The New York Herald Newspaper, November 27, 1875, Page 6

VASTERDAY ON THE ISLAND. ——_-—_——_- A Day of Blood and Tumult. MURDERERS DEFY THE LAW. —— ooo An Old Man Cut Down Under the | Shadow of a Prison. STAMPEDE OF CONVICTS. How Commissioner Brennan Prevented Keepers from Killing Criminals. Yesterday was one of excitement on Blackwell's Island. When the light was dawning “it was discovered that adeed bad been done almost under the walls of the Penitentiary which would have been shocking if it had been committed in a dreary place wherein tne footsteps of an official never fails An old man is found murderously assaulted and robbed just where life and property ought properly to be most secure, bold malefactors have committed a crime within the range of vision of law officers, and yet the crimimals escape _— detection. In the middle of the day the Commissioners sit in judgment upon an official charged with eriminal- ity, and in the middle of their deliberations they are disturbed by an alarm of a stampede among the convicts It is hard to lay the bdtame for these things where it properly belongs. This alone is certain. It is terrible for a private citizen to contemplate what may happen to him in his home when such a frightful thing occurred to poor Creevy in the abode of criminals supposed to be thor- oughly subjected to the law. A STORY OF A PAIR OF SHOES, Among the prigoners in the Penitentiary is a young man committed for two years and six months for his first offence, forgery. This prisoner charges that atter he had been in the institution for some months one of the keepers informed him that Edward McDonnell, Deputy Superintendent of the Workhouse, was wearing his (the prisoner’s) shoes The prisoner complained tO Warden Fox that he had on to believe that McDonnell had appropriated his clothes, valued at $80} that he had the names of the keepers and others wh saw him wearing aportion of the clothing, and he asked {or an investigation. The prisoner on Monday stated to the writer, in the presence of Deputy Warden Brown and Keeper Douglas, that one day he was called into the office before Warden Fox; that as be went in the accused official and Keeper Raywood met him and asked him when the shoes were brought in to say they were not his, so as to clear them; that ho refused, and stated that if he recognized the shoes as his he should certainly tell Warden Fox so, The shoes were produced, ‘nd he recognized them as the ones he had had made to order and the pair he wore when he entered the institation; that Warden Fox asked the accused Deputy where ke got them, and was informed that they had been given to him wood’s explanation was that he found the shoes lying around, did not know who owned them and gave them to his associate keeper. The prisoner further stated that the Warden asked brim for the name ef the persons who had seen the keeper wear his clothes, but he declined to give the names, fearing that it would get them into trouble, and that Warden Fox had said aothing to him since. would cheerfully give the names to President Bailey, and bad prepared a statement in writing which he had laced inthe hands of an officer to forward to Mr. wiley. ‘This story would seem very incredible were it not mpported by other circumstances. These are, first, shat Warden Fox did not report the facts to the com- mission until after he knew they were reported out- mide of the Island, and that asearch of the property room showed that not only the man’s shoes, but all jhe rest of the suit in which he came in were tmiss- ing. ‘cused keeper, reported to the writer that he had made a thorongh search and had not found an | article - belonging to the prisoner.» He earnestly fesired an investigation, he said, inasmuch as it §8 possible that the clothing of other -prisoners on veing discharged may not be found, and, as he now hag sharge of the clothing of prisoners it may be suspected dvat be has misappropriated it, The prisoner au- + thorized the reporter to report the results of the inter- view to Present Bailey and ask him to investigate, which was done; but Mr. Bailey declared that he would not believe a word of it, He spoke very vehemently against the practice of privoners reporting such cir- cumstances; declared he would not investigate itor receive any complaint frum a prisoner who could not be believed; that thet was the Warden’s duty. Mr. Pauley was informed that the prisoner's statement was supported by the other facts detailed above, and that as the shoes were