Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-05-21
SHOOTS PASTORS
DOG; PAYS FINE
And a Whole Lot of Metuchen
Citizens Are Excited
Because
IT WAS A CASE OF
KICKING DOG ARoUN'
Pastor Is Kicking, Everybody Is
Kicking, but No One Seems
to Know Why.

METUCHEN, May 21.-Francis ueisne,
eonnor pleaded guilty in police court yes-
terday to shooting a dog owned nv Rav
John Il. Fenton, pastor of the fasbjonabIe
81 Lukes Episcopal Church. Magistrate
weber nned Conner $50, which his wealthy
wife paid.
Mrs. Common, who Is 43 years old. was
formerly Mrs. Dudley Tying Upjohn. She
divorced her husband In Reno, New. last
FEBRUARY, and two days later in San
francisco married Conner, who is 20.
eonnor mother approved of the match.
Jonn Murdoch Conner, the young mans
Iatner. SO strongly disapproved of 1t that
ne came TO blows with his son over Il.
ana left bis wife, who. however. possesses
the money of the family.
me younger Conner sang In the choir
OF 81. Luke,s; his parents and the I'm
johns attended the church. After he left
his home John M. Conner lived for a
while with Rev. Mr.. Fenton. his init
mate friend.
So people in Metuchen were saving
yesterday that young Connor, In a sense.
was kicking his fathers dog aroun' :"
when he killed the clergyman's dog.
Remarkable to tell, John M. Conner
Is now living In a miserable tumbledown
house, a mile outside of Metuchen. He
is not exactly a hermit, for he asso-
ciates with his old friends occasionally.
The house in which his wife lives and
which she owns is most comfortable.
Francis Common was arrested by Chief
of Police Flaherty, charged by the local
S. P. C. A. with ''cruelly shooting the
dog of Rev. John F. Fenton," The cler-
gyman, in a vehement, almost bitter
speech before the Common Council, had
characterized his former chorister as "a
reckless n dangerous young man."
Mr.. Tenton said his dog and his neigh
boris dogs, who wandered in the vicinity
of wildwood, Mrs. Francis Connor's
handsome estate, never reappeared. In
vestigation proved young Conner had
killed them with a shotgun. The clergy
man added that Connor shot SO recklessly
that he endangered human lives, as we'll
rs those of valuable dogs.
Magistrate Weber heard the testimony
Of several witnesses. Throughout the
proceedings Mrs. Conner sat next to her
husband and occasionally threw her arm
around the back of his chair with a pro
tecting gesture. In court Conner uttered
but one word. guilty" Then the mag
istrate imposed the fine and warned Con-
nor against the wicked use of firearms.
This Is only spitework by those who
do not approve of Bell Mansion. Your
Honor exclaimed Mrs. Common. spring
ing to her feet. IT will pay the bill. I
ean and viii pay any fine that may be
imposed on my husband"
This is young Connor's third appear
snce In the Metuchen court In a year.
Or. Alfred Lauder Ellis, a former
mayor. had him arrested for shooting
his dog. Last umner Franks father
had him arrested charged for 'criniially
~assauiting him with a revolver butt, on
which charge the young man was held
under bonds for the grand jury. The
then Mrs. Upjohn went his bail then.
Mrs. Frank Conner inherited $25o,OOo
from her father, who was head of the
1ewelry firm of Pickslay & Co., $40
Fifth avenue. Her first husband. Dud-
ley r. Upjohn, is president OF the ALI
night Mission, s Bowery.