New-York tribune., 1900-08-06
WHARTON'S ARREST
COMPLAINANT SAYS HE is A POOR
MANAGER-THE CLERGYMANS
EXPLANATION.

Ocean Grove, N. j.. Aug. (SpeciaD-The ar
rest at Ocean City on Saturday of the Rev Dr.
Henry NJ. Wharton, the we'll known evangelist
OF Baltimore who is charged with obtaining
property under false pretences, created great in
terest here, where the accused Is we'll and favor
ably known, having at various times delivered
addresses at the young peoples meetings The
arrest was made a warrant sworn out be-
fore Magistrate Borden. of Asbury Park on
complaint of Miss Clara Somers, who lives here.
She asserts that DR.. Wharton has converted
to his own use property which she turned over
to him TO be used an orphanage. the home
when established. to be Incorporated and man
aged by board Of trustees in whom the title
should be vested Miss Somers asserts that the
evangelist has taken title to the property in
his own name and has placed two mortgages
on it, which is about two miles west Of As5ury
Park. Miss Somers was seen by Tribune cor
respondent tonight.
When discovered that he had mortgaged
my property she said, Il was dumfounded.
l could not believe him guilty at first but a
search of the record convinced me that he had
deceived me. I wrote to him concerning the
matter, and he made repeated promises to
range the matter satisfactorily, but ne failed
to keep his promise. He told me when I accused
him of duplicity that the orphanage property
was safe, but that he had put it in the hands
of friend so his creditors could not get hold of
it. 1 waited nearly a year for him to straighten
the matter out, and finally was obliged to put
the case in my lawyers hands. There will be
some startling developments when the case
comes to trial in Freehold. I think DR.. Wharton
is good man morally, but he is poor manager
of funds. He is a good money getter, but does
not know how TO keep the money when he
gets it.
DR.. Wharton to-day at Ocean City entered
bonds for 81 900 for his appearance at the next
term of the Monmouth County Court, Dr. Gilbert
E, Palen, of Philadelphia becoming his bonds
man. DR.. Wharton preached morning and even
ing at the Auditorium to-day. Tonight he re-
ferred to the charges, and number Of other
clergymen and some laymen followed him.
charging malicious persecution. DR.. Wharton
this afternoon made the following statement:
On my arriveI here yesterday at the Hotel
Brighton and not at the Auditorium or any meet
ing place, as soon as had registered and received
demanding my presence at Asbury Park TO answer
The charges were that I had o5tained PROPERTY
from her under false pretenses. Two years ago
Park, made public mention of the fact that I
had in my care two orphanages one for white and
girls, located in Virginia and North Carolina. A
Clara Somers, Offering to give me certain prop
erty at Asbury Park for the purpose of opening
Should bear the name Willard Home The prop
STy S SSle d y! aTeS b 9I EoOe1I 1u al % III rs
without any condition whatever 1t was understood
that it should be used an orphanage. and it has
| been used for that purpose alone.
AS TO the mortgages, will explain them fully at
| the proper time l advised that as the prop
| erty had been put entirely in my possession had
the perfect right to raise money upon II to carry
| work. 1t became of the homes under my
care and received the best support could give 1t
has taken all that I could make by my ministry or
gather from my friends to meet the great and
pressing demands upon 1 came directly from
Louisville, KY, here, having closed series OF
meetings there last Wednesday night. l was not
| taken from any meeting here, as has been stated
AS soon as il found what was wanted friends
| here willingly and made themselves resposi-
bic for my appearance when and wherever wanted.
1 fulfilling my engagement here and expect TO
go right with my work. 1 so to Luray, Va, this
| week, where my orphanages are and where our
summer assembly is in progress.
have doubt or fear whatever of the thorough
vindication of what have done when the facts are
| brought to light, as they soon Will be.