The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-10-04
A Church Choir Scandal.

[Specal to THE HERALD-Examiner Dispatch
New YORK, Oct. 3.-Miss Minnie Gitto,
pretty brunette eighteen years old, and
daughter of Joseph Gitto, well-to1do
tailor of Oyster Bay, got warrant from
Justice Chip of that place last Saturday
for the arrest of Thomas S. Cheshire.
Cheshire has a business in Brooklyn, and
is said to have considerable money of his
own. Miss Gitto is a member of Christ's
Episcopal church and of the Sunday
school Cheshire sang in the choir. About
the middle of last week Miss Gitto con-
fessed to her parents that she was in
trouble. Gitto saw Cheshire next day.
He tried to prevail upon the latter to save
his daughters honor by marrying her.
Cheshire positively refused to do so. Mr..
Gitto, however, made him promise to call
at his house that evening on his return
from Brooklyn. Upon entering Mr.. Gitto's
house that evening, Cheshire found
small party assembled in the
parlor: Among them We're the Key.
Mr.. Washburn, of Christ's church,
DIR. Frye, Justice Chip, several members
of the choir and prominent members of the
church. They all took turns entreating
Cheshire to save Miss Gitto's reputation
by marrying her. Rev. Mr.. Washburn and
Justice Chip were each ready to officiate.
With tears and prayers Miss Gitto be
sought Kim not to abandon her in her trou
BILE. There were few dry eyes in the room
and Cheshire was visibly affected, but he
still refused Finally, it is said, he arose
from his seat and taking Miss Gitto by the
hand, led her to the center of the room,
where a large family Bible lay on table
Placing her hand on the Bible, he
asked her to swear that she had
never been intimate with any one else
except himself. 1t is said that Miss Gitto
hesitated and then refused to swear. The
next instant she sWooned away in her
mothers arms. Several of the ladies in
the room are said to have tainted also.
Cheshire left the house during the excite
ment. He was arrested on Saturday morn
log, Immediately after the warrant was
issued.
At the trial before Justice Chip, Miss
Gitto had the sympathy of the crowded
court room. She sat in one corner,
her veil it was seen that her eyes
were red with weeping. She broke down
several times while giving her testimony.
The most trying ordeal was when the de-
Tense accused her of being intimate with
other members of the choir. Frank Price
and another young man, both members of
the choir, were named When Miss Gitto
true, those present could hardly believe
they heard Alright. Still their sympathies
We're with the girl Justice Chip decided
that Cheshire must pay the costs of court
and give bonds to support the child. Ches-
hire had hardly complied with the order of
the court when he was rearrested, this
time accused of completely in malpractice.
In her complaint Miss GittO alleges that
Cheshire bought medicine for her and
directed her how to use it. Cheshire was
arraigned again before Justice Chip. Upon
the advice of his counsel he waived ex-
animation, and he was committed to the
Queens county jail TO await the action of
the grand jury.
The scandal has had the effect of almost
breaking up the choir of Christ's church.
Not half of the members of the choir ap
peared on Sunday. A majority of them
say that unless the members whose names
are connected with the scandal resign, they
will not remain.