New-York tribune., 1885-10-20
TESTIMONY OF THE REV ". ". DOWNS.
HIS EXPLANATION OF TIE CAUSE OF The TADER
MOO

HIS EXPLANATION OF TIE CAUSE OF THE TADEl
DIVORCE SUIT.
BosroN, Oct. II (SpeeiGD.-The scandal about the
Rev W. ". Lawns. pastor Of the Bowdoin Baptist
Church and Mrs Annie >. Taber, was revived to-day
by the appearance of Mr. Downs in court rs witness
in the suit for divorce brought by Mr. Tabcr There
has been trouble in the church for a long time, one
faction siding with Mr. Downs and the other endeavor-
ing to oust him Among the discontented members
was F. J. Taber. who according 10 all accounts, has
been morbidly jealous of his wife for years. Mr.
Downs has defended Mrs 1aber and they have been
on friendly terms. Mr. Taber suspected tha, his wife
and Mr. Downs were unduy familiar. On the evening
Of August Il Mr.. Downs went to Mrs. Tabcrs lodg-
ings small side seventeen by ten feet IN a
boarding house in Derne-st. The conversation was
rudely interrupted by three fellows, one OF them a
detective and one Mrs. 1aber's husband who burst
the door open with large dumbbeL On the WITNESS
stand to-day Mr.. Downs said
II he room was very hot. We discussing Mrs.
Taher's proposed Journey. Mis-. Iaber sitting on
the edge OF the bed hetv cen my self ard The door On
account of heat suggested that the gas he turned
down. There little cloth hanging on the hcy OF
the door | have recollection of having removed
my shoes. They were on. My waistcoat was on, but
was unbuttoned. Mrs. laber sitting on the edge
of the bed between myself ln1 the door. had been
there three quarters Ot hour when the crash came
| think the window was open. The blinds were
closed Mrs. IGber sprang to her feet with a scream
She was dressed in a sack and o advs white outside
skirt should call it dress. She had hci shoes on
was of course, confused MOI knowing what II meant
| think Mrs. Taber turned up the gas. lad no
struggle with anybody Oh the bed
Mr. Downs related instances when he had called on
Mrs Iaber before about her visits 10 bis study Tor
spiritual advice. On occasion he went TO
Worcester with her and remained couple OF days al
Mrs Tabers sisters house and at her mothers home
He also went alone with her to Lake Qun.igalnnnd
and dined hotel, the name ot Hhlch he could not
recall The door of Ars. iaber's room was never
locked while he was present 10 his knowledge. Ar
Downs knew that his frtndlnoss TO Mrs Iaber Wa, "a
prolific theme for the gpssips. lie denied that MI
aber ever saw him kiss his wIic. He called On her IN
1888 when she was sick. She SAID that certain
persons had mace trouble by wri ing letters TO Alr
'rahrr about the witness. At that time Dir. Iaber
began a yndictiNe course toward her. thre lenns to
kill her and charging the witness with all sertr Of
Irregularities Onc time when the witness called she
had been weeping and she rushed and throw herself
upon hIa lie entered b. room. Sho was hyStcricAl
and said that Mr.. Tabcr had talked TO her out
rageously While they we're sitting there Mr.. lahcT
came ill., He talked pleasantly. Mrs Ia0tr had Lot
set herself upon the witnc,s,s knee,
The sexton testified that Mrs. Iaber had been in the
habit OF visiting the pastor study often five "r X
times week and that she usually gave peculiar pn
at the door gong. Mrs. Jackson who Kept tie iod2mG
house in Derne-S where Mrs. iahcr rooned, testified
that the latter represented that her geueamn friend
who called was her brother. The only call was Mr..
Downs and on one occasion Mrs. 1abcr asked after
Mr. Downs had left: What do YOU think Of my
brother p Mr. Downs came once or twice a week.
and usually remained hall an hour and sometimes
more than an hour. The detective who made the
attack on the door testified that when the door w'7
bHrst open Mr. Downs and Mrs. Iahcr were lNihg
dagonally on the he'd. Mr. Downs ! al or only his
trousers and shirt and did not have on his Shoe NrS
Taber had Oh "A wrapper Mr. laber took hold If MI.
Downs as lac lay on the bed and the latter got mp.
lie wanted to dress himself hut not permitted q
DO until officers from the police station arrived
They lett the room long enough e. permit Mrs lai er
dress. and then she and Mr.. Downs ~"r" taken 10
the police station Mr.. Downs told the detective
that Mr. Tnhrr had trouble With her husband and be
went there 10 console her