Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-11-14
q PASTORAL pREYARIoAToR.
The Rev. Gruber Eian,es all HIS
Troubie Upon the Girl With whom
gae Wanted 10 EiOpe-Was Out OF
bHik Heau-Eie NlusLdsO and Quick.

The Rev. Gruber tsiames all His
TrOubie Upon the Girl With whom
rae Wanted 10 EIOpe-Was Out OF
hHik Head-Eie MusLGO, ssDd Quick.
Special Correspondence OF Gazette and journal
LAUREL. Nov. 6.-The one theme Of
conversation throughout the lower part of
the State is the church scandal at Her-
rinaton and Greenwood. Your corre-
spondent has interviewed the principal
members OF the Rev. Mr. Gruber's flock
also, the reverend gentleman himself.
Mr.. Gruber seemed greatly affected and
at times wept. He kept his hand rubbing
his head almost constantly as though
laboring under severe mental agony.
He pleaded that he was not himself and
that he could not have written such a
foolish letter in his right mind, as it was
utterly tool vulgar for the most Indecent
person to have penned. He says that he
began his pastoral calls at the Porter resi-
dence soon after commencing his extra
meetings at Greenwood. He received
such marked attention that he made it
his headquarters, and was finally ap-
preached by members of the board, who
advised him to desist from showing such
attention to this one family, as others
were getting Jealous. His warning friend
never mentioned Miss Porter's name. He
thought nothing wrong OF it, but re-
framed from calling 30 often. He further
says that Miss Porter made many ap-
proaches, as such girl as be claimed her
to be, would do underline circumstances.
But he paid little attention to it until the
Thursday previous to writing what he
terms the fatal and dreadful letter. He
was returning to Harrington, and was
surprised to notice Miss Porter walking
the railroad track where he had to pass.
Sine made oyeftures to him, he says. 1t
30 preyed on his mind that he could
think of nothing but her. He returned
home and tried to cast her from
his mind, but her manner so impressed
him he could not avail. Be there wrote
the letter. He positively denied that there
has been any estrangement between him.
self and wife. affirming that he loved his
family, and to think he coLld entertain
thought of deserting them for such o
wsyward girl is idealic in the extreme.
He says his futuse is uncertain, but that
the church shall pay him his salary and
he limited that Frank Porter, the post
master and brother to the girl, would bt
brought to the bar of justice for opening
and confiscatipg the letter intended fol
his sister. He positively denies that therl
had ever been any improper relations be
tween them, but this is dlsproved by tn,
tons of the letter. Mr.. Grubsr says tn,
story that he was wsyward young mar
and was run out of Anneville, Pa, is
canagd OF the first water.
The PASTORS story is sneered at by tn,
church board of directors. Your CORE
spondent interviewed Messrs. Nathan
! Barwick OF Greenwood, j. O. Morris o
Bethel, and James A. Smith of Harring
ton, the three representative members
They did not care to talk and seemed
greatly affected ovar the action Of thei
pastor. They had hard time in getting
a preacher after the death of the Rev
! ME, Thompson, and when Mr.. CRUDE
| was sent them they were pleased. Othe
, members OF tho church affirm thu
! Mr.. Gruber is fearful prevaricator ant
a that they caught him in several false
hoods when they went to Gust him. ii
denied writing any letter until confronte
with it. He then broke down an
wept bitterly, imploring mercy. Br
nothing but contempt is given him.
number of people in Greenwood sa
llisa Porter is arather frivolous girl. He
family 10 greatly distressed. Her brothe
looks as though be had jlst reooyere
: from hard spell of sickness. There a,
q many who think the guilty couple wi
a yet clone, but Miss Porter with emphasi
a says she would not speak to the scour
drel again if by no doing she could say
q him from the gallows.