Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-05-25
Alexsndria @azftte.
MONDAY EvENING NAY o 1896
RECTOR WANTS A DIVORCE

RECTOR WANTS A DIVORCE
West Chester, Pa, was shocked on
Saturday, by divorce proceedings be-
gun by Rev. G.. Heathcote Hills against
his young wife. He is rector of Holy
Trinity Episcopal Church, the most
fashionable one in town, and she is
acknowledged by everyone there to be
the prettiest woman in West Chester.
In his petition for divorce the rector
NAMES as the offender Howard Garrett,
a rosy.cheeked lad of is years who is a
cross.bearer in the church. The incl
dents leading up the establishment cul-
mination are extremely interesting.
The affair will be tried in the Chester
County Court. For months Rev. Hills
has had the sympathy of the people
there, as the actions of his wife caused
considerable comment. -Four years
ago Rev. Hills came there to take
charge of Holy Trinity from Riverton,
y. J. His pretty young wife was
greeted cordially. She entered into
church work with a will and organized
a vested choir of fifty voices, the ma
iority of the members being boys. Her
ability as an instructor was at once
evident and the choir attracted m
mense crowds to the church.
In a year, however, there were whis-
pers in which the name of Mrs. Hills
was heard. After a hard conflict she
left the choir and was succeeded by
William A. Brooke. Then Mrs. Hills
organized the Enterpe Choral Society,
composed of fashionable ladies. A
month ago. after an exciting scene, she
resigned from that position. Rector
Hills received letters from parishioners
and others telling him of certain things
concerning his wife. After consider
able hesitation, it is said, he visited
Bishop Whitaker, of Philadelphia, to
advise with him about entering suit for
divorce. There is but one cause ad-
mitted by the Episcopal priesthood as
being ground for divorce, that being in
fidelity. 1t is understood that his sub
sequent actions were according to the
advice of the bishop.
Rector Hills owns q cottage at Spring
Lake, N. j., and on Tuesday last he
took his wife and three children there.
He returned on Wednesday and wrote
to her that he had filed reasons for a
divorce. Mrs. Hills at nee communi-
Gated with her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Pierson, of New York city, and on
Thursday night they were in West Ches-
ter pleading with Rev. Hills to with
draw his plea. Friday evening Mrs.
Hills came to town and found her hus-
band at the home of William S. Windle.
There occurred an interesting scene.
Mrs. Hills talked plainly to her hus-
band. She told him she would not OBJ
ject to his having a divorce, but as she
did not mean to admit any guilt she
would fight it to the end. Then she
left him and is now at her parents home.
Young Garrett, who is named as the
offender with Mrs. Hills, is q rosy
checked, good-looking lad, who is a
favorite 10 the vested choir.
Each summer the vested choir camps
out for q week or ten days at the sea-
shore. Mrs. Hills accompanied them
one summer, and what she did was fire.
quently commented upon. She is only
about t%wepty-four years of age, is
a fine vocalist and pianist, and though
she is the mother of three children,
looks more like a young maiden than a
matron.
Rector Hills's actions in West Chester
have always been most circumspect,
and he has the sympathy of the COM
munity.
The subpoena in divorce was served
upon Mrs Hills while she was in West
Chester Saturday night.