New Britain herald., 1922-04-12
ELOP!NG PASTOR ID
 FACE CHURCH TRIAL
East Berlin Ministers Alleged Divorce and Marriage Under Fire


 Rev. Leon Ellsworth, the former
 Methodist minister q, East lierIir,
 who elopel with Miss Marjorie Turner
 Of that place sometime ago, nnd
 caims to have hocn married in Texas,
 following his alleged divorce from his
 first wifi, will have tn stand trial be-
 fore the Wyoming conference at End
 ir"it x Io according to statements hS th. Einghamton Press, which has been following the ease with consid- 'rable interest
 The article in the Press rays in part, as follows;
 An official Investigation is to be made at the Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church at Endcott this week Of the case of the Rev, Leon W, Ellsworth, formerly Of Norwich, which is reported 10 have divorced his wife and to have mar ried Miss Mariory Turner, of New Britain, Conn. The divorce is said to have been obtained in Texas where the new marriage is believed to have taken place, Report Of the contemplated action by the confer cnce reached BinGhamton today. It came from the Rev, Frank D, Hart sock, Of Scranton, Pa, superintend- ent Of the Scranton district
 Dr. Hartsock's statement clears away a great deal of uncertainty. | Locally there has been no news until now as to whether tho Rev. Mir. | Ellsworth's name is still upon the l roll of membership of the confer- cnce. Under the rules Of procedure | of the Methodist church he could | have withdrawn, through filing let ter with his district superintendent, Dr. Hartsock, or else he could have awaited action at the coming session. In the latter event it is stated on the highest authority in this city that Mir. Ellsworh must stand church trial.
 Trial of Case Deemed LiAS'y.
 According to Dr. Hartso''l, Mir Ellsworth having failed to withdraw, the Conference retained jurisdiction and assurance is coming from high authority that his case will be tried whether he be absent or present. The membership probably will take up the case shortly after the open ing of Conference tomorrow morn- ing.
 The Rev. Mir. Ellsworth may at tend, and present his own side of the case. 4 great deal has been ,ub- lished that lacks the stamp of abso- lute certainty. Mir. Ellsworth is native Of Norwich. and several years ago married young woman of that village, who still makes her home there. He went through Wesleyan University, and while still in stud les at last years session of Confer ence, in Kingston, Pa, he was ap- pointed by Bishop J. F. Berry to the charge at Sterling. Scranton dis Irlct. So far as known he never full filled the terms of the appointment. He still is under the care of the dis trict superintendent, the Rev pr. Hartsock. who will bring the matter before Conference.
 According to Norwich and New Britain dispatches. Mir. Ellsworth, while sick, fell in love with his nurse. Miss Marjory Turner, teacher in he Sunday school of church where le was preaching near the unver- ity It is now claimed by him, ac- 'ording to Conference authorities, hat he secured a divorce from Mrs. Ellsworth last summer having cs- ablished residence in Texas
 Runror of Marriage in Texas.
 Since the alleged departure of Mir. ellsworth and Miss Turner. word as come back of their marriage fin he state of Texas. If Mir Ellsworth sks for letter of dismissal or trans CT from the Wyoming Conference to he state of Texas, he must still ap- ear before the Conference, or fits roperly delegated committee, and here esta blish his right to an honor Die dismissal. The publicity which he case has received will cause the onterence to exercise unusual care nat the decision be right it is bought