tn Warden Fox's possession the truth of the charge could be substantiated if the shoe- maker who made them recognized them as the priso er’s property. He still ridiculed the idea of a kee who is very particular in his dress, wearing the clothing of a prisoner, but made a memorandum of the state- ments. President Bailey expressed the belief that there | $8 aconspiracy existing on the Island against MeDon- nell, and deciared that they have heretofore found it out, and intimated to some of the subordinates that they haa beter resign. Since then there had been Detter discipline, and the Board proposed to suppress: all insubordination of that kind. Yesterday Commissioners Baile; made ap investigation of the case. Their session was private, so far as reporters were concerned. When the Meeting was over it was anounced that several wit- esses bad been examined; that the pris- oner had declared he had seen his shoes upon Cox and Brennan McDonnell’ feet; that Keeper Thomas Raywood had testified that he had given the shoes to McDonpell, as he had found them too small for himself, and that, bav- 1 with, McDonnell, he had caused tho the Iatter with stealing bis shoes. 1, and one of the Commissioners Clared that ‘it was a put-up job.” THE KILLING OF A KEEPER. Between five and six o'clock yesterday morning, as Mr, Francis Burke weighers of Black- well’s Island, was pa the easterly gate of the main wall that divides the Almshouse from the Penitentiary grounds he « that the old gate keeper, Matthew Creevy, was absent from his post. Presum- ing that he had overslept the gatehouse, vy slept, and found tie door ajar. He pressed against the door, bat could only open it about uve or six inches. best he could he observed that Creevy was lying npon the floor. door and it gave way. He was astonehed and horror. stricken to find the old man lying upon the floor covered with blood. The poor man was breathing very heavily, and the indseations were that he could live but a short time. Mr. Burke immediately gave an alarm, and tb oid man was immediately removed to the Charity Hi pital There he was attended by Dr. J. H. Kitchen, vbo found a terrible gash on the left side of his skull, Tits brains protrnded from this wound. There was also a deep cut on the right side of his head and one on his neck. The wounds were immediately dressed, and stimulants were given to the sufferer, In abour two hours Creevy revivea somewhat aud was asked who it was that bit him. He replred:— “PRR SECOND MAN DID IT.”” Creevy was committed to the almshouse last May. He was for several months the keeper of the middie gate, but for a few weeks has ‘Deen detailed at the easterly or prisoners’ gate. He ‘was supposed to have considerable money about him, as he sold tobacco to the prisoners, He also wore a good silver watch. Ail bis pockets weresturned inside cut, and It was evident that be was assaulted tor his money. Every dollar he jad wus gone, but his watch was found between the two mattresses of his bed. He probably put itthere on retiring. The littie ‘lodge’ in which the old man was fonnd arijoins the gate on the west siae, The stables are on one of the cos in covered where Cr the other side of the wall, The ‘lodge’ is about twelve weive, and contains a small stove, a bed, & closet and a few pictures. Just as you enter tue “lodge” isa Jarge pool of blood, showing that THE VIRST ASBAULT that was committed upon Creevy was made at the en. Wance; adjoining the box was another large pool of Dicod, in which the old man’s head was found lying. A kmall hatchet lay near the stove, covered with blood and the gray hairs of the unfortunate old man. ‘The only men that passed the gate before the dis- covery of Creevy were the ice and bread men, both of ‘whom are now ander arrest. wir names were with. held by the Commissioners. Nothing points them out as the guilty persons except that they were the first to (pass the gate. (ve of the small bouts that bad been chained and lo ve night before, direcuy opposite Oreevy’s | “lodge,” was’ missing in the amorning, but was “pon afterward found fastened to the cock adistance beloW, and near to the Charity Hospital, ‘The impression prevails that the murderous assault awas committed by two discharged convicts, who, with others, had af impression that the old man Creevy {had a large sum of money about his person, Tt is eap posed that they crossed the river near daylight, lett heir own boat on the west side of the isiand for gatety’s sake, broke loose the island boat