The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-15


wrought up over the astounding an
shocking revelations which involve tn
Rev. George ". Howard. the wealthy pas
tor OF the aristocratc Free Baptist churc
here; the Rev. c. A. Johnson, retire
Baptist minister. and Mrs. Lillian Glenn
ant. a prominent Batavia society woman
The two last named are defendants II
IN action just brought by Mr. Howard
for $4,000 damages and the recovery o
several letters which Mr. Howard con
cedes he owns. These letters are from
women and are OF a compromising ma
ture.
In his complaint Mr. Howard rectes
that he is the owner OF six letters, two OF
them purporting to be signed by MAY.
two by Stella" and TINA" and one
signed "Chas.," respectively. and that
Nrs. Clement about September s. 1902
'decigning to create and propagate scan
dal and TO injure the plaintiff personally
and I'm his professional capacity, secretly
obtained possession of the letters, and
thereafter. conspiring with the defendant
Johnson TO inJure this plaintifY, placed the
letters from time 10 time In the posses
zion OF Johnson
Under the joint control of Mrs Clement
and Mr.. Johnson, and alternately I'm the
hands of each, the letters. IL is alleged,
have been shown TO various persons with
out consent OF the writer's or of Mr.
Howard. Ii is further asserted that the
defendants read the letters. with such
changes as they have introduced therein"
60 members OF the Free Baptist church.
and that they placed evil constructions
on the missives for the purpose OF trying
to show that the letters were Of an i'm
moral character.
CHARGES THEM WITH CONSPIRACY.
Mr.. Howard charges Mr. johnson and
Mrs. Clement with conspiring 10 compel
him TO resign his pastorate. leave his
home and abandon his profession, He
asks tho court To grant him an Injunction
restraining the defendants from display
Ing the letters in questidon or disclosing
the contents of them to any one.
The Free Baptist society extended the
call to the Rev. George n. Howard. of
Melrose Highlands. Mass. suburb of
Boston, on May last. Mr.. Howard had
been supplying the pulpit OF the church
several Sundays. He proved satisfactory
and was Installed October Is.
Mr.. Howard has been in the Free Bap-
ttst ministry 20 years. and has a high
standing In his denomination. He Is a
graduate OF Hillsdale college. i'm Michi-
gan and the Bangor tMe) Theological
seminary. He has occupied pulpts In
Lowell and Melrose Highlands Mass.
Mr. Howard is married. and his wife is
at present at the family home at Mel
rose Highlands where she has business
interests i'm the manufacturing line. For
two years MIR. Howard was commander
Of the Sons OF Veterans Of the State OF
Massa chusetts
Soon after Mr. Howard came to Bata-
via communications were received from
Boston charging that Mr.. Howard had
been guilty OF immortality In Melrose
Highlands. Mr.. Howard produced docu-
ments showing that he had been found
innocent Of the charges
Mr.. and Mrs. Clement. with whom he
then boarded. felt that he had been
wronged. and at his request Mrs Clement
took the papers To persons who were
known to have seen the communications
from Boston. In at least one instance the
writer withdrew the charges
MRS. CLEMENTS ANSWER.
Mrs. Clement. In her answer To the
complaint. admits that Mr. Howard de-
manded OF her the return AZ the letters.
and that she declined to surrender them
She further admits that she still has the
letters. but denies all other allegations
She alleges that prior to the beginning OF
his suit. she was a member OF his con-
gregation and q singer i'm his choir
While he was member of her house
mold. she alleges. she observed that he |
received many letters addressed In femi- |
nine handwriting and that at various |
times after tho receipt OF such letters he |
would leave town and be gone over night.
Hearing rumors and statements regard |
ing his personal purity she saws and as |
she was member of his congregation
and regarded II as highly important that
her pastor should be a man OF Christian
life. she Informed him Of her observa
n ha rllFf el.., L.l
Mr. Howard denied any wrongdoing on
his part. and alleged that the letters re-
ferred 10 were written by old and valued
friends. and were OF an entirely proper
character for a clergyman to receive AT
the same time. Mrs. Clement alleges. he
asked her TO watch him and ascertain
thereby the truth Of his statements
THE PASTOR is WATCHED.
Mrs. Clement alleges that she did watch
him. expecting that he would be fully vim
dicated. a. she then believed he was be-
her duty 10 care for his room. and a let
Stella. three letters signed ''Tina.' two
'.chas.." which had been torn up and
thrown away by him, came into her pos
session In that manner.
This possession. she alleges. was ob.
tained BY her lawfully and while in the
discharge Of her regular duties as land.
lady She regarded these letters As
highly improper 90 be addressed 20
Christian clergyman and ~ she dld not
deem person engaged In such CORE
spondence M 10 be Installed as pastor OF
n Christian chlrch. she took tho letters /
OF a portion % them. 10 the Rev Cyrus (
A. johnson. simply for advice
She says that she loaned the letters 10 |
Mr.. Johnson for n short time and had
also exhibited them. or triie comics OF !
hem. 20 limited number OF persons In |
The church 20 protect herself from false
md slanderOus statements and frnnuta- |
'lors made against her by Mr.. W1warf
Mrs. Clement declares that Mr. John. |
son read portions of the letters 20 MIR |
Howard and officers of the church before |
Mr.. Howard's installation as nastor. that
ir. Howard denied fhat the letters were
lis. and said that they were fraudulent
etters made uD bv Mrs. Clement for the
purpose OF injuring him
Mrs. Clement contends that N r. neces-
AIRY for her TO retain The letters 10 pro-
ect herself until Mr.. Howard admits IN
orne public manner that they are letters
hat were addressed 10 him and nart ~
no writer's
m he VIII do this IN a public deolara. I
lon IN writing. signed by him 80 that |
he will be protected from Ais sianderous ]