The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-28

Blunt Porter against the Rev. Charles ii.
Porter. Jr., recent pastor OF Claiming
Memorial church OF Newport, was de-
cided in that city yesterday afternoon.
The court directed that a decree ror
divorce be drawn up, but under the Rhode
Island law II does not become fully oper-
ative. nor are the principals permitted
TO marry again. until the expiration OF
six months. Neither Mr.. Porter nor Mrs.
Porter was in court. No correspondent
was named in court. The case was heard
largely on depositions.
The couple were married Oct II, 1900
and resided together until April is last
Henry G. Stevens, cashier OF the New
port National bank and a member or
the church, testified 10 the pastorate of
Mr.. Porter here and of the residence or
the couple In the parsonage. He also
identified photographs presented with
the dispositions as those OF Mr.. Porter.
Minnie Robinson, a former servant In
the Porter family. testified that Mrs.
Porter was at home at the parsonage
on the night OF April 16, 1902.
ENJOYED WINE TOGETHER.
Mary Goodale OF 24S West Forty-third
street, New York city. said in a deposit
ton that she kept furnished rooms IN
that city; that about o'clock, April Is
last, a man calling himself Talbot. but
whom she identified by pictures exhib-
tied with deposition, called at her house
and engaged a room for the night. He
said he would bring his wife
He came during the evening with
lady, and they were shown TO the rooms,
a parlor and bedroom. She asked II they
would like anything. and he said some re-
freshments, bottle OF wine, which Wit
nGrSOnallN nv
served another bottle. About IL O'CLOCK
the lady left and witness was called TO
the room. The man had his coat Off
Mrs. Frances Collins maid at the same
house, identified photographs exhibited as
those OF man TO whom she served
bottle of wine on the evening OF April is.
about $3.50 O'Clock When she opened IL
she said he remarked that she did IL as
II she had done so before. The occupants
OF the room were fully dressed at the
time. Later she carried pitcher OF water
10 the room. The man had coat and vest
off. The lady's outer garments had been
removed. She had no doubt about the
photograph being that OF the man she
saw though he then had mustache.
IDENTIFIED BY DETECTIVE.
Jacob f. Bad. a licensed detective and
process server OF New York, deposed that
16 and followed the person of whom
photograph exhibited was a picture. The
man went to the baggage department, Sc
cured a valse marked &C. H. p, Jr,"
went out. took a Ninth avenue elevated
train at Warren street TO Forty-second
street. then a car TO the Manhattan hotel,
where he registered as &C. ii. Porter, Jr.,
Newport. II. l." gave up his. baggage to
boy and went to the bar, below, where he
Il l.. vl,t
cigar. sat around. went out through the
ladies' entrance and took a cab.
Joseph A. Persch. a cab driver, deposed
that on April 16. about 1880 o'clock he
took a man OF whom the picture exhibited
was a portrait to PAS West Forty-third
street. lie did not wait, and saw the de-
tective later.
The testimony of Henry Laurie, an
other cab driver, was to the effect that
he drove the man identified by the pict-
ure TO the same place about Sis y. m;
came back and reported.
Max Bah. another detective, gave evil
dence similar to that OF his brother, ex-
cept that he did not follow TO the bar
below and see the drink taken.
A certificate OF registration OF Mr.. Por-
ter. TO show that he claimed residence In
Newport, was also offered.
The court ordered a decree, as stated
above.
SENSATION IN SEASIDE CITY.
The affair has caused sensation here,
where Mr.. Porter has been prominent as
a pastor and I'm Grand Army and liter
ary circles. Mr.. Porter is only 80 years
old. lie Is a son OF former Mayor Charles
III. Porter OF Quincy, Mass. He grad
uated from Harvard college In 1889, and
from its divinity school four years later.
He was ordained I'm the Church OF our
Saviour. - Brooklyn, i'm 1896, and was
an assistf.lt to the Rev. Samuel A. Eliot
there some years.
Mr.. Porter proved an attractive preach
er. but he did not make pastoral calls.
and trustees and members OF the church
took him 20 task for this omission. He
frankly confessed his dislike Of certain
kinds Of church work. In a letter read
10 his congregation on Sunday, March
%. In which he resigned as pastor of the
church. and gave notice OF his purpose
to retire from the ministry.
Mrs. Porter Is a daughter OF the late
Harvey Blunt Of Boston. She has been
held I'm high esteem by membres Of Chan
ming church.
MIR. PORTERS DENIAL.
Regarding the divorce suit in which he
figured at Newport yesterday. the Rev.
Charles III. Porter. Jr., made the follow
ing statement 90 reporter today:
~ thoroughly disgusting busi-
ness for a man OF my position and Of my