and ran it down Ww the dock, 80 Uiat in case of an alarm they conld Make good Wer escape from either side of the deiand. POOR CRERVT Mad NO WRAPON, ; owing to the that nape bub Ung kogyers are allowed by Keeper Raywood; that Ray- | He stated further that he | Mr. Douglas, who succeeded Raywood, and the | himeelf Burke went to | Looking in aa | He made another desperate efort against the | to carry firearms, This order was issued last sum- mer because one of the men shot @ lunatic, whom he mistook for a prisoner who was trying to escape. It is the opinion of some of the keepers that bad the old man had a pistol he would have been able to save his life [twas evident that Creevy was up and 4 aud was preparing for bis work when be was attacked. Soon after he was called Dr, Kitchen, seeing that Creevy was rapidly sinking, tried to in from him something im regard to the assault upon him. He asked him if some person connected with the Penitentiary had committed THE PRARPUL DEED, and received a reply in the negative. Hig next ques- tion, “Pid anybody belonging to the Alm house do it’? was answered with “Yes,” | but at the time of the response the mind of the unfortunate Creevy to wander, and no credence is given by the authorities of the Island to bis answer. Coroner Eickhoff was notified and made all haste to reach Blackwell's Island, Before he ar- | rived, at three o'clock P. M., however, Creevy had be- | come insensible and wag unable to’ speak. He was obhged to return to the city without being able toob- tain the wounded man’s ante-mortem statement. A STAMPEDE OF CONVICTS. Between three and four o'clock yesterday afternoon the Warden and keepers of Blackwell's Island were startled by the discharge of firearms, and soon the sounding of the alarm boil told that some trouble had occurred, and that immediate assistance was required. The Commissioners of Charities and Correction were at the time in session at the Charity Hospital, and they started for the scene of trouble A few seconds disclosed the fuct that a gang of prisoners were running in every direction, and | that a general stampede of sixty convicts bad taken | place on the enst side of the Island, The signal was | | immediately made for the several crews to man their | boats and for the steamboat, which was lying at the dock, | to put out into the stream to prevent any convicts’) | from escaping. Commissioner Brennan ran down the | west bank of the Island with his pistol drawn, and Drought three of the rufians to bay, fortunately, just in | tume to save their lives, ax one of the keepers was in the act of shooting at them. Commissioners Cox and also joined in the chase, Soon nearly all of the 8 were mustered into line and marched to their | | quarters. Two of the gang, however, were missing, and as the boat crews had kept a close watch it was | certain they had not left the Island. Thorough search was begun, and after some little | time the missing men, John Morgan and John Con- nelly were found secreted in the sewer that leads from | the Almshouse, near storekeeper Hagley’s residence. | | One of the keepers wanted to shoot them, but Commis- | stoner Brennan made him put up his pistol, and, ca'ling | mpon the two to come out, they obeyed.’ They were immediately removed to the prison and locked up. THE: FATAL TREE, INFLICTION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN LOUISIANA—A HUSBAND'S MURDER EXPIATED— FREE LOVE IN A COMMUNITY OF NEGROES, Moxnox, La., Nov. 26, 1875. Fully five thonsand people, mostly colored, gathered | | ducing Brother White to arise and state to those S THE SCANDAL REVIVAL Important Action Taken by | Plymouth Church. An Exciting Business Meet- | ing Last Night. EMMA C. MOULTON’S VICTORY | | Her Demand for a Joint Counsel Granted. The Case in the Hands of Mr. Beecher’s Friends. In spite of thé pitiless rain storm that prevailed last night the prayer meeting at Plymouth church was largely attended, Very few strangers, however, were present The faces were those so familiar during tho progress of the great scandal trial The whole tone of the meeting was remarkably subdued; every one present seemed to be aware that at the chose of the religious services a business meeting would be formed for the purpose of taking action on Mrs, Emma C, Moulton’s letter. There were very few prayers offered, and, toa disinterested observer, Mr. Beecher himself scemed to be full of emotion, which he repressed with difficulty, Instead of the usual sparkling talk to which his