Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-31
DEACON TRACY
Once Again Start|es the Town
of SmithfeId, Me.
After Having Returned and Repented
OF tlopement With Miss Hartford
he mysterIously Disappears. But Alone. Hi.
Wife Gives Him Up.

Skowhcgan, Me, Dec, 3o-(SpeciaD.
The deacon went astray, not once,
but twice and Mrs. Edwin c. Tracy Of
Smithfield, is again left alone and does
not expect her husband to return home
Tracy left home. taking French leave.
Friday night, and has not been heard
from since. Saturday afternoon. Mrs.
Tracy was in Skowhegan and stated
that this time she thought she had
seen the last OF her beloved spouse.
10 commence at the beginning we
must so back one year. We find Tracy
the deaSon and pillar of the Smithfield
church, the leader of the church choir
and a respected citizen. who drove the
stage from his home TO Norridgewock
Earnestly working for his church he
vigorously raised his melodious voice at
choir rehearsals and put his team at
the disposal of the fair sex that they
might not be obliged to walk home
from even one rehearsal.
The fairest of all Smithficld's fair
was Miss Gertrude l. Hartford also a
sweet voiced singer in the choir, whom
y
ten made opportunity to carry home
from the rehearsals. That was all
right of course. Miss Hartford was
only 16 and the deacon had seen 40 odd
summers. Mrs. Track was fond of her
husband and even encouraged his
kindly and brCtherly acts.
But human flesh is yet weak and
when the spring sun warmed the earth
al
fections of the deacon and probably to
this alone is due the surprise which
Smithfield was given on the last of
May, 1900. when it was found that the
deason had disappeared. Inquiries also
revealed that Miss Hartford was also
missing. Matters stood thus for some
time, but at last, Tracy and Miss Hart
ford were found in New Britain, Conn.
where they were supposed to be man
and Wife
In the latter part of October Sheriff
Penneu WIGS given charge of the case
and he went to New Britain. returning.
Nov. s, with Tracy and Miss Hartford.
On the next morning they were brought
before Trial Justice J. F. Withee of
Madison, in the county Jail and were
given hearing. The warrant for their
arrest was sworn out by Mrs. Tracy,
charging both parties with adultery.
Again did human nature show its
weakness. The sight of Tracy in Jail
was too much for his former loving
wife and she was moved with compass
sion and fell on his neck and kissed
him. in true Bible style. Poor Tracy was
repentant and his wife agreed to give UP
the matter. Her father, l.. c. Groves
was present and tried to comfort Tracy
and agreed to do what was right. All
would be forgotten and forgiven.
Accordingly both guilty parties pleaded
guilty and were placed under $500 bonds
to appear before the December term of
court at Skowhegan. Groves cheerfully
Hartford's uncle, j. Hartford, did the
same for her. Happily. the whole party
left the tail and went home together TO
The matter had Quoted down and was
partially forgotten. The deacon, now,
ever, seemed trifle uneasy but Sald
a desire to enter once more the gay
whirl of some city like New Britain still
surged in his heart and having once
tasted it's joys made the humdrum life IN
Smithfield burden to him. NeiShbors
were forgiving. also were the felIoW
church members, and to an outsider 1t
pleasant as of yore. But for what rea-
son we may only guess, he could not
stand ii and again he mystcriously DIS
appeared. this time alone.
4 strict watch is being kept on M 81
Hartford but it is not believed that she
will try to follow the gay deacon ne sets
too fast pace. Even Mrs. Tracy mas
given him up, and who can tell what VII
become of the wandering deacon? when
The grand Jury passed in its list Of m
dictments for the December term there
was but one case OF aduIterE aiiI tii r.,,.
fore it is safe to conclude that the case
against Miss Hartford was mol pressed.
'Trary maid his fine and costs amounting
to S225 10. and thus the State is satisil 9:
in case Tracy is found. therefore ne, SUI
can be brought against him, since ne II
alone and has settled III former case.
The ouict town Of Smithilcid IS even
more shocked than it was when the par
eiopcd. for is it not more SURPRISING 70
find that a welI-used and repentaht slp
npr should care to leave his happy nom
where friends thought enough Of nm i, %
fnrpiye his sins than it was ior MN JUS
TO be led astrav by the charms OF UNI
versal charmcr? :. :,- c,,,,i.b
Gold Dcoplc a subject for c0nVerSat ipI !
and all of us a chance 70 mordllIGt az
fr1j lfipS Qf weak n1nklllu.