New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-21
ELOPED WITH HER PASTOR.
AYoUNG GIRL SECRETLY MARRIED.
MOTT HAVEN SURPRISED AT THE ACTION OF
MINISTER WHOSE NAME HAS BEEN or

MINISTER WHOSE NAME HAS BEEN or
GossIps' TONGUES FoR SOME TIME.
The Rev. John T Hooper, pastor Of tho North
Sew.York Congregational Church IN Mott Haven
e,oud ON Friday with Miss Mary Curss nineteen years
old a daughter Of Charles CurtisS. vIee-pHncipa OF
the public school in One.hundrcd andfory sixth st,
who lives at No 500 East forty hrst-
q Mrs Curtiss Mary's mother, received a letter
from her daughter on Saturday night, dated az Union
HILL n j., announcing that she had been married
to Mr. Hooper
The elopement has created great excitement IN IN"
church parish. Mr. Hooper vas called from kingston
Y TO the pastOrate Of ST. Pauls Reformed Church,
Mott Haven, in January. 1888 lie accepted tho call
and from the first his actions created small amount
OF gossn He IS good looking aud suavc. however,
and seemed to be popular with the younger element
In his church. Within few months after assuming
charge Of st. Pauls. Hooper's wife, who Ind left
him some time previously. began proceedings against
him in California and her suit. TO which Hooper
made no defence. lie went 10 California At the time,
however, to place himself within the Jurisdiction %
the court granting tho decree. and thus prevent
himself from being debarred from again marrying
when he retlrfncd to Mott Haven, he found that COS
sips tongues had been indusriousy wsgging during
his absence and that, In consequence, his reputation
had suffered
Mrs. Curtlss with whom he boarded requested him
Mrs. Curt!ss said yesterday. un'l she actually or
dcred him out of the house In explaining her course
Yesterday, Mrs. Curtss said that she dill not thnh
Hooper's actions had been such as might have boon
expected OF q clergyman, and she did not like his
attentions 10 her daughter. After Mr.. Hooper lcf'
the house he continued 10 call on the daughter until
refused admittance by her parents. After That hr
used TO meet her in the morning and accompany her
down 10 the Normal College, In which she was a
student, returning with her In the afternoon. Tho
girl is pretty blonde and the minister tall. dark
and we'll formed Of thirty. The couple aitra"iei
attention and their clandestnc meetings s00n came 10
the ears of Miss Curtss's parents who wcr" unable
10 prevent them in December last, the gossip about
Homer had become strong that the church was
PEELED TO take cOgnizance Of H. He arraIrn"d
before the CUnSstO cLar2"s OF yln: aud ~ Other
offences He was convicted. but refused % resign A.
rpnuestrd. and the Chassis was appealed 10. As a
result OF the appeal. Hooper was suspended. lie
had in the congregation, however. large number Of
friends who believed that he was being prrScClItci
When he proposed therefore the establishment OF
independent church his following gave the appcariuC"
Of success To the project at the out set. 81 PAUL.
congregation was divided, and the trouble, in the
parish have been notorious ever since
Mrs Curtiss determined 10 take her daughter Mary
from the city and called for her by appointment Al
the college at O'Clock Friday afternoon Her dangh-
not there, and a haSiy investigation allowed
that there had been al elOpcmcn' wss natural Mr..
Curtiss suffered greatly until her suspense r.
lcvcd by her daughters letter,
4 meeting 81 the North NcV.YOrk Congregational
Church As the Hooper faction Of ST. auls called
has never taken any other action In his subsr.
qucnt 10 his suspension.