Friday night congregations are accustomed, he filled up the half hour by in- present the work which is being done in the Plymouth missions under his supervision, and, when this failed to ill up the time, the pastor called on Rev. Charles Morton, who has charge of the Plymouth Bethel, to Telate the history ofthat institution, The meeting was finally closed by Mr. Beecher’s as- cending the platform and announcing that letters of withdrawal had been requested by four of the members of the chureh, viz, :—Mrs, Agnes Newman, Mr. and Mrs, Alonzo F. Thomas and Mr, Anthony F, Donaldson. The pastor then pronounced the benediction, and a very few of those present retired. Amid the bustle incident to their withdrawal, Mr. Beecher aunounced that the business meeting would be immediately organized. here to-day to witness the executions of Tony Nellum and Alcee Harris, condemned to death for the murder of | Henry Harris, the husband of Alcee, all colored, The | gallows was erected in the contre of the Court House square, near the jail. At a quarter past ten o'clock the coudemned were conducted to the scatfold, The read- ingot tha death warrants followed, at which tho | criminals were greatly agitated. © Nellum only spoke. The confessions of both, published | the Ouachita Telegraph to-day, show their | | | | in undoubted guiltof a most brutal murder. Alcce Harris, twenty-four years of age, died with only a slight strag- gie. Nellum, after being dropped, caught the rope above his head and the post at his side. His arms wero | nd héld down by the Sheriff and jailor until his ggles ceased. His urms had been imperfectly pinioned behind, between the elbows and shoulder, and | by sume exertion he managed to free his hands, Forty minutes atter their fall the condemned were cut down. The execution was ‘conducted without interruption or expressions of disupprobation, | ‘The murder was committed in May, 1874, by Nellum, who Killed Harris in bed with an axe and threw the body into a bayou. ‘The wife of Harris, Alcee, con- fessed she was a participant in the deed, saying she | was glad of her busband’s death, because he had beaten | her and threatened to take ber life, } THE CRIME, | In the fertile parish of Ouachita, upon the banks of | | the Bayou De Siara, is situated a large plantation, Upon it lived a community of negroes, and among them a married couple named Henry and Elise | Harris. Their houseboid was not a harmonious | | One, Into it the tempter bad entered in the person of | | an aged and ill favored negro named Tony NeHam, and | matrimonial bickerings, which often culminated in mie SESE blows, were more of a rule than an exception | in the ddily hfe of tho Harrises. Their neigh. | bors had become 0 accustomed to frequent quarrels that, on the 11th day of May, 1874, when Henry Harris “turned op missing,” but littie notice was taken of the fact, Tony Nellam’s and Elise Harris’ explanation of bis absence by aileging | that ‘he bad gone up the bayou on business” being | readily accepted, | DISCOVERY OF THR BODY, | Four days afterward some negroes accidentalty dis- | | these | | covered tlie body of a negro man wedged in under the | logs of a raft lying at the shore of the bayou. It was dressed in an undershirt and drawers only. The skull was found mashed in upon the left side as with @ blunt instrament, and | other marks of violence left no doubt as | } to how it come by its end. It was immediately recog- | nized as the remainsot Henry Harris, and, as the hands | upon the plantation can recollect ‘that Harris | and his arrelied violently upon | the night their suspicion — at | | once bi nat the latter and | her ancient paramour Tony Nellam, Expressing those | suspicions to Mr. B. T. McKuery, @ resident of the neighborhood, he immediately arrested Tony, detained | him at his house all might, and during this interval pre- vailed upon him to make 'a contession, which was to the following eflect:— THE CONPESSION. On Saturday night, the 10th of May, Tony Nellum and Elise Harris returned home from the Geld and found Henry Harris seated upon the threshold of his cabin, The husband and wife immediately commenced quar- 4 relling, when Elise, growing more and more ex- | cited, finaily picked up an axe helve with which she dealt Henry « blow upon the bead, knocking tim senseless. Aguin aseailing him while prone upon the } ground, she rained blows upon the victim | until life berate extinct. Tony had, according | to his statement, endeavored ‘to interfere, but without