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

''Hhile l regret very much that my
name should have been brought into
such n0toriety as it was yesterday"
said Mrs. John Balster, Through a SEN
sational article which appeared in the
Pioneer Press, think it due to myself
as well as my family to make state
ment concerning this affair. Misrepre-
sentatlOn, 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. and for what / cannot determine.
AS near as [ can get down to the charges
which are made against me. they origi-
mated when | was a member of the
choir of the Hebron church, and
consisted in going to social
dance, where | remained for
two hours only as spectator, and
on several occasions | visited the opera
house. 1t is against the rules of our
church, and l was taken to task by my
pastor for these OtfenSes, Ii they may he
so called, and | expressed my c0ntrition
and was assured of his forgiveness.
This occurred in the spring OF 1855, and
during the summer and part of the fall
] went east to visit relatives. What was
my surprise, shortly after my return
home a few weeks ago, to hear that
charges were 10 be preferred against
me. and that / was to be expelled
from the church. Naturally enough
| was indignant and demanded
an explanation and trial. There was
certainly nothing unreasonable in this,
and my husband conceded with me in
he view | took of the matter. There
was nothing scandaIOus alleged against
me-in fact, no specific charges; but a
half brother Of mine seems 10 be at the
bottom Of them and TO have inspired
Pastor Gamble to act as he did. There
has been some trouble in the church
between Mr.. Gamble and the congrega-
ton, growing out of church indebted
ness, and tue matter eliminated with
the pastor Withdrawing month ago.
and his resignation was accepted.
1t occurred 10 me as singular
that few days before he left st. Paul
received letter stating that had been
expelled from the church, and would he
refused letter OF transfer especially
as / was innocent Of any unchristiaa-
like conduct ia any " ay, save. in the
visit to the party and
TO THE THEATEE OCCASIONALLY,
to which | have referred. We went to
the prayer-meeting "Wednesday for this
purpose. and conducted myself as 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 incensed
al the arbitrary action in my case, and
demanded, as he had right. that
ghnttld hat-p "a Tnir nd inn ~ Il hf.u,.
ing before my accusers. This was not
accorded me | have heard il stated
that beer was brought into our house
and used, but it 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
TO 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, to magnify an affair in
which | took horsewhip from a buggy
and resented what | considered an in
suit TO me several years ago. | did not
think nor do know. that committed
any crime in chastising with his own
whip AN inSolcnt collector who called at
my house during the absence OF my
husband. The article in the Pioneer
Press was tissue of falsehoods
from beginning to end, and the
truth has been subordinated in
desire to make sensation out % moth
ing. / hate lived in st. Paul many
years, and am too well known by my
neighbors and friends to allow such a
story as has been circulated 10 go UNI
contradicted, for | have always con
Quoted myself as Christian and good
wife. | could not sit quietly by and
have my character smirchcd without
raising voice in my own behalf. /
think this explanation is due the public
and myself, tor | have always moved IN
good society. and have never had any
thing brcathed against me until this
malicious story appeared in the columns
OF the Pioneer Press"