New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-30
Mrs. VaShta Dalton, Coming
from North, Makes Charge
Against the Rev. R. t.
Locke. of Rutherford.
KNEW HIM 15 YEARS AGO
Well Known Preacher Heatedly
Denies All, but Congregation
Is Divided and Cloud Rests
on Church's Fiftieth
Anniversary.

on the eve of the semi-centenary
celebration of the founding Of the First
Presbyterian Church of Rutherford.
3 y. j.. a cloud has been cast over the
parish which threatens 10 mar. if not
destroy. the occasion. out of the Far
North, the widest regions of Alaska,
in fact. a woman has appeared. bring
ing charges against the pastor of the
church, the Rev. DR.. Richard Earl
Locke.
The woman, Mrs Vashta Dalton, also
known as Mrs. Vaslita Dalton. is a
writer and explorer and the author Of
several saort plays depicting life in the
North. She appeared in Rutherford
recently, alleging that she had known
DIR. Locke fifteen years ago and made
accusations TO trustees of the church.
When called upon to explain the wom-
ans charges the pastor denied every
statement she had made.
News OF Mrs. Ualton's visit and her
nurpose leaked out a few days ogo,
however, and since then gossip has
been rife in the parish and the town.
Not satisfied with merely a denial on
the part Of Or. Locke the session. the
governing body Of the church, called
upon him TO show proof that the wom-
ans allegations were untrue.
DR.. Locke went to the Rutherford
church five years ago, leaving pas
torate in Buffalo To assume charge Of
the New Jersey congregation. He is
popular in the town and has taken an
active part IN local matters. He is an
orator of repute, and this fall declined
an offer from the state Progressive
committee to go on the stump for
Everett Colby, Progressive candidate
for Governor.
Clereyman's Denial Vigorous.
In the town are many who refuse to
credit the story pertaining to the pas
tors past life. on the other hand,
there are members of the congregation
who have refused to enter the church
since the affair has become public and
have taken their children from the
Sunday school.
To a reporter for The Tribune, when
seen al his home. at No. 50 Ridge
Road, last night, DR.. Locke denied the
truth Of the story told by Mrs. Dalton.
1T is the fabrication Of a vicious
person" he said. and is absolutely
without a single word Of truth. Ii is
true / have known her several years,
but had not seen her until a few,weeks
ago in probably fifteen years.
What her motive in approaching me
at this time is ! am unable to state. l
am convinced that it is either for pur-
poses Of biackmail or else she is men
tally unbalanced"
Mrs. Dalton made no demands for
money, the pastor continued, having
left town as suddenly as she had come
after seeing him on at least two occa-
sions
Ny life has been as an open book"
DR.. Locke declared. Il have been
minister in Boston. Philadelphia, New
ark and Buffalo. and investigation at
any Of those places will prove that l
have led a life free from such acts as
this woman charges"
Mrs. Dalton is in the West at pres
ent. In August of this year she came
to New York from Alaska and engaged
rooms at No. 81 West 10th street, Man
haitian. In a story printed in The
Tribune at the time of her visit TO this
city Mrs. Dalton declared she had lived
Continued on fourth page. fourth column.