Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-11
Heron Was Not Expelled From
the Congregational Church.
WAS NOT TRIED ON HERESY CHARGE
The Charge Was That of Immoral Con-
duct and Conduct Unbecomins a
Minister of the Gospel - Some
Things the Testimony Showed.

Grinnell, June 6.-(SpeciaD
Heron trial has concluded a contro-
yersy that has been going on for years.
He was not tried on the charge of her
esy, as has been persistently stated,
not for any theory or doctrine of his,
but was tried on the charge of immor-
al conduct; conduct unbecoming a
minister of the Congregational church.
Neither was he expelled from the
church as had been previously stated.
The council voted to recommend to
the Congregational association that
his name be dropped from the rolls.
Letter Not Read.
Professor Heron refused to assist
in calling a council, allowing it to be
ex-parte, but wrote letter in which
his views concerning the subjects of
marriage and divorce We're explained
at some length. The letter was not
In the nature of a defense, but as his
views on any subject were not under
discussion, it was not read before the
council.
The Prosecution Opens Up.
The council was formed and the
trial began in the Congregational
church here The letter from the
church here to the thirteen surround.
ing churches was read. after which ].
P. Lyman. chairman of the committee
appointed to formulate charges, Sc
4tcure evidence and act as prosecutor
stated that he would introduce pro
ceedings of the court at Algona, where
the divorce was granted and which
would show that the petition, plead
ings and decree We're all dated March
hot CT nc CHI
matters well known to the public.
First Witness.
Then began the introduction of wit
nesses. Rev. E. M. Vittum, of the
Grinnell church, was the first witness
called He said he was at the home Of
the Rands in Burlington in 1893. Mr.
Heron, according to the witness, was
even then spending much Of his time
with the Rand women. He otter
brought his books to their house ant
prepared his sermons there. Mrs
Heron was entirely devoted to Mr.
Heron and when her six-year-old
daughter was burned she was afraid il
would upset Mr.. Heron, who was Their
in Grinnell filling pulpit. Rev. Wit
tum related that Mrs. Heron suffered
from the neglect of Heron and was
~
keep abreast with him.
Mrs. Heron Wanted to Die.
The witness testified that Mrs. Her
ron, on receiving letter from her hus
band while he was in Europe with tn
Rand woman, said to certain woman
II would like to lie down and die RICH
4 here
Embossed His Views,
Mrs. Heron, Rev. Vittum said, rea,
a paper before some woman's societ,
advocating and endorsing Heron
views and teachings. He said that sh
was more than ordinarily devoted t.
her husband.
The above was in response to
question asking whether or not sh
acquiesced in the divorce.
Brave to the End.
Professor Noble was the next wi
ness. He said that Mrs. Heron KEEP
up her intimacy with the Rand wome
to the end.
At this point a delegate arose an
said that in his opinion the counc
was ready to deliver verdict withor
hearing any more testimony, but SCI
eral Grihnell women who were int
mate with Mrs Heron were called vi
on to testify as to Mrs. Herron's col
duct as wife, mother and neighbor
Wrote Husbands Essays.
Mrs. Cole, wife of Professor Col
had attended college at Ripon, Wi
cousin, which Mr.. and Mrs. Hero
attended previously, and it was the a
most universal belief that she wrot
the most Of the essays which wer
credited to Heron. Mrs. Cole de
cribed how ambitious Mrs. Heron wa
to perfect herself in German and othe
studies so that she could be more hell
full to her husband. She said, Mrl
Heron is brilliant, cultured won
an. She believed he had a missio
and put herself under his guidance