The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-07
WHY HE EXPOSED VICE.
The Police Have an Explanation of Park
hursts Action.

The Police Have an Explanation of Park
hurst's Action.
New York, Dec. 6.-Acoording to Super
intendent of Police Byrnes, Rev. DIR. Park
hutst's deep-sested interest in exposing
vice originated in an effort he made months
q to aid the daughter of one Of his
wealthy practitioners in securing oriminat-
ing evidence against her husband that abe
might get a divorce. The superintendent
said: 1.-THE testimony Of plaintiff compre-
hended proof that her husband
maintained a woman in an evil re-
sort and a member OF the police
force won the ill will of DR.. PArkhurst by
refusing to swear to certain facts to suit
the oass. The mother of the plaintiff was
equally bitter against the stubborn police
man and failing to get revenge she and DR..
Patkhurst began q series OF prosecutions
against the house in which the In
the divorce casa was said to have lost his
martial honor, and in this reyenReful
recreation DIR. Parkhurss and his par
ishioner acquired a taste for persecution
and planned to encompass the ruin of the
police department. and city officials"
The mother of the plaintiff in the divorce
suit had a friend, a woman Of character. IN
whom she thought she could trust. and this
woman called on her in reply to a note,
which is in tho possession OF Byrnes. What
occurred at that interview was written out
by the woman who was summoned. She
was sent by the parishioner to DR.. Park
hurst, and as soon as she was able she re-
corded what was said then. This woman
appealed to DR.. Parkhurst and the mother
of the divorced girl to be willing to do their
bidding, but ii few hours after she left
them she eased her conscience by going to
Supt. Ryrnes, and has been his ally ever
since, although there are twenty letters at
police headquarters to prove that Park
hurst and his parishioner believed she was
furthering their ends. What these ends
we're is vaguely sketched by Byrnes.
II have this correspondence in my pos
session." he said, "and they show that
Parkhurst and certain members of his con-
gregation resorted to everything dishonor-
able to get evidence of any and every kind
to compromise the chief magistrate Of this
city, judges of courts. district attorney,
myself and high officials. eleven persons i'll
all. There are twenty letters emanatinR
from DR.. Parkhurst's Pensioners n each
was followed by an interview or interviews,
all of which were faithfully recorded, and
the interview, l do not suppose viii be
contradicted. The letters will show the
instructions Or. Parkh st left when he
vent to Europe, and in everything in the
way of planning to spy on and debauch
persons to whom l have alluded, up to two
or three days ago. At some later day /
will talk further on the subject. which 10 SO
interesting that l have an idea of giving it
out in sections"
The substance of Byrnes' report was tod
to Rev. ID . Parkhurst at his home. 1873 East
Thirty fifth street, tonight. He smiled at
first and then as he discussed it he grew in
dignant and used some fOrcible English
in reference 30 the superintendent and
police de- artment. DR.. Parkhurst said he
knew of the divorce case of which the sup
erintendent spoke and intimated that some
of the information secured as evidence In
that suit had been used in the
work which the society of which he is pres
ident had been carrying on. He said he
would not give the names of the parties to
the divorce, but added. Its an interesting
CASE" DR.. Parkhurst did not know who it
was who had given the letters of which
Supt. Byrnes had spoken to the police. He
was indignant that he should be charged
with insincerity in the crusade he has been
carrying On.