New-York tribune., 1883-12-10
THE REV. MR.. DE HART LEAVES WALDEN
liz BLAcKENs THE EYES OF HIS CHoRIsTER AND
nIAKEs HIMSELF.

uR BLACKENs THE EYES OF HIS CHoRISTER AND
MAKES THE TOWN HOT FOR HIMSELF.
NEwBURG, n. Y, Dec. S.-For some days
the lively village of Walden twelve miles back Of this
city, noted for its fierce temperance crusade not long
ago. when hotels closed, their pumps chained up
and and beast denied shelter has been greatly ag
tated the sudden departure Of kthe Rev. W. W. De
Hart rector OF 81. Andrews Episcopal Church. and the
causes that led TO It, There have been many runors
concerning the trouble the Rev. Mr.. De Hart had but
the facts appear TO be that nerered In tho domestic
affairs Of the ohoster of his church, and got into per-
sonsl alteration with the choster in which the superior
fighting qualities of the clergyman were manifested
After the true state OF affairs became known. the pug
istic divine received notice to leave the town within
fortyeght hours he woud probably undergo seyerer
bodily injury than he inflicted on bis chorister. He
stopped not the order Of going but handed In his res
nation rector and departed
The Rev. Mr. DE Hart went TO Walden about two years
ago. He Is married and is about thirty years old He
is OF Southern descent well educated and fine looking st.
Andrews Church is fine brick edlce In the centre OF
the village, and Mr. DE Hart's congregation comprised
the leading citizens Of the place He preached able ser
MONS but is said to have little pastoral work out
side OF the preaching. Ills ability was recognized and
for time he popular. His parishioners made him
presents and seemed to have thought great deal OF him.
For time, however, his popularity seems to have
been the aud the Of this appears 10 have
been his habits Whether he apprlscc Of the grow
ing feeling concerning him Is not known but II Is said
that had not the difficulty occurred which has made
him seek new home, ho would have been removed
from the rectorshp January IA. One of the best
friends the clergyman had In the pa was John Best,
the chOrister. He Is estimabe gentleman, holds an
important position in business establishment and is
hOsptable to extreme. When the minister took the
rectorshp among those who first opened their doors to
him the choster It appears that the Rev. Mr. De
Hart occupied the recOry and took his meals at the st.
Nicholas Hotel in the village. Mrs. DE Hart appears to
have been away from him much OF the time, and this
seems to given him many spare hours which hung
heavily his hands. Many Of these have been spent In
Mr. Best's house. where the minister made welcome
lie liked his cup, fond OF cards and many even
ing was spent around the whist table On these
sons the host always displayed Hberaty In the enter
tainment OF his friend the rector For months these
occasions passed pleasantly and word Of dscord
heard uttered between them; The rector came and
hosts expense At length the rectors Ill timed visits
began TO nle the good nature OF the chorser As AN
intimate friend s3d the rector presumed too much and
became annoyance TO Mr.. Best and his family. lie
came at unreasonable hours ana was IN no hurry 70 60
Snd his desire Tor drink made u queStonhDe WIN the
host whether blame would not attach TO him II the
practice not stopped
With this theory In his mind he reached tho point
where he deemed II proper to call halt came lew
evenings ago The clergyman had called early IN inc
evening, and when the mead OF the househ9iu Iefheu
about 10 o'clock the night he found the minister
the rector was told that the family Wished retire.
No TO have been paid TO the wish OF the
"A
allow them 10 retire. At the same time Mr Best urged
his family. to 20 their rooms They seemed To have
thought dlscOuTeOus leave the rector ana MI Best
WAS now In passion. and when the rector approached
him he gave him "a backhanded slap across the mouth
Mr.. Best II q short thicksot person, while the Rev Mr.
DE Hart f. large OF splendid physique, trained
college athlete and given 10 bolstng OF his ability and
proves such. lie took great interest In all athletic
sports and engaged In many ~ them. He animed the
chori-tcr against the wall and with his clrnChed list
planted blows directly between his eyes On the
fingers the hand with which hc struck ono or two
large rings, and these cut the Choistcrs nose badly
Besides this both eyes were blackencd and he was
otherwise marked and bruised.
Mr. Best does not deny striking tho rector with the
back OF his hand but claims that other blows were
struck by him The nght, Of course created Wild con-
htcruLtiOn In the house. and soon AS IL COud DO
aueted down the rector RpolOglLed and took hlH DC
parturc lie said that It all wrong ana tDat ne re-
gretted exceedingly. lie also shook hands With the
host had lust abused and Tor the time beng friend
ship was apparently restored on the second day after
ward the rector sent the Chorstcr written apology lie
begged TIE injured mau's pardon, and hoped he would be
able 10 forgive him Tor what had taken place between
them and trusted that they might meet IN the IuuIe as
gentlemen usually do.
Tho news OF the scrimmagc took wings and spread
about the town rapidly. The chorHer failed 10 put Ia
au appearance several days al S place OF burluess
and added the flood OF gossip well IA TO cnrage the
shOpmntcs OF the abused man. The clergJ man was
waited pOn told that II he did not leave the place IN
forty-cigt hours would be responsible Tor MS
personal safety. The hint TAKEN and "A few days
aftcrtAc .t occurred the Rev Mr. De Hart went away.
lie escaped being dismissed from the church by sending
Hart who had only Just returned from six weeks Visit
TO her friends at Mateawan, Dutche7s County, lelt
Walden her brother at an earlier hour on the same
day.