Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-25
OCEAN GROVE EXCITED.
Rev. nr. Ballard Again wstss Up His Quiet
Neighbors


An Asbury PArk special 10 the New York
World says Rev. A. T. Ballard, the vice prssi-
dent OF the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Assoc
citation, has got himself into peck Of trouble
because OF an alleged attempt 10 kidnap bis
twc-and-s half yesr-old child on Wednesday
night
The domestic relations between Mr.. Ballard
and his wife have been anything but pleasant
for several months past. They lived with MT.
BILLIARDS. son Prank on Broadway in oceaa
Grove. But domestic felicity was . stranger
in the household Finally Mrs. Ballard left
her husband and rented q cottage on Main
avenue This vas in the latter part Of June
When Mr.. Ballard learned OF his ~ife's sction
be was incensed and Of first refused 20 live with
Der. Finally be was pscihed and went 10 the
house rented BY bis wife
HE was not however, in 9 very happy mood,
ana SINCE that time. 80 h. alleged, he has re-
fused TO converse st any length with his wife,
| asked him.
Matters ran along in this way and 70 was
common report that Mr.. aud Mrs ballard we're
NOT iNlng his Of domestic happiness. They
nsNe one obid' uttle glri about two years and
hall old, which the parents idolize
On Wednesday night. while Mrs ballard vs.
preparing supper, her husband entered the
house and shortly sfterwArd left taking the
child With him. Mrs Ballard did not see him
come IN. Locking around AfterwRrd and fnd-
ing that her little daughter was nowhere about
she became alarmed. She vas told by neigh
bors that Mr.. Ballard had been seen a lev
minutes before carrying the child in his arms
and making haste toward the residence Of bis
son on Broadway.
When Mrs. Ballard heard this she was alarmed
and started After her husband. She found him
near broadway with the child IN bis arms.
Mhen she questioned him g. 20 what he was
dong he said be was simply taking the child
out tor an airing. This story didn't seem to
satisfy Mrs. Ballard. IL is believed by all who
are acquainted with the circumstances Of the
case that t was Mr.. Ballards intention 20 take
the child 10 his sons house. keep IL there over
hisht and the next morning take it 10 Philadel-
phla ana give it into the care OF his daug hter.
| Mr.. and Mrs. Ballard returned 20 the hou.s
| together after the husbands supposed ipten-
lions had been frustrated Mr.. ballard then
upbraided his wife. he said he hated her and
| USED other language that shocked the feelings
| OF neighbors who overheard the conyersation-
In the meantime Mr. Ballard called for Mrs
Gardner, who occupies house directly oppo-
| site the Ballard cottage. Mrs. Gardiner came
| over ana was witness 60 all that Was said
| Matters were quieted down a little In an
hour or two the neighbors visited Mrs. Ballard
and comforted her. When they left the house
peace had been partially restored.
Early yesterday Mr.. Ballard bid his wife
goodbye, saying that he going TO Pittnsn
|
of the annual camp meeting there. which takes
| place the last day in July. MIR. Ballard In the
president Of the association which controls
! these meetings.
A Bord reporter found Mrs Ballard al her
| home on Main avenue. She was surprised %
learn that the story had gained much pub
Aclty She was very uneasy, and, being frail
| woman. II was easy TO that her nervous sys-
| tenn haa received a severe shock. She refused
TO say much regarding the unfortunate affair.
4 believed al first, she said, ''thai my hus-
band 9 intentions were TO abduct the child.
then screamed for Mrs Gardner, wto came
over TO the cottage"
She admitted that her relations with her hus-
band were not altogether amicable, but wa
| hopeful that a reconciliation would be effected.
DIR. Ballard returned home IN the evening Be
denied that he had attempted to sbduct the
child. he claimed that he only took IL out ior
! walk. He said that his wife was subject tc
hts OF mental alteration, and It was while ir
this condition that she thought he was trying
70 abduct the child.