The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-11-28
A STRANGE AFFAIR.
Results Of "A Church Trial Mt Dam
vilIe-A Young Lady's Confession.

DANVILLE, Ind, Nov. 25.-There has
just been concluded her a church trial
which has excited a great deal Of interest,
owing TO the peculiar features Of the case,
and the fact that it has resulted in
hung jury so to speak. leaves the guilt
of the parties still in doubt and in behalf
Of one Of them at least seems to justify
the Gains of friends that ne is innocent
Of the charges made against him.
Miss Florence Curtis is a member Of
one of the best known families of this
city, and has always been held in the
highest esteem in the church and in So
ciety. She was an earnest worker in the
church and especially among the youths
of the methodist congregation, and was
one Of the leading spirits in the Epworth
league, an organization that owed its
growth and influence mainly to her efforts.
She is about twenty-five years Of age,
and until the story Of moral depravity
came from her own lips no one ever sus-
pected her Of even a thought of wrong.
Three or four months ago she told some Of
her associates that she had been Intimate
with Harris Dickey, a member of the same
church and man Of supposed Christian
character and unquestiOned business
standing.
Miss Curtis volunteered the information,
Dickey had gone to indianapolis together
on several occasions and stopped at the
same hotel Strange as il may seem, Miss
Curtis appeared 10 take pleasure in talking
or her escapades with Dickey, and the
story went from mouth 10 mouth TIL Il
reached the ears of the officers Of the
methodist church, Of which she and Dickey
were both members
At first they could not credit the story,
and especially that Miss Curtis had herself
talked about her relations so freely. They
regarded 1t as having originated in rumOr,
and the high character that both had held
in the community and their devoted work
IN the church made the officers 10th to en-
Ter upon an investigation. Some of them.
however. began TO work upon the case
secretly and soon became convinced that
whether there was foundation for it or not,
1t could not be doubted that Miss Curtis
was the author Of the story.
The church then determined to act, and
committee was appointed TO conduct the
investigation Dickey bitterly denied that
there was any foundation for the reports
and said that he would Willingly submit 10
church inquiry. The court was organized
and Miss Curtis was regularly cited to ap-
pear. She refused to obey the summons
and she was unceremOnious.y turned out
Of the church.
Then followed a meeting Of the Epworth
LEAGUE and she was expelled from that or
ganization by a unanimous vote. Failing
10 secure the attendance OF the principa.
witness, the church committee summoned
a number Of Miss Curds's associates. 10
whom she had told the story Of her reia-
tons with Dlckey, and each related IN de-
| tail the circumstances under which the in
formation was impaired and gave dates
| and other data as near-y as II could be re-
membered No possible motive could be
| assigned for Miss Curtis's action un.ess the
story were true, for it seemed utterly a,
variance with woman's nature to ruin her
! own character by such confessions unless
| there had been some foundation in fact for
| them
Dlokey appeared before the church Of
| ncers and emphatical,y pronounced the
story false in every particular He said
| mat ne had never met Miss Curtis except
| IN his social and business intercourse with
| the citizens Of Danvil.e and had never
given the least cause for the reports that
had gained currency through her state
ments. With the most apparent earnest
| ness he denied that he had ever been
away from the pace in her company and
| insisted that the committee should ex-
| haust every effort to secure dates Of al
! .eged trips to Indianapolis that he might
demonstrate the fs.sity Of the charges
| When asked TO account for the statements
| Of Miss Curtis he said that he was as
much at a loss to do so as any other per-
son who knew them TO be untrue. The
! most charitable conclusion. he said, was
| that she was insane. Witnesses were
| called to support Dickey's statements re-
| garding his business and actions when out
Of the city and they were corroborated in
every particular.
When the trial was concluded the COM
nlittee found that II was unable to agree
upon a verdict and after much argument
/ on the different phases of the matter a
| disagreement was reported to the cOngre-
! cation. AS the case now stands Dlckey
remains in the church. but Miss Curtis has
| no church relations. the committee being
| unanimous in the sentiment that If the
| charges are true, she is unworthy Of such
a relationship, and. If false, she is no less
| nll'na be.