The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-24
JOSEPH A. SPECHT NOW
AN UNFROCKED PRIEST
Minister Who Eloped With
Mrs. Hendley Quits Church.
LEAVES THE DENOMINATION
Drastic Action Taken by Bishop Sat
terlee on Learning the Facts-Lat-
est Version of the Escapade.

The Rev. Joseph A. Specht. rector OF
Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church.
Upper Marlboro. Nd, has been de.
posed from the ministry of the Episco-
pal Church as a direct result of his
alleged elopement with Mrs James a.
Hendley, young matron OF Washington.
Through this action he is not only re-
moved from the ranks OF the clergy. but
also deoarred as a communicant OF the
denomination. This expulsion was
brought about mainly at the instance Of
his wife. who complained TO Bishop Sat-
terlee Of his relations with Mrs. Hend-
ley.
1t has been learned by those deeply
interested in the sensational escapade
that tho erring wife and her clerical
associate are no longer together. The
young woman is now at the home of
her wealthy father, James A. August,
in Lewisburg, w. Va. having parted
with her companion before the elope-
ment had hardly begun. The young
minister is believed 10 be In Baltimore
with his wife. who is reported as having
consented to a reconciliation IN spite
Of all the startling developments OF the
past few weeks.
Bishop Informed by Mrs Specht.
The deposing of Mr.. specht followed
closely after his averred relations with
Mrs. Hendley became known. One CT
the first TO learn of the elopement was
his wife. and she lost no time in con-
veying the news to Bishop Satterlee,
After hearing the story the bishop sum-
moned Mr.. Hendley with a view OF gath
ering more information on the subject
The narrative was confirmed by the de-
serted husband. Then immediate steps
were taken to depose the clipping pastor.
Even before Mr.. Speeht returned to
Washington an investigation of the
charges had been begun by the church.
Letters requesting his withdrawal from
the church were addressed to him and
he was given a specified time make a
satisfactory explanation, or formulate
q reply in accordance with the demand.
When the time limit had nearly ex-
pired he complied with the wishes of his
superior by withdrawing from the
church. His name was then erased from
the TeCOTuS OF the uioCtse
History of the Elopement.
The details OF the elopement are be-
coming more generally known. II has
now developed that Mr. Hendley had
separated from his wife few days be-
fore the elopement on account of her
alleged relations with the minis
ter. After the parting. the young wo-
man FASTENED to Upper Marlboro. and
there sought shelter az the home OF the
minister. While stopping at the clergy
mans house she helped nurse Mrs.
Specht. who was I'll at the time. It is
believed the flight was planned then.
Mrs. Hendley remained only a short
time at Upper Marlboro. After leaving
the town she came 10 Washington and
registered under her own name at local
hotel. In the meantime her parents
heard rumors Of her escapade. and her
father sent word that he would come 70
this city 10 take her TO his home When
Mr. August arrived. the two registered
at another hotel
At the same time Specht is said TO
have become a guest of the hotel, al
though this fact was unknown to the
young woman's father. In accordance
with an alleged prearranged plan rhe
two met that night. and boarded a train
for New York Soon after reaching that
city they separated. Mrs. Hendley went
20 the home OF some relatives. Her
companion went TO Canada.
Resigns Passionate.
Before the clipping couple were again
specht informed Bishop satterlee OF her
husbands actions. Then the necessary
evidence was got together for his ex-
pulsion from the church.
Following his withdrawal from the
denomination. Specht wrote a letter OF
resignation as pastor OF Trinity Church.
The communication was addressed to the
registrar of the parish II merely an
nounced that he wished 10 retire "a
leader Of the flock. and closed with a
blessing. No reason was offered for the
hasty action. and the congregation was
for while compelled 10 draw its own
conclusions.
Specht has a wide circle OF friends in
Washington. He was generally known
10 certain class as the sporting min
lister" on account of his remarkable
ootits
Fond of Fast Horses.
He showed a keen fondness for fast
horses, and often expressed an interest
In the races. His reputation, for a min
lister. YVES decidedly unenviable
According 10 a current report he was
actually compelled by his father TO eu
ter the ministry. He studied at the
Alexandria Theological Seminary. ana
graduated several years ago lie is said
20 have run away from the school az
on time. but was persuaded to return.
His father. who died some tiue ago,
Was reported to be wealthy.