The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-09-01
HEAR GIRLS CHARGES
A TROUB MAKER Caused EN-.
SAYS PASTOR HAND.

SAYS PASTOR HAND.
But Miss Louiss Father Hints NJ Red HO
Deveio 1ments and the village OF Rye
Stands squarely Divided Over the
story - the Dsainies fndiscretions
The village Of Rye, n. Y, is all excite.
mont over a church scandal In which the
name Of one OF its clergymen, the Rev
J. Howard Hand, pastor Of the First Metho.
dist Church. il mentioned. While no definite
charge against the pastor has been made
IN the church, Miss Helen Louis, who is
II years old and daughter OF William
Louis, q gardener in the employ Of H. N
Curtis OF New York. has written out state
ment, which Is now in the hands OF the
church elders, accusing the pastor Of trying
to hug her.
The trouble started about month ago
and vas brought to head on Wednesday
by one OF the local papers In an article
accusing the minister Of grossly immoral
conduct toward several Of the younger
members Of his congregation.
( On Aug. the Epworth League gave a
trolley ride TO Stamford. About 100 mem-
bers and guests made up the party and
among them were the minister. his wife
and Miss Louis. Mr.. Hand sat next to
Mas Louis on the trolley ride and is said
to have paid her marked attention. A
day or two later he called upon her at her
home. What happened there both refused
TO tell at present, but promise to testify
before the quarterly meeting Of the church
trustees. At all events gossip was 80 busy
that Miss Louis and the minister had a
meeting TO talk over the affair and Miss
Louis sent statement to the Ladies' Aid
Society OF the church. Mr.. Louis refused
to tell yesterday exactly what his daugh-
ter's statement contained, but said
"She told me the dominic tried to hug
her and made remarks to her. appeared
before tho trustees the other night and
told them that the incident was closed,
i had called upon the minister and COM
PEELED him to return my daughters picture.
Tho minister called at my house severa |
Zines and his remarks to my daughter were
not to my liking. u there IL ever any
legal suit there will be some rcd hot develop
ments. I assure YOU"
That s'the story which IL accepted as
tr,s by half the village. The other half
are sure the trouble was started by some
ensmy OF the pastor.
The Rev. Mr.. Hand was seen at his camp
At oskl.nd Yesterday and freely discussed
the story. The minister il . genial looking
man about IS years old and has four chill
dYen. He has been connected with the
Church for thirty-three years
and has been at The head OF the church In
Rye for . year.
II was warned when ! came hero year
AGO. he said, 1that there were trouble
makers In my congregation, and believe
that this whole row u due to one man.
Some time ago l had occasion to bring
, member Of my congregation TO time.
He was an elder and believe he Ia behind
to the bitter end and shall sue the Port
cAestsr Item for criminal libel.
Mics Louis never would have said what
.he Is said to have said unless some one
put 1t into her head. She may have mis-
understood some remark I made to her.
understand that is the case, Why, my
that trolley ride when l was accused OF
paying attentions to several girls
Is It true that you kissed or Rugged
Miss LOUISE the pastor was asked.
y would rather not DISGUISE the matter
until after the church meeting, he replied.
can't deny mere rumors. There was
nothing to it save perhaps a BIT Of what
you might call foolishness. Why, there
ma . young man who sat on the other side
d Miss Louis who paid her most marked
\ to me of her own free viii as have ave many aaas
other ladies during my thirty-three years
n the ministry.
AS for the other girls mentioned think
II an outrage to try to drag their names
INTO the affair at all. They don't wish
- appear In the case and are very dear
n. Nf I RI LIZ
do not know absolutely, that Miss Louis
made written statement which abe gave
% Mr.. McClenon Of the Ladies Aid Society.
This statement, / am told, was forwarded
% the presiding. elder, Dr. j. f. Adams
II Stamford, and will be acted upon to-
,ldsrs at the church to find out II there is
enough in this matter to have charges
made. Miss Louis, her father and others
Interested, have been asked to appear,
md II they have anything to say against
no to do so. viii be there to defend my.
may possibly have something. to say
ater on, probably tomorrow but I must
iecline to say anything further concerning
he case now"
Mrs. McClenon acknowledged having
eceived a statement from Miss Louis, but
natter. The elders. who have tho matter
n hand and who will bring charges against
he pastor II charges are brought, are
Or. j. E. Adams, W. F. Hendrix, cashier
Il the Rye National Bank; William Brundage
md Principal Shuts.
When it leaked out In the village yester-
lay afternoon that there would be meet
nj at the church In the evening there was
good deal OF excitement and much dis
,ission. Members OF the congregation
topped one another on tina street 10 talk
bout the church's scandal. but a stranger
n a member OF any of the other churches
van met with cold stare when he attempted
o elicit any information.
Although II was known that the meeting
would be open only to those Immediately
Interested and the church elders, many
II the members OF the congregation found
I convenient to take stroll around to-
ward the church just before the conolave
beGan.
When the meeting was over those who
,ad taken part in it hurriedly left the
hun Oh and refused to discuss the nights
Members Of the congre-
alton gradually departed, some disgruntled
!!eoanse they were not enlightened as to
he outcome, others looking wise as though
ne whole situation was at last clear to them
Elder Hendrix. after sone questioning.
made this satement'
"The board has taken no action On the
harges. We have left the matter in the
ands Of the presiding elder, DR.. Adams,
rho will bring it up at the next conference
the circumstances seem "a warrant such
cfion