avail, Finding Harris dead, Elise then ordered assist her in throwing the body into the bayou, id only after having his life threatened if he yn the morning alter this confession Mr. M y rest of Elise Harris, Her | statement di materially from Tony's. She denied having been present at the murder and said she had | Jeft the house early in the evening, leaving her husband | and Tony together, and that when she returned at a | late hour the Jatier was found alone. | i} THE TRIAL | commenced upon the 14th of January last at the trict Court, before Judge Robert Ray, presiding. | The evidence adduced implicating both the accused mitting the deed was conclusive, — It that the blows had been inflicted onthe 18th of January the jury bre of guilty against both the accused. They were ably defended, but all efforte subsequently made to secure a new trial failed and the prizoners were sentenced to death. ‘Two notable features were, however, presented at the | inquest. First, it was held that McEnery’s testimony was mere hearsay, he not being competent | to receive a confession im a non-official pacity. This objection was overruled by the When the case was appealed to the Supreme Cov r vas set aside, but upon the ground of th ence enough to conviet without McEnery’s, the | ment of the lower court was affirmed Juiy 31. | | The other feature which gave the defence grounds | tor determined contest hinged upon the construction | of the indictment m which the word “wilful” had | | been accidentally omitted, and a rehearing was | granted upon the question—‘ls the indictment valid | inlaw?’ The Court maintained its former position, | | denying the “sacramental” character of the omitted | | word a ord and asserting the sufficiency of the allegation of | “felonious”? unt be } More recently, when the action of the Exeentive be- | came argent on the execution of the verdict, Governor | | Kellogg, laboring under the apprehension that the | woman’ Elise might have en controlled by Nelluam in the commission of the | crime, caused the matter to be more filly | investigated, but only to find, on the contrary, that the woman had been the real instigator of the ter- ribie deed. Thereupon he signed the death warrants, appointing Friday, November 26, as the day of ex: ecution. i} 5 RUN OVER ON BROADWAY. | While cros#ing Broadway, near the Astor House, yes- terday afternoon, Mary Curtin, seventy years old, re- aiding at No, 8 Vandewater street, was knocked down and run over bya baker’s wagon, and bad her ary broken. She was conveyed to the Chambers = Hospital, and the driver of the wagon, Joba Me Was arrested. SUICIDE OF A WOMAN. The body of Mary Geier, a married woman, aged twenty-seven years, and living in Jefferson street, You- | | kers, was found in a cistern near the rear of her apart. | | ments, yesterday afternoon. Deceased, who is said to | nave lately evineed aymptoms of mental derangement, | been missing since Wednesday morning last. There that the unfortunate woman comsnitied | The bi | is no doubt | emeide Coroner wus notified of the @ leaves a family of small children. | pda | WILLIAM B. ASTOR’'S FUNERAL. | | The funeral of the Jato William B. Astor will take | | place to-day at Trinity chapel, in West Twenty-fitth | Btreet, atten o'clock A. M, Bishop Potter, the Rev. | Morgan Dix, D. rector of Trinity church; the Rev, | Hugh Mitier'rt on, rector of Christ church ; the Rev. Kdward U. Houghton, of the Charch of the Transfigura- tion, and the Key. John W. Moore will take part iu the | funeral eeremor The following persons will be the | all bearers: —Ex-Governor Jobn A. Dix, Indge Charles | , Daly, William M. Evarts, Charles G’Conor, Daniel | D. Lord, Alber) L. inlubin amd Tiaamnay WH. dugblow, D. | and said: | have | in accordance with the usages of the denomimation, to | ferred to the Examining Committee, | be up upon this case that should pre- j sent ft to any council and to the world in its trno ficht.” Such a document hag been prepared, and aithongh there are some reason why, 1 i { read it, there are other ona why I Tsiand at the hewd of Plymouth He moved that Rossiter W. Raymond be chosen moderator, and in the same breath pronounced that gentleman unanimously elected. He then left the plat. | form and took a seat on the floor, at the side o his brother, Dr. Edward Beecher, while Mr. Raymond assumed the chair he had vacated Mr. Halliday rose ‘Mra. Fanny West has sent a letter request- ing that her name be dropped from the roll of the Church,” The hush that