The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-26
THE LADY AND THE PASTOR.
How Philadelphia Beauty Prosecuted
Divine Through the Mails.

How q Philadelphia Beauty Prosecuted q
! Divine Through the Mails.
| Special to New York Herald.
| Another remarkable study of human life
| is found in the Arcadia of Philadel-
phia, The congregation of st. Marks
| Church, at the corner of Sixteenth and Locust
streets, IS one OF the most aristocratic in this
| city Many of the social dctators of the ex-
elusive region west of Broad street worship at
| its shrine. 1t is presided over by eminent
| pastor, tho Rev. Isaac Nicholson, d. d., whose
probity and integrity are beyond all eaviL So
beloved is he by his congregation that he
| recently declined the bishopric of Indiana,
! A short time ago. however. he began to
suffer the malignant attacks of
known assailant, who addressed to him and his
| Pensioners the most scurrilous letters. Next
postal cards were employed and drawings of the
most OBNOXIOUS character were placed upon
them The writer apparently had no fear of de-
lection, because the script was freely and legibly
scawled upon the cards Letters of the most in
sulting character were written TO many we'll
known ladies in the congregation. Most abus-
i've mlssives were received by the widow of an
ex president of the Pennsylvania railroad But
after time the nralignity of the anonymous
person concentrated the attack upon the Rev.
DR.. Nicholson. He quietly placed the matter in
the hands of the United States Postoffice De-
partment, and Inspector Barrett, of this city,
undertook to solve the mystery. 1t proved to be
a long and tedious task.
Special collectors were put on the routes in the
neighborhood Every letter scrutinized
that was taken out of the boxes, and all suspi-
cious marked with the number of box and
hour of collection. In this way the two boxes
used for mailing the offensive letters
located. The next step was TO have these boxes
watched day and night. This entailed great pa
thence and shrewdness, because it was imperative
that the box should he opened Immediately after
each letter was deposited and the mail exam
ined A covering had then to be placed over the
contents already in the box, so that new letters
could be promptly secured and inspected. A
week of this vigil fastened suspicion upon a lady
of high social standing She was seen to deposit
the obnoxious letters and postal cards in the box
She was followed home and woman detective
was sent into the family servant In a few
weeks the most conclusive proofs were obtained
of the ladys conduct.
Inspector Barrett called upon the young ladys
mother and stated the facts as far as he could
Nothing resulted The letters continued to
overburden the postofice. The inspector col
lected his proofs and the letters and sent for the
counselors of the family. One is an ex-judge,
and the other one Of the most distinguished law
| the case were laid before these gentlemen by the
| BILE. The inspectors demanded that the lady
| leave The city at once or he would swear out a
| warrant for her arrest An answer was sent
within twenty-fou hours that the lady would
| 60. The scandalous letters ceased. She kept
| her word She left town, and was one of the
| bellies at several well known winter resorts. One
| of the finest houses the street in which she
| lived was for rent Like the nursery tales, this
| one ends happily. A fashionable wedding in
neighboring city is the sequel to the lady's de-
| parture.