The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-10
thinks There's NO HE'LL
So One of ChicaaO's Clergymen Elopes
with a NeighbOr'S Wife.
REV. Mr.. HANEY VERY ACTIVE
He Advances Peculiar Ideas from the Pul.
pit-Compliments the Women Of the
Congregation. and Finally Disap.
pears with Mrs. Brandt.
By the United Press,

By the United Press.
Chicago, ILL.,, Dec. 9.-The unexpected |
departure from the city of one or the
most prominent clergymen has caused
a ripple of excitement in one or
Chicago's exclusive suburbs. The Rev.
Conrad Haney, pastor of the Lake Ave-
nue. Evangelical church. situated In the
most exclusive part of Hyde Park, fled
the city Friday night, accompanied by
Mrs. George w. Brandt, wife of the
manager Of the Chicago branch of a
baking powder company. Haney was
one of the most prominent clergymen
in the city, and only a few weeks ago
preached in Central church as candi-
date for the vacant pulpit of Professor
David Swing. His infatuation for Mrs.
Brandt, who is a beautiful woman and
a member of the best society in Hyde
Park, had been known for some time.
Mr.. Brandt had noticed a growing
liking on the part of his wife for the
preacher, and yesterday when his wife
left the house he had her followed. She
met Haney evidently by appointment,
and the two went to the Sherman House
together Mr. Brandt being notified,
he proceeded to the hotel, and upon
making his appearance in the room
where the clergyman and the woman
were together found them in decid-
edly compromising position.
Wanted to Shoot at First.
So great was his wrath that he at
first wanted to shoot the destroyer of
the happiness of his home but he was
dissuaded, and compromised by giving
the preacher twelve hours in which to
leave the city. Haney promised to quit
Chicago at once, and kept his word, but,
to the great surprise of those interested
in the affair, he did not go alone. His
companion was Mrs, Brandt, and so far
there is no clew whatever as to their
whereabouts.
Before leaving Haney wrote letter
to George A. Otis, one of the trustees of
his church, placing his resignation in
his hands, and confessing that he had
deeply sinned against God and man. He
thought under the circumstances, he
could do nothing else that tender his
resignation, and ask for the prayers of
his congregation. He also wrote a let
ter to his wife, who with four children
is left absolutely penniless, in which he
craved her forgiveness for having de-
ceived her
Haney's home is at the corner of
Forty-fifth street and Lake avenue, and
is handsomely furnished but his family
has absolutely nothing to live upon.
Tho Brandts live in Forty-sixth street,
near Drexel boulevard, not far from the
40 tEvo fn mi
on the most intimate terms. No one
suspected until recently that Mrs.
Brandt and the preacher loved each
other, as the woman's character had
been above reproach. While Mrs.
Brandt is considered beautiful woman
by many, Haney is not by any means
a good looking man, but is quite a pull
pit orator. Some of his views are rather
advanced, as he recently preached a
sermon in which he put forward the
proposition that there was no hell
Haney's church, at the corner of Lake
avenue and Forty-fifth street, has
grown rapidly Of late, through his ef-
forts. He was formerly a Methodist
but in the fall of 1890 he withdrew and
came to Chicago to organize liberal
church. He found no lack of hearers
and the outgrowth of the movement is
the now firmly established church, oveI
which he presided. The. spirit of the
congregation and it's leader is made
plain in the following motto which Is
to be found at the head of all their pub
lications: mo creed but Gods word
No rules but mans conscience. NJ
mission but to help humanity" TIL,
modest chapel of the society was Ions
ago outgrown and has been repeatedly
enlarged.
Ilaney's Career.
Haney is native of Illinois. He wal
born in NJ mt Morris in 1866, and, will
the exec on of two years spent in tn,
South, always lived in the state
He W bred a Methodist. Both hi
father and his grandfather were Meth
odist preacher, as well as several of hi
relatives, and he naturally drifted int
the ministry of that church.
After completing a course at the pub
lie schools Haney entered Northwestern
university, where he was graduated Il
the class of '7S. He was immediatel
received into the ministry, and not lon
after accepted a call to go to a pastor
ate in Sherman, Tex. He remaine
there two years, and then returned t
Illinois and served churches in Eureka
Normal and Kankakee.
The fugitive preacher took every do
lar he could lay his hands upon, but
is not thought he had much with hin
The theory is advanced by his friend
that he will endeavor to induce his viii
to secure a divorce that he may MARI
Mrs. Brandt. Mr.. Brandt will apply fC
q divorce at once
Although Haney was somewhat FIRE
with women nothing was ever though
of it, as he was rarely offensive in h
manners. He took dinner with frien
Thursday, and on leaving patted II
friends wifes cheek and said in his pa
toral way, my dear, how sweet yo
look" and now that friend is sorry
did not kick the Rev, Haney out of Il
housp