Connecticut western news., 1888-04-04
BAD FOR BROTHER HILL.
A Revivalist Arrested on 8 Charge
 of Bigamy.

Late last fall the Rev. B. Hill, Methodist clergyman, began revival work in the town of Georgia, about eight miles south of St. Albans, Vt. He was successful and aroused a great deal of religious enthusiasm. One of the most earnest of his followers was Miss Emily P. Post. The evangelist was attractive to her, and late in the year their engagement was announced. The marriage license describes the groom as Benjamin Hill, age, 45 years; occupation, minister of the Gospel; number of vt." The bride was 31 years of age, and it was her first marriage. They were married on Jan. 16 by the Rev. A. w. Ford.
 Not long after the ceremony something aroused the suspicious of one or two of the townspeople, and one of them wrote to Seattle, Washington Territory, whence Hill came, ask ing information about him. The reply was to the effect that Mr. Hill has wife and five chil- the whole town by the ears. Within few days the following facts were placed in the hands of the State Attorney for this district:
 First-A certificate of marriage setting forth that Benjamin A. Hill and Frances J. Fewings were joined in marriage on May g, 1873, at St. Nevada, by the Rev. Samuel P. Kelly; also certified copy of the record of that marriage.
 second-A certified copy of a petition ad- dressed to the District Court of the Third Ju- Benjamin A. Hill, setting forth his marriage to Frances J, Fewings, and praying for decree of divorce from her on the ground that she had abandoned him without cause for more than one year. This petition is dated June l 1, 1887, and tue affidavit attached to it is signed ''Dr. B. A. Hill"
 Third-The affidavit of Frances J. Hill set ting forth that her marriage to the Rev. Ben jamin Hill took place as reported in the certifi- cate which he handed her at the time in the presence of more than fifty people, several of whom she enumerstes; that they lived togeth- CT until about four years ago; that during this time five children were born to them, all of whom are now living, the youngest about { years old; that the divorce summons was left at her residence in Seattle about June II, 1S97 in her absence and that she has. never appeared in court to answer to the same. and as she is informed and believes, no judgment or decree has been rendered. She attaches to | her affidavit cabinet photograph of her recre- ant spouse, which is very excellent likeness. Fourth-The affidavit of James H. Payne of Seattle, who knows both the persons we'll. He says he first knew Mir. Hill eight or ten years ago, when he conducted & protracted meeting in the First Methodist Episcopal church of l Seattle, of which the affiant was a member. | He then openly proclaimed himself a married man. and introduced and treated Frances as his wife,
 Fifth-A formal certificate of w. E. Ledger wood, clerk of the District Court of the Third Judicial district of Washington Territory, that | the action of divorce was commenced June II, | 1884, and that no judgment or decree of di- yorce had ever been rendered.
 | On receipt of these documents the State At torney immediately cansed the arrest of MT. Hill on charge of bigamy, and he was held in S1 ,OOO for trial. In default of bail he was locked up in the county jail, MT: Post, the his cause, and anxious to become bail for his appearance in court. He says he knows that Hill is goodly man, and will prove himself innocent.