Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-10
THE MINISTER'S RUNAWAY WIFE.
Ambition Tempted Her and She Tempt
ed Terry

From the New York Tribune 9Th.
The excitement over the elopement Of @.
Mitchell Terry and Mrs. Clara Downs. wife OF
the pastor Of the Worthwhile Congregational
church, has not sbated The feeling against
the runaway pair is intense. Mr.. Downs Is
Frustrated by the affair. Mrs. Terry, the de-
serted wife. is also heart-broken by the treach-
cry Of her husband. In conversation with re-
porter she said: ''Yes. my husband has eloped
with that Clara Downs. Oh, IL could Only lay
my hands on her. I'd show her something the
hussy / never liked that woman. Handsome?
If she were handsome, wouldn't feel so had
about 1t, but she is not. lf'my husband returns.
l shall never live another day with him. He
came to me Wednesday afternoon and said he
was going TO the village to attend court. and
might not be back until late. He wore his best
clothes. Mr.. Downs lett home on Wednesday
morning to attend a session OF the Suffolk
County Temperance Society at Orient and his
wife drove with him as far as Jamesport. where
she took the afternoon train for New York. My
husband took the same train at Riyerhead He
had about 1900 In his possession. | got a
letter from him this morning written at Bristol
hotel, fifth avenue, New York. but postmarked
Jersey City. He confessed his crime aud said he
was happy. He told me could draw S35i that
he et in the Riverhead Savings Bank. He also
told me where to find the deeds Of the farm
which is now in my name"
She positively denied having noticed any init
macy between her husband and Mrs Downs.
They were next door neighbors. and the minis
ter and his wife boarded with them until about
year ago. Both of the minister's children
were born in Terry's house. and both families
were on friendly terms. Mr.. Downs went to
Bridgehampton yesterday to consult with his
wfes father Mr.. Hand. wealthy farmer and
local preacher OF that place His two children.
one faxen-haired. bright little boy the other
a two-year-old girl. have been adopted by Mrs.
Fletcher Squiers. sister of Mr.. Downs. He
rendered his resignation Immediately after he
learned the facts of his Wifes elopempnt. but the
parishioners met on Thursday evening. and by
unanimous vote decided not to accept it, thus
showing their esteem for the pastor and their
sympathy for him in his present trouble.
Captain Samuel r. Days. an old friend of
Terrys, said: We'll. [ knew something was
going TO happen. l told Terry when he became
trustee of that church there was trouble
ahead. There has been trouble in this church.
but who'd have thought the Deacon would run
off with the Domine's wife,"
The feeling is general that Mrs Downs, who
Is handsome blonde only twenty-siX years old
had complete control over Terry, and induced
him to run OF with her. man who &C
quainted with her when she was Miss Hand said
she was an ambitious woman. and before marry
ING Mr.. Downs was anxious to become an act
ress. There is no clew to their movements.
Terrys friends say that he would not dare
visit his brother-n-law, Captain Perry, who
eloped with his wifes sister about five years
ago. and is now living in Florida as they were
not on the best of terms Terry is ffty-siX
years Old and has been prominent In the demo-
cratic politics Of Suffolk county for the past
thirty years Pastor Downs will occupy his
pulpit on Sunday as though nothing had hap
pened.