Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-05-23
HOW THEY CAUGHT nER.
An Eminent Divine ReIentlessIy Per-
secuted Through the Mails.

Another remarkable study of human
life, writes a Philadelphia correspondents
ofthe New York Herald is found in the
social Arcadia of PhiladelI Ihia.
The congregation of St. Marks church,
at the corner Sixteenth and Locust
streets is one Of the most aristocratic in
the city. Many of the social dictators
OF the exclusive region west of Broad
street worship at his shrine. 1t is pre-
sided over by an eminent pastor, Rev.
Isaac Nicholson. d. D., whose probitv
and integrity are beyond all cavil. So
beloved is he by his congregation that
he recently declined the bishopric OF
Illinois.
A short time ago he began to suffer
the malignant attacks Of an unknown
assailaDt, who addressed to him and his
parishioners the most scurrilous letters.
Next postal cards were employed and
drawings ofthe most obnox Gus character
were placed upon them. The writer ap-
parently had no fear old .tection because
the script was freely and legibly scrawled
upon the cards. Letters of the most
insulting character were written Il pany
well known ladies in the congregation.
Most abusive missives were received by
the widow ofan ex president ofthe Penn
sylvania railroad. But after time the
malignity of the anonymous person con-
centrated the attack upon the Rev. Dr.
Nicholson. He quietly alaced the matter
in the hands Of the United States post
Office department, and Inspector Barrett.
ofthis city. undertook to solve the mys-
tery. 1t proved to be a long and tedious
task.
Special Collectors were put on the
routes in the ncighborhood. Every
letter was scrutinized that was taken out
of the boxes, and all suspicious ones
marked with the number of box and
hour of collection. In this way the two
boxes used for mailing the offensive let
tiers were soon located. The next step
was to have these boxes watched day
and night.
This entailed great patience and
sbrewdness, because it was imperative
that the box should be opened i'm
mediately after each letter was deposited
and the mail examined. A covering
had then 10 be placed over the contents
s slready in the box, so that the new let
tiers could be promptly secured and in
specte6. A week of this vigil fastened
suspicion upon lady of high social
standing. She was seen to deposit the
obnoxious letters and postal cards in the
box. She was followed home, and a
woman detective was sent into the family
as a servant. In few weeks the most
conclusive proofs were obtained of the
lady's conduct.
Inspector Barrett called upon the
young lady's mother and stated the
facts as far as lie could. Nothing result
ed. The letters coItinucd 20 owe, bur
dshts fhRS6i9aiGd tnThsriefg AHA rsdlltffdf
the cnnn, e,nls of the family. OOc is an
ex.iudge and the other one of The most
distinguished lawyers in the United
States. The documents of the case were
laid before these gentlemen by the In
spector. The proofs of guilt were incon-
testable. The inspector demanded that
the lady leave the city at once, or he
would swear out warrant for ner arrest.
An answer was sent within twenty-fOur
hours that the lady would go. The
scandalous letters ceased. She kept her
word. She left town, and was ore of the
bellies at several well known winter
resorts. One of the finest houses on the
street in which she lived was tor rent
Like the nursery tales, this one ends
happily. A fashionable wedding in a
neighboring city is the sequel to the
lady's departure.