New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-15
NEWS FROM THE SUBURBS.
SUING TWO WOMEN FOR $25, 1000 DAMAGES
THE REV. MR.. DECKER AGAINST TIE WIDOW AND
n.I.rm1En OF CnNGRLssMAN RERnnN.

the REV. MR.. DECKER AGAINST TIE WIDOW AND
DAUGHTER or CONGRESSMAN FfRDoN.
The Presbyterian Church and parsonage at Blau.
MELVILLE \. Y, including the valuable library and
manuscripts of the lev. Mr. Decker, were destroyed
by ire in December, 1852. ] he fact that Theodore
Ferdon, sou of Congressman John w. Fordon. was
charged with Icing the mccDdiary, caused at the
time "A widespread discussion. In the following
month the ROckland County Grand jury reviewed
the case and failed to ndict young Ferdon the evil
dcnce, which was Principally that of colored men,
being conflicting. A few weeks later john " On
dcrdonk's independent Adreriiser, the paper which
recently caused the hOTsewhipping affair published
n communication" supporting 10 be signed by
number OF the col0red witnesses, charging Mr..
Decker with terrorizing them and shaping their
testimony TO suit his purposes. The negroes also
claimed that the mdwinter journey impaired their
health and entailed expense and trouble All of
which Mr.. Decker not only Indignantly denied but
cased Mr.Onderdonks indictment for libel. Sudden
y these proceedings stopped, and now the case
is revived by Mr.. DeckeTs lnstltntng suit for
$4,000 damages against Mrs. Ferdon and her
daughter Mrs. Gllies on the ground that they were
the authors of the llbellous article.
The testimony is now being taken before Com
f. Sawyeris Mr.. Decker's counsel, and Judge Strong
conducts the defence. The case Will soon be tired
IN Jersey City before Judge Hoffman. Mr.. Onder-
donk has identified the original copy sent for pub
cation, aud several witnesses swear that 1t Is In
Mrs FrrdOn's handwriting. Some Of the colOred
men testify that they signed the article in the
kitchen OF the ferdon mansion ut Sparkll whlle
others positively that they have no recollec-
ton of the affair This evidence of defective
memory is not reshed by the prosecution.
Mrs Ferdon is wealthy and oyill undoubtedly
fight to the end. 1t is generally believed
that the worriment caused by the serious charges
against his son FASTENED the death Of Mr. Ferdon.
who made strenuous efforts to shield his boy from
disgrace. Mr. Decker was young Theodore's tutor
and shortly before the fire tho former severely rep
rimanded his pupil
A few nights later the conhagration occurred and
at the cOrOner's inquest OF the testimony was
exceedingly damaging to tho boy, while other cyl
dence in rebuttal was equally positive. The fire
was discovered at midnight An hour earlier a
railroad Waterman saw two boys going along
the Northern Railroad track from
Sparkin to Blauveltvile. He threw his
lantern light upon them. Although n stranger he
unhesitatingly pointed out young Ferdon's picture
as photograph of one of the boys that he saw
when shown dozen photographs at the inquest.
The inmates of the FeIdon house asserted then and
do still that Theodore was IN bed when the hire
broke out, and that he did not leave home that
evening. A caller also testified to the boys
presence at home. .
me Rev William c. Sttt, of Piermont, Mrs.
Ferdons pastor has testified that the article sent
TO The Independent Advertiser is IN Mrs ferdons
handwriting. The il 30 complicated and 80
many we'll known people are concerned that great
interest I'm the proceedings is shown throughout
Rockland County Mr. Decker says that he seeks
legal yindication rather than money.