followed this announcement was deathlike, Mr. Shearman moved that the letter be sent to the Examining Committee to report on, Mr. Halliday moved that Mrs, West’s request be | granted. Mr. Shearman said that Mr, West had requested him to have the matter laid over. Mr. Beecher rose, and im very deliberate toncs moved that the letter be referred back to the Examin- ing Committee for further report. ‘This motion was carried. Mr, Edgerton said:—“At @ meeting in ac- cordanee witha request of the Examining Commit- teo of this ehurch the church voted to drop the name of W. F. West from its roll, Tho next day a card appeared from Mr, West, in which he stated that ho had asked fora delay in the action of the church tn his case and that request had mot been granted, Now, after thinking the whole matter over and thinking | there must be some mistake, 1 visited Mr, West this | week. I found he was aggrieved that the church | had acted as itdid without hearing from him, as he | lad asked the Examining Committee to delay action in | his case, He said that if he bad known that the re- | quest would not have been granted, although he was | living out of town at the time, be would appeared before the committee. In thinking over all thia matter, and thinking that | perhaps we ought to learn what any member has to say, I think we ought to reconsider Mr, West’s case, Mr, Blair stated that he had been present at the meeting when Mr, West’s name was dropped, and bad | voted in favor of that action, but he now thought it | should be reconsidered, | ‘The matter was then further debated by Dr. Edward Beecher, Messrs, Hawkins, Raymond, Shearman and | Halliday, and the question, at Mr. Beecher’s urgent Fequest, was referred to the Examining Committee for | reconsideration. é | Mr. Beecher then requested Mr. Shearman to read | Mr. West's letter to the meeting. It was as follows :— No. 2 New York, ¥. 24, 1875, CHANC } To tae Muxnexs oy Pirwourm ‘Cuvucn, "Brooklyn, | Tg From the New York papers of the 5th inst, I learned | that on the evening of November 4 my name was | dropped from the roli of Plymouth church, and from the same source I also learned that a member of the Examining Committee who had called wpon me reported that I bad made no objection to the proposed dropping of my name, As this | nt placed me ina taise position I immediately published a card, stating that Thad te ceived only a few hours’ notice of the proposed meet ing of the chureh; had said to other gentlemen who had called upon me that other engagements would pre- vent my atiendance that evening, and bad asked him to request the Examining Committee to postpone action for a week, in order that I might have an opportunity | to communicate with them and exphiw the reasons for | | my absence from the church. I will now state those reasons, though it seems to me that they must already be known to you. You are aware that when Mr Tilton madé accusations of adultery inst Mr. Beecher, I, fram a sense of duty, as a mem. | ver of the chureh, instituted charges against Mr. Til | ton for having circulated and promoted scandals | derogatory to the Christian integrity of our pastor the these and injurious of Notwithstanding had been en Mr, Tilton’s to repatation charge: the E. and after | the church. | | cause, ling by nei of the great couusei of 1874, by whi | was condemned in the strongest terms, The “policy | of silence’ which was thus indorsed by you, | 1 ag inconsistent with the | the ministry and Icannot conscientiously consent to attend the services and sacraments of the church until @ regular and im- | partial investigation of the charges against the charac- | ter ofthe pastor shall be made by a properly consti- | tuted council. Meanwhile I protest against the dropping of my name from the roll without my con- sent Thoped that after the publication of my card you would at once cali a special meeting of the church and end as far make amends for the c a8 some three weeks have now elapse ved no communien- tion whatever froin ) A notification of the |* dropping of my name, 1 now request you to unite with me in ‘call mutual ” eouncil to consider the action t se, and to decide whether the dropping of ‘my under the cireum- stances, was just and in accordance with the polity of the Congregutional churches. I hope that you will unite with m | council, bat in case I do not hear from y answer to this request, I hereby give notice that I shall cail an ez parte council, vindicate my rights as a member of the Chu Christ