The Republican journal., 1888-08-02
A Sesrsnont Scandal.

There hearing before Judge Rogers in this
city, last Friday that will delight scandal mongers,
while others will regret that the matter was drag
gcd before the courts. The was, State COM
plant of George NJ. Stilphen VS.. William A. Cush
man, for adultery with compliments wife. The
parties live in Searsmont and well connected.
The complainant is the Rev. George NJ. stlphen,
pastor OF the Methodist church at the village. Mr..
stephen is 30 years of age and was settled at
Searsmont i'll the spring of 1887 and returned to
the same charge at the last conference. He has
been successful preacher and is well liked in the
neighborhood. He has been a preacher of the
gospel for four years. Mr. Stilphen married his
wife, Vesta A, at Dresden, eleven years ago and
has three small children Mrs. Stilphen is 30 years
old, frail in appearance, not unprepossessing, and
until the present scandal has borne a good reputa-
ton.
The respondent, Mr. William \. Cushman is an
unmarried man, about 81 years old. lie lives
close neighbor to the Stilphens and at times has
been member of the Methodist church. Mr..
Stilphen has been his friend and has laoored with
him in the church. Cushman has been excel
lent terms with the Stilphens and frequent visi-
tor to the house. How long this alleged improper
Intimacy has existed between Cusi,man and Mrs.
stilphen is not known, but 1t only came to the
knowledge of Mr. Stphcn this spring.
In April last MIR. Stiphcn attended the Method
list conference at Rockiand and was absent some
ten or twelve days. Before leaving home he en-
gagged Mr.. Cushman to water, feed and for
two horses he had in his stable. On returning
home the hired girl informed Mr.. stilphcn that
Cushman had been to the house late at night and
that improper relations existed between 1nshman
and his wife. The minister investigated and be
came convinced that such was the fact He re
monstrated with his wife and she promised to do
sist. Mr.. 5. also had a talk with Mr.. eastman
and forbade him the house Cushman previous to
this had painted the church c,lifce and boarded
with the Stilphcns. Once while Mr.. 5. en-
gagged in painting Cushman came to the house and
was for Il long time in the study with Mrs. Still
rhen The husband entered the house, tried the
| study door and found it locked. Subsequently he
returned and spoke wish the parties through tie
door and hard wor,l. passed. lie told Cti-llnlan
never to darken his doors again.
Once Mr.. Stilphen attempted Il reconciliation by
| the assistance OF friends. Mr.. and Mrs. Judson
Knight, Mr.. Cushman, and Mr.. and Mrs. Stlphcn
met at the parsonage and talked the matter over.
Cushman and Mrs. Stphcn both admitted that
they had been guilty of improper conduct but de
| clared that criminal intimacy existed Prom
ises were made and the matter was kent quiet.
Mrs. stilphen also n1company with Mrs. Knight.
mad an interview with Cushman and told him lie
must not come to the house
The matter did not end, however, notwti>tand-
ing the promises. After Cushman was forbidden
the house he entered upon Il correspondence with
Mrs Stphen and the two had code of signals so
that Clshman informed of the absence of Mr..
Stilphen. Mr.. $. found one of Cushmans letters
in the possession of his wife. There was no sig
nature to the letter, but the parties confessed as to
the authorship. The letter indicated that several
notes had passed between them and suggested
that the parties go away together. The writer was
sorry his love could not he returned. Cti~hlan
admonished Mrs. $. to look after the notes and
| said; "Should he get one he would catch us"
MI. Stilphen resolved To bring matters t. an
issue and laid trap to catch the parties. On the
morning of July 18th he told his wife he was going
away haying. In the meantime Mr.. w. a. Meser-
vey friend, agreed to m.tci and catch the guilty
pair. At three O'Clock in the morning Meseryey
entered the Stilhen stable and sccretcd himself on
the hay NOV under a quantity of hay. lie was in
| one corner on the scaluld. At sin O'Clock Mr..
stiphen left the house. Meservcy SAYS that short
ly after the absence Of her husband Mrs. Stphen
came into the stable and opened the roll-way door,
| opening and closing II several times. This was
| repeated Presently Cushman entered the stable
fastening the door behind him. Advancing he
met Mrs. Stiphen and said: Good morning my
dear" and kissed her. II was at this interview
that the alleged crime was committed Mescrvcy
| could not see the parties but relied upon what he
| heard.
| At the trial Mr.. and Mrs. Knight, Mr.. McScrvcv
and Rev. Mr. Stiphcn testified in substance to the
| above
| When the defence came to be heard, MI. IIaIri-
man, who conducted it, put Mrs Stphen on the
| stand. Judge Rogers Informed her that she need
| not answer any question that would eliminate
| Cushman, but when questioned by County Attor-
| ney DuntOn she declined to answer questions
which related to the stable scene. The respon
| dent, Mr.. Cushman, then went upon the stand and
| denied criminal relations, but admitted everything
else He admitted improper relations such as be-
| ing alone with her in her sleeping room, meeting
her IN the stable and kissing her, &c. He acknow
lodged writing the letter produced and said there
was code of signals used and that Mrs. Stilphen
made the signal or tile morning of ,Iuly 25th after
her husband had gone.
Judge Rogers found probable cause to hold the
prisoner and ordered him to recognize in the sum
of $1,000 for his appearance before the Grand
jury at the October term of court.
| The case is an unfortunate one am. how it will
end time will determine.