The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-11-11
MINIS TERS
INvOL we'd
Ee Revs. Stuchell and Stof-
fit Witnesses in Seduc-
ton Case.
TESTIMONY TAKEN HERE
Brooklyn Man Sues Former
Clerk for His Daugh-
ter's Ruin.
TESTIMONY TAKEN HERE

sensation was caused among the
members of the Claremont Presbyterian
Church and the Free Reformed Church
yesterday over an article that appeared
in the morning papers in which the pas
tors of the churches, the Rev. William
Terrence Stuchell and the Rev. James p.
Stofflet, respectively, were mentioned as
witnesses in a scandal that will be aired
in the courts in the near future The
news was surprise to the congregations
of both clergymen. Although rumor
had gone forth that such case was ex-
pected to come up only a few of the
members of each congregation, it is said,
We're entrusted with the details
Mr.. Stuchell's connection with the case
had been known for some time, but only
two or three members OF his congregation
were acquainted with the facts.
The case in question Is a suit for
81 20 damages brought by A. Dean VIII
son. of No. 55S Madison street, Brooklyn,
against James Henderson. twenty-five
years old. and member Of the Throop
Avenue Presbyterian Church of Brook
lyn on the ground that Henderson Sc
duced Helena, the sixteen-year-old daugh-
ter Of the plaintiff. and is the father of
aser rteen-months-old child.
Testimony in the suit was heard in this
city on Saturday. In order to get the tes-
tiinony OF Mr. Stutchel and Mr.. Stofflet,
the Supreme Court appointed Maximilian
T. Rosenberg OF this city Special Com
missioner. The examination was held in
ar. Rosenberg's offices, No. ! Exchange
Pace.
The Rev Mr. stofflet testified tnat he
bad been engaged to Miss Wilson from.
7Sov. 20. 1899. until April of the following
year Nlssn. ewing to certain suspicious OF
his which were confirmed by the family
Goctor he had broken the engagement.
Upon eross-examination he said that he
had. before breaking off the engagement,
slept at the Wilson house twice. MI
stofflet admitted that upon each Of these
occasions his fiancee had visited his room
after eleven O'Clock at night, but said
that their relations were perfectly proper.
lie saw nothing wrong IN her visiting him
af night. as the two were engaged. He
said that during the greater part of the
time she was in his room she knelt by his
isedside and wept When asked whether
or not she was fully dressed when she
made these visits, Mr. Stofflet said that
he was not sure.
The Rev Mr. Stutchell, in his testi-
,nonv. said that he had first met Miss
wilson at her fathers country place at
White Lake. sullivan County. N r,
about three years ago, while he was
ureaching there He said that once
Helena. her sister Ella and he had taken
\, walk through the woods to see the
sunset Next day he received note from
mrs. Wilson asking him to cease his at
tentions to her daughter. He was also
forbidden to call at the house.
He continued to meet the girl, however,
rot only in White Lake, but later IN New
York and Brooklyn. On several occa-
sions he said. they had visited resta urants
when in Brooklyn: once they had suppec
In private room. but never had there
been any improper relations between
them.
The damages asked for by MFR. Wilson,
as the father Of Helena, are for his ex-
penses during his daughters confinement
and for the alleged betrayal. The COM
piaint was served about year ago. The
answer flied by young Henderson is 2
general denial of every charge contained
in the complaint He is confident that he
win be able to prove himself innocent.
The case will probably come 10 trial the
latter part of this month
Mr.. stuchell is twenty years old
and comes from Washington. He was
essucated at Harvard and for while
practiced law. He was educated for the
n,;nisiry at the Princeton Theological
seminary and at Union. In the past sum-
mer he and Mr.. Stofflet spent several
months together abroad and the two are
on the friendliest terms.
Both have been highly thought Of by
tha members of their congregations Mr.
ct,,cbell was accompanied to the examine
ation SATURDAY by the president of the
1,oard of Trustees Of his church and by
vhen Helena's condition was first dis
covered by her family she steadfastly re-
fused to tell who the father OF ner papy
was and her two married sisters be-
the clerk Of the session
young Henderson, the defendant IN Mr.
Wilson'S suit, had been an intimate
friend Of the Wilson family since ms
saylv bovhood. For a number OF years
be Was employed in the office of Mr Nli-
sa,,,s nork backing establishment no
: ,oo De Kalb avenue, Brooklyn. He has
sIso beeu an employe o fthe Greenwood
Cemetery Association. Helena Wilson,
,,as,das te, unmarried sister. Ella, has
80 r,arried sisters. Mrs. William j An
ae,aon. Of No. 564 McDonough street ana
mrs p. S. Scott. of No. 551 Halsey street.
Brooklyn. ,
lseved henderson innocent Of the charges
s,gainst him. Whether Helena has since
confessed or whether her sisters nave
changed their opinion regarding lienHsf-
so nhas not yet appeared
The Rev. Mr.. stutefe1 Is said g nave
introduced his friend, tl'e Rev. MT. stoI-
6et, to Helena. Mr.. Wilson was so ms'e', es.ss,