Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-09-01
Scandal in Montreal.

French Canadian society OF Montreal
is greatly shocked by scandal in which
a prominent priest and the wife of
leading French Canadian lawyer are in
volved. The priest is Father Guihot, a
member of the Order of ST. Sulpice, and
the woman is Nine. Either, the wife Of
Michael Either, a lawyer.
Ten years ago Father Guihot, then a
handsome young priest Of between %
and 80. went to Montreal from France
and was installed as a member Of the
Sulpician Order. He WAS soon appoint
ed chaplain of the st. James Church,
the most aristocratic in the city; only
tie old and wealthy French families
worshipping there. Its members in
clude Judges, legislators, and promin-
ent citizens. Father Guihot,s able and
eloquent discourses were revelation,
and his popularity reached the highest
pitch.
Father Guillot conducted a special
religious class for ladies, which was at
tended only by the wives and daughi ers
of tic very best people. He Was at the
head Of many religious organizations
and charities, and his endeavors for the
advancement of the church were al
ways assisted by The ladies, with whom
he was in constant connection. One OF
the most prominent members OF his
class was Mime. Either. She was a
well-known society lady, stylish and
handsome. Before marriage she was
Miss David, daughter of ex-Alderman
David, who at one time was q candi-
date for the mayoralty Of Montreal and
who was very wealthy. Nine. Either
was connected with the Society of st.
Vincent de Paul, the Society of the
Sacred Heart, the Society OF the In
fants of Mary, and Il number of fash
ionable French religious and social So
cieties.
Taking such an active part in all
church work. Nine. Either was thrown
almost daily into the society OF Father
Guihot, who was constant visitor at
her residence, and was, indeed, an in
innate friend of her husband. The lat
ter had no suspicion that anything was
wrong, and, although a free-thinker,
always encouraged his wife in her phil
anthropic work.
The denouement came few days
ago. Father Guihot late in June wen:
on holiday to France. Last week MIR.
Either saw letter addressed to his
wife in Father Guihot's handwriting.
Unsuspectingly he read it, and was
amazed at the lover-like tone assumed
bv the priest to his wife. His suspicious,
aroused, he went to his wife's desk, and
there discovered q package of several
score of letters written to Nine. Either
by Father Guihot. They proved be-
yond doubt the relations that had ex-
listed for the past seven years between
the couple.
The discovery of his wife's unfaith
fulness drove the unfortunate husband
almost out of his mind. He sought his
wife and babe her leave the house.
She went at once, and took refuge In a
convent in Montreal.
The letters which Mr. Either found were of
most discriminating character. They re-
fcrred openly to the relations between the
woman and her priest. In all of them the
fondest expressions of endcarment were used.
The French Canadians are greatly excited
over the discovery of the priests misdoings,
and so bitter is the feeling that there is little
doubt that if he ever shows his face in Mon
treal again he will be summarily dealt with.
The greatest sympathy is felt for the hus-
band. who, until the discovery was made,
was entirely unsuspicious of anything being
wrong.
The letters which the priest wrote to the
woman were of the most scaudalous nature
and mentioned several other leading French
ladies' The correspondence was illustrated
by frec-hand drawings that are understandable.
Fortunately there are no children TO share the
woman's disgrace.
The husband told some of his friends and
the story leaked out. When it became known
several prominent citizens waited upon the
directors of the Seminary of st. Sulpice and
told them that the priest had better be pre-
vented f1om returning to Montreal. 1t IS be-
lieved that he has been warned not TO return
to Montreal, and that he is now in New York
Previous to going to Montreal he was con-
nected with the Order of ST. Sulpice in Paris.
He is highly connected in France and is re-
puted to be wealthy. 1t is believed that the
priest contemplated an elopement with the
woman as one of the last letters sent by him
was from Havre. In this letter he told her
that he could not live without her, and sug
Ses:ed that she should so to New York.