mt the
tlrst session Of the hearing the first charge was
barely half finished iefore the hour for ad-
tournament arrived. II Ia likely that the trial
will hast for we'ks. and during the time all
Ansonia. Birmingham. Drrhy. and the region
around Will be- more or less Interested.
Poi iti-s Is made a feature OF the difficulty
Nr Durani and Mr.. Bartlett were at one time
strong R.publicans. Mr.. DurAnd first became
Liberm Repuncnn and finally an out-and-
ont Dan orrat. running unsuccessfully for
IA"uinnnnt-Gnvrrnor on ths ticket with ex.
Gov. Richard ID. Hubbard. His friends say that
hostility O' Mr. Bartlett amt the majority Of his
Cuugreg iion u Church. II II also claimed that
the R"v. Mr.. PHyson n hostile to Mr. Durand
because tho latter strongly opposed his being
caei 10 tho phstorat. OF the church.
TINS spring. Ms soon IA the cherry tree that
caused the trouble began 70 sprout over the
fence again. Mr. Durand promptly cut thr
shoots on, ns he had previously the limhe. and
threw them over into his nrighbOrs yard. Mr..
Bartlett said not n word. but calmly gathered
them up. and now they hang over his desk In
the savings bank. where he is treasurer. sur
mounted hy an inscription similar 10 those
he placed over the limits that were cut from tho
same tree two years ago.