The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-12-14
NEWS OF CONNECTICUT.
EVENTS OF INTEREST IN FAMOUS
 PARTS OF THE STATE.

PARTS OF THE STATE.
 The Rev. Dr. Pullman Islander suit-The
 Reverend Gentleman Secures Ex-Judge
 Stoddard of This City as His Counsel-He
 will Fight the Case--Not at All Nervous
 Over the ResuIt--Interview With the
 Clergyman and Some of His Leading Pew
 Hoiders-other News of Interest.
 Bridgeport Dec. 13.--To-day for the first time the Rev. Dr. Joseph Pullman, the Methodist clergyman who was ar rested Wednesday night in $25,0O0 islander suit brought by Mile Jane Gray, consented to an interview with newspaper man, and in the interview he indicated that he is determined to fight the case. He announced that eX- Judge Henry Stoddard of New Haven has been engaged as his counsel. Dr. Pullman was closely questioned and while he talked freely on some points he displayed a tendency to refrain from disclosing anything that will mili- tate against him when the case comes to trial. The trend of the interview however, shows that the line of his defense is that which has already been inferred, namely, that in his sermon he did not specify sufficiently to warrant the institution of the suit. When ask ed if he had any misgiyings as to the outcome he placed his hands in his trousers pockets and said substantially, My mornings mail has been unusual ly heavy to-day. I have received let ters from all over New England, letters from prominent and sound men, ex- pressing sympathy, and assuring me of all necessary financial aid,'
 Tn your sermon of the 24th inst, doctor, did you mention any names?" ''No.' Did you characterize anyone as low, brilliant, swell; a Parisian cQurtezan?" I reply to this Dr. Pull man said: q guess I ought not to say anything in answer to that, inasmuch as my case is now in the hands of my counsel" T will say, however," the doctor added, '.tlat the affidavits which have been sworn out are partially un- true. My sermon was directly in line with an address in the Winsted opera house some time previous, upon the theme of Modern Civilization l shall continue my fight against evil and the question of going to jail does not enter into it at all.
 ''In my sermon I referred to play which l said was coming to Bridge port, but I afterwards learned that it had already come and gone
 Dr. Clinton w. Strange, dentist, and one of Dr. Pullman's church members, was seen at his office on West Main street this afternoon. Tn reply to ques- tions by the reporter Dr. Strange spoke practically as follows: 'I was at the church when pr. Pullman delivered the I sermon to which you refer. From what pr, Pullman said I gathered that the l play and the actor or actress to which he made reference were low and unfit for my family to see. am not familiar with theaters and theatrical people but if any were presnt when Dr. Pull man spoke on the subject, who were { familiar with theaters and theater peo- ole. they might have carried away definite impression as to the play fe- ferred to and the actress aimed at have not attended theaters for thirty ] wears, and I think that as rule the theater is a vitiating influence"
 There seems to be a dispute as to the defniteness of Dr. Pullman's re- marks, and it is more than probable that the accused clergyman will fortlfy himself behind the fact that he made mention of no names and that people are unwarranted in assuming that he meant and referred to M"le Jane May. In addition to the interview with Dr. Strange interviews were had with two other well known men, who We're at the church, for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not Dr. Pullman was at all . specific in his now famous sermon of November "A.
 James H. Kershaw, a foreman a the factory of the Read Carpet company, is an usher and tithingman at Dr. PuIlman's church. Mr Kershaw was seen this afternoon, and he said: I was of course busy attending to my duties as an usher and tithingman. Perhaps I did not hear all that Dr. Pullman said in his sermon. l myself heard nothing detrimental to the char acter of any woman, but l was con scious that Dr. Pullman was talking vigorously about some one, and when was leaving the church after the service I turned to someone( whether it was g man or woman. I cannot telD, and said, I wonder to whom pr. Pullman referred The person whom asked said, I presume he meant Miss Jane May I told my wife that l was sorry Dr. Pullman had dealt with the matter because it would be 8 great advertise ment for anyone who was concerned y pr. Pullman is stronger than ever in his congregation. We will keep him two more years anyway, and if possi- bla we will keep him another three years. I think it due to Dr. Pullman to state that he is not interested in the A. P. A. On the contrary, he is most de, cfdedly opposed to it."
 pr. N. E. Wordjn. who is on Dr. Pull mans S25, ,000 lbond, was present at the interesting portion Of Dr. Pullman's ser mon. He gave his version of the affair substantially as follows: "I went into the Methodist church after making 8 professional call. When J entered DI, Pullman was talking about some dis tinguished TsrenChman who had written a book upon America. The writer had