St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-15
AGAINST CHURCH LAW
Hrs. Balster Declares Herself
Free From the Breath of
Scandal.
Attending a Social Dance and
the Theatsrs Her Only
Sins.
A Murderously Disposed
Maniac at Large With a
Sledge Hammer.
Whispers Of the Winds as
They Whistled Through
the City.

W NIT Il ItgISl very HUGH that my
name should have been brought into
such nOtOriety as it was yesterday"
said Mrs. John Balster, Through sem
sational article which appeared in the
Pioneer Press, think it due to myself
as well as my family to make a state
meht concerning this affair. Misrepre-
sentation, abuse and unfounded state
ments are the basis Of the article in the
Press, and seem to have been inspired
by persons known to be unfriendly to
me, aud for what l cannot determine.
AS near as | can get down to the charges
which are made against me. they origi-
mated when l was a member OF the
choir of the Hebron church, and
consisted in going to social
dance, where l remained for
two hours only as a spectator, and
on several occasions | visited the opera
house. Ii is against the rules of cur
church, and i was taken 10 task by my
pastor for these otfenses, ii they may be
50 called. and | expressed my contriti0n
and was assured of his forgiveness.
This occurred in the spring of 1883, and
during the summer and part-of the fall
L W Eiih tdSl W NlSiA ItfdtlNtN. w Hal Nd5
my surprise, shortly after my return
home few weeks ago, TO hear that
charges were TO be preferred against
me. and that ] was 10 be expelled
from the church. Naturally enough
| was indignant and demanded
an explanation and a trial. There was
certainly nothing unreasonable in this.
and my husband coincided with me i'll
lie view / took Of the matter. There
was nothing scandalous alleged against
me-in fact, no specific charges; but a
half brother OF mine seems To be at the
bottom Of them and TO have inspired
Pastor Gamble 10 act as he did. There
has been some trouble In the church
between MIR Gamble and the congrega-
ton, growing out OF a church indebted
ness, and the matter eliminated with
the pastor Withdrawing a month ago.
and his resignation was accepted.
1t occurred 10 me as singular
that few days before he left st. Paul
received a letter stating that | had been
expelled from the church, and would be
refused letter of transfer, especially
as | was innocent of any unchrstiaa-
like conduct la any " ay, save. i'll the
visit 10 the party and
TO THE THEATER OCCASIONALLY
TO which have referred We went to
the praycr-mceting Wednesday for this
purpose, and conducted myself rs cor
rectly as possible and at no time did
raise my voice above an ordinary
conversational tone. My husband, to
whom | have been married for
fourteen years, was naturally ineensed
at the arbitrary action in my case, and
demanded, as he had right, that
should have fair and impartial hear
ing before my accusers. This was not
accorded me. | have heard 1t stated
that beer was brought into our house
aud used, but il was never by any
members of my family nor with my
consent. There was an old German who
boarded with us, and he would have
beer in his room. / had no right
10 interfere with him, but so
far as having it for personal
or family use, such thing never en-
tered my head. An attempt was made
in the Press also. 20 magnify an affair in
which took hOrsewhip from a buggy
and resented what | considered an in
suit 10 me several years ago. did not
think. nor do KNOW, that / committed
any crime in chastising with his own
whip an msolent collector who called at
my house during the absence of my
husband. The article in the Pioneer
Press was a tissue OF falschoods
from beginning to end, and the
truth has been subordinated In
desire to make sensation out Of moth
ing. | have lived in ST. Paul many
years. and am too well known by my
neighb0rS and friends TO allow such q
story rs has been circulated 10 go UNI
coutradicted. for | have always con
Quoted myself AS Christian and n good
wife. | could not sit quietly by and
have my character smirched without
raising n voice la my own behalf |
think this explanation Is due the public
and myself, for | have always moved in
good society. and have never mad any
thing brcathed against me until tins
malicious story appeared ia the columns
OF fl,.. Hinnnnr Prn.s y