Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-08-26
Minister Who Exhibited Quad
ruplets Is Asked to Leave
Goshen, Mass.
GOT SYMPATHY AND MONEY
Sirhtsccrs Came for Miles 10 see the
Babies - Investigntion. However
Fails to Reveal Tint They
Were horn in Chicago md
Preacher Ii barred.

Northampton, Mass, Aug. 2i.-It looks
as though the bankruptcies claimed to
have been born to the Rev and Mrs
Samuel H. Secombe Of Chicago. but now
Of Goshen. n town near this city. are
myths. The people of the little town
where Mr.. Secomhe was engaged to
preach In the Congrc gational Church are
astourdod Mt some of the developments.
There mas been n widespread interest
in the reported births of the four babies
which, as It is claimed. were born on
May 26 and are stu living very spr Chilly.
The papers In all parts Of the country
have had stories about this interesting
on unusual family.
The parents Of the bankruptcies, who
came to Goshen bringing with them four
other children, have been the biect OF
sympathy because Of their needy crcum-
stances. and there have been large con-
tributions OF money.
ASKED TO LEAVE TOWN.
After Mr.. secombe had preached In
Goshen few Sundays, early In the sum
mer. an investigation led TO his being
shut off from preaching. The family was
allowed to remain in the parsonage, but
on the revelation Of what appeared to be
facts showing that the quadruplets are
spurious. the peoi e Of the town became
so incensed that they asked that they
leave town within two days.
Physicians and others in Chicago who
became interested in the birth of the
bankruptcies and made Investigations
found that the Rev. Orin jerks. an Adj
ventist minister, married Mr.. and Mrs
Secombe November ., 1905. and that quad
ruple,s were born. so Il was said. on
May &c. and the mother came with the
children to Goshen June 81 to Join Nv
Secomhe. Mrs. Secombe's explanation
was that she was frightened by a bur
Slar breaking into the house and attack
ing her.
LOOKED Up THE RECORD.
When the mother and babies arrived
in Goshen the church authorities asked
the pastor TO explain the reports that he
had been ma ~ried before and divorced,
and why he had advertised for a wife.
He could not explain satisfactorily and
he was told that he could not preach
longer. Out Of sympathy for the family
II was agreed that Il could remain In
the parsonage two months.
People who are acquainted with the
Secombe family in Chicago and were the
next door neghbors, living al No. 2l43
Fulton street. say no babies We're horn
in the Secomhe household. but claim
that a baby was adopted in April. and
they are sure that Mrs Secombe's house
was not entered by n burglar
DOCTOR ALSO A MYTH?
These bankruptcies as It is claimed.
weighed from six to twelve pounds each
ut birth.
Mrs. Secomhe's story is that she was
attended by lady physician. Or. G. G.
Craig but no such doctor is registered in
Chicago.
Since the family has been in Goshen
people have come by teams and touring
cars in great number 10 see the wonder
ful Guadrrp'ets, and in many Instances
the contributions have been generous
The last Sunday the minister preached
before being harNd from further occu-
pving the pulpit he is reported to have
said to some Of the church people:
Sometimes feel that the Lord has
overwhelmed me with blessings. ana
again I asked myself VIVA, have ! done
that He should affict me- so In sending
me four babies"
Mr.. Secomhe is q Years old and n
graduate Of Amherst college, His wife
was from Maine. and before her marriage
was nurse in Lynn. It is a fact that
no birth OF bankruptcies hns been record
ed M 10 several days ago