Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-08-31
A MINISTER IN TROUBLE.

Rev. w. ID. White, Presbyterian
minister, OF late years resident Of
Stanton, and a son of the late Rev.
Robert White, of Prince William coun-
ty. was arrested at his boarding house
in Washington last night on a charge
of committing assault upon the five
year-old daughter Of Nathan J. Ruder-
man. a baker. The crime is alleged to
have been committed last Monday at.
ternoon in the home OF the baker, at
the northwest corner OF Four-and-a-
half and G streets northwest. lmme-
diately after the incident occurred the
child informed her parents and efforts
were made to arrest White, who left
the vicinity very hastily on a bicycle.
His name was not known at the time,
but description was furnished and de.
tectives soon came up with him. White
is said by the detectives to tally with
the description furnished by Sister
Louise, of Providence Hospital, OF the
neat.looking stranger who called at
that institution several days ago and
introduced himself as Judge Blunt, of
the Probate Court of Mecklenburg
county, Va. "Blupt" presented a
cleverly-worded letter explaining
his mission to be the presentation
of check for $1,000, which he al
legged was legacy secured for the
late Sister Beatrice, Of the same hospi-
tai, through the efforts ofhimself. The
check proved to be worthless. White
has been identified as the man who
took the Rudernsn child upon his lap,
and has admitted as much to the de-
tectives who learned that people liv-
Jog in the neighborhood of Whites
boarding house had complained that
the clerical looking boarder had been
acting in familiar way with children
in che peighborhood. A child 10 the
house in which White boarded said he
had offered her candy to go into his
room with him. Other complaints OF
like nature had been made. 1t was
learned also that White habitually
carried bag OF candy, which he offer
ed 10 children. Mr.. Ruderman and
brother OF the child identified the
prisoner as the man who had visited
their home and assaulted the little girl.
White is forty-two years OF age,
and says he has an interest in a large
farm near Staunton. He is of medium
build, of intelligent appearance, Mears
a long flowing beard, and has brown
hair and blue eyes. He is highly cul-
tured, aud an eloquent preacher. He
lived 10 Stanton about ten years, and
has preached from the pulpit at the
Presbyterian churches at Marshall, Eau.
quier county, and at DelsplaDe, Fau-
quier county. Some years ago he
claims he became an evangelist, his field
Including many Virginia counties. He
left his home at Stanton last April and
attended the meeting Of the Chesapeake
Presbytery in this city. On April IA he
left his clearinghouse here without
taking his valise, and as no word was
heard from him he was reported miss.
ing. Nothing was said about his dis.
appearance until the middle of June,
when fears were expressed for his safe
ty. Waite went to Washington last
April and lived in house at 1927 Thir.
ieenth street northwest. He then
moved to house on E street, living
there while he did missionary work, in.
forming himself regarding new creeds.
White says he is entirely innocent OF
the charge made against him. While
his conduct might have been misunder-
stood, be said his intentions were prop
er. He was asked to state whether
be was the Judge BluRt" who went to
Providence Hospital, and replied In the
negative, stating that he knew nothing
regarding the legacy transaction.