The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1886-01-20
SETTLED ALL r
Father Jardine, who was Involved In =
scandal, Takes his Own Life.

ST. LOUIS, January ID.
Correspondence of THE BUTTE MINER.
Rev. II. II. Jardine, the recently de-
/ posed rector OF st. Mary's Episcopal
Church at Kansas City, committed SUI
eide in this city yesterday ny tax
ing chloroform. He had been here 1or
the past ten days trying to get q re-hearlng
| of his case. For the past year he had been
| the prominent figure in an eccle slastlcai
trial that had caused no end to scandal IN
| the Episcopal Church OF this diocese.
| Something over a year ago the Kansas City
Times published an item which reflected on
the moral character OF the reverend gentle
man, and he brought a libel suit against
the PAPER, placing his damages at $oO. OoO.
This aroused the ire of the Times people,
and they at once set ABOUT an lnvestiga-
ton OF Mr.. Jardine's record. At Buffalo,
N. Y, they ascertained facts which they
claimed were very damaging to him, and
a1nong other things it was said that IN MS
youth he had served a term in the penn
Tertiary for burglary. All the Information
obtained was published, together with
charges of grossly immoral practices in
dulped in while rector of the church in Kan
sas City.
The result was that charges were preferred
against Mr.. Jardine, and an Ecclesiastical
curt appointed to try them, composed OF
Rev. b. X. Reed, of this city; DIR. Gleriow.
of Jefferson City; and Rev. J. II. Runcle, OF
st. Joseph. After a protracted trial the
charges were sustained and the verdict OF
the Court was sent to Bishop Robertson.
While the latter was celebrating an accrl-
monions wrangle sprang up over the evil
dence between Mr.. Reed. Rev. +. u. Robert,
of this city, and Mr.Jardlne. Blshop ROD
ertson sustained the verdict OF the Court,
and Mr.. Jardine was suspended from ms
church two weeks ago. He came to TINS
CITY with the expressed determination OF
securing a new trial, and while here has
been sleeping in the study OF Rev. u orge I:
Belts, rector of Trinity Church, corner OF
Franklin and Charming venues, over the
vestry of the church. Forthel last lew days,
us the prospects Of Il new trial grew fainter,
he became Respondent, and at 2 O'Clock
Yesterday morning he took a large dose OF
.hluroforn for the avowed purpose OF end
ing his life. When DR.. Belts went to his
study at 8 O'Clock yesterday morning ne
found Mr.. Jardine unconscious. Physicians
were SUR, mnned, but efforts to resuscitate
him were u%navailing, and he died at IL.
Saturday evening Jardine and his attor-
ney, Mr.. Harrison, and Father Belts had a
prolonged conference in the vestry-roo;',
during which Mr.. Harrison very decidedly
expressed the opinion thai Bishop Robert
son would not grant Jardine a rehearlngof
his case. This had some effect upon Jar
dine, and he manifested considerable feel
ing, repeatedly declaring his innocence OF
the charges for which he had been tried and
the Justice OF his demand for A new trial;
but when Father Belts and Mr.. Harrison
left about 1 o'clock yesterday morning it
was not thought that Jardine was serious
ly disturbed. When Father Belts arrived
at the church yesterday morning he OBJ
served Jardine still in bed, but did not dis
turb him, and vent on with his early
services. Later the sexton went to wake
Jardine and found him breathing heavily.
On the arrival of the doctors they adopted
vigorous measures to restore him. After
three hours continuous efforts, however,
they announced that he was dead.
The coroner was notified, and after hear
ing all obtainable testimony, a verdict OF
suicide by chloroform was rendered. The
body was prepared for burial and now lies
in the yestry room. 1t will be taken to
Kansas City for interment. The fact OF
the suicide was known to but few during
the day. and received no publicity until
the coroner reported the case tonight.
The case is likely to create a great sensa-
ton in church circles, as Mr.. Jardine is
said to have been very popular in his de
nomination.,