Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-21
ROTTEN RHODE ISLAND.
Mixed Domestic Relations in the Best
Society of Providence.

been known in the annals of Providence
Here are two families, moving in the best
society, the head Of one the leading cler-
gyman in the city, the head Of the other
prominent business man, deeply interested
in religious work and yet, if the charges
made are true, each of these has invaded
the domestic circle OF the other under the
cloak Of friendship.
The evidence TO be presented in Mrs.
Goodell's suit will be practically the same
as that given in the Foster case. The wit
nesses will be the same, and it is feared by
even the steadfast friends Of the accused
minister, that the result, as far as his
character is concerned, will also be the
same.
The case of Foster vs.. Foster is held for
advisement pending the hearing of GoOdell
VS.. Goodell.
Meanwhile shocked community is lit
orally holding its breath. For six years
Rev. Charles l.. Goodeli has held position
in the estimation of Providence-not to say
New England-peOple second to no other
young minister in the city. Of magniti-
cent physique and handsome countenance,
his character appeared to be OF that type of
energetic, robust honesty which charms
young and old alike.
Theodore W. Foster, rich, of high social
standing, senior partner in one of the larg-
est iewclry firms in the State, with
charming wife and five children, has occu-
pied an enviable position in business, social
and religious circles.
In response TO the demand of the local
Metbodists Rev. Mr.. GoOdell was retained
in this city by the New England Confer
ence after his first three years of service,
being only transferred TO another church.
1t was here at his second pastOrate, that
the relations-the proper ones, at least
sprang up between the families of GoOdell
and Foster.
At the meeting of the Conference last
spring Mr.. Goodell was continued in this
city, and transferred TO perhaps the most
prosperous Methodist society i'll the State,
and to a pulpit vacated by the Rev. j.
Benson Hamilton, now in Brooklyn.
The Fosters followed their beloved pas
tor in his third term of service, leaving
their old church to occupy pew under
Mr.. Goodell's ministratiOn.
Mr. Foster has said that he had learned
to love Goodell like brother, and, ac-
cOrding to the evidence submitted to sub
stantiate the present divorce petitions,
Mrs Foster loved Mr.. GOOdell rs well,
while Mrs. GOOdell and Mr.. Foster be-
came equally lovable.
In fact the petitions declare that the
affections of the two families became four
cOrnered.
There began to be queer rumOrs about
town-a minister and a woman were in
volved, it was said. 1t did not much mat
ter about the woman, but the gossips hun
gered for the revelation of the minister :
name in connection with the affair.
When the name was made public the
gOsSips were convcntionally shocked. If it
had been any other minister than Mr..
Goodell-but he, that strong. manly,
frank, young man-why, how could he
possess anything but the striCtcSt integrity
and unassailable virtue?
How did ii come out?
Why, one day Mr. Foster told his story
TO the newspapers
MY WIFE said he, "bcgan 10 act
queerly. She seemed disturbed, and said
| that she had q. confession to make. With
amazement he heard her story. She told me
that she had been uniaithlul TO her mar
riaae VOWS, giving the name of DR.. Good
ell, my pastor and my bosom friend,
as her paramOUr. was thunderstruck
took her face in my two hands and begged
| her TO say no more then. 'MaIy, said /,
let me think-let me think over it, From
that hour she ceased to he my trusted wife
and companion. She besOught me piteOus-
ly to condone her sin, but | told her that
hencefOrth she might occupy our residence,
but we must be rs strangers"
The statement was made September >.
The report was thunderbolt in the city
On the following day the divorce petitions
were iiled-TheOdore Foster praying TO he
separated from his wife, accusing her of
infidelity with the Rev. GOOdell; Louella
Goodell praying TO be separated from her
husband on the ground of his intimacy
with Mrs. Poster. The two petitioners
pooled their issues and placed them in the
hands of well-known counsellor. The
respondents combined and employed bu;
one legal adviser.
In the hearing OF the first petition, FOs-
ter VS.. Foster, on Wednesday Last, Mrs
Foster took no part, but by silence ac-
quiesced in the confession on which was
based her husbands testimony. 1t is
understood that she will not appear in the
GColell case on Monday, and the reverend
defendant will be left TO fight his battle
alone
His defense, it is understood, will con-
sist of an effort TO prove Mrs. Foster :
hysterical insanity and liability 10 magni-
fy events and make morbid statements
The boy Platt who testities more specific
ally in the Foster case, will be aSsailed as
half witted lad, which be actually seems
to he
And then Mrs. GO0dell's character will
be asSliled by the rcverned husband, and
one Witness had been summoned for the
express purpose Of teStifying that she was
at a road house on a certain night under
suspicious circumstances, and an endeavor
will be made 10 prove undue intimacy be
tween the plaintiff and Mr.. Foster
But, a. has been said, evidence of Mrs
GOOdell's unchastity is not evidence of Mr.
Goodell's purity.
Her attorney told the press representa-
tive to-day that he felt absolutely certain
that the evidence of his witnesses against
Mr. GOOdell could not be shaken.
The evidence submitted last Wednes-
day was too vile to report, and it may be
judged that it was terribly strong and
startling exact in its nature.
Will i; he shaEenE
For the good of the whole community, if
not for the good OF the parties directly in
yolved, it is to be hoped that it will he.
The charges and cross charges in these
petitions would I'LL columns OF space.
They are many, and are exact as 10 date
and details, and there is every reason to
fear that they are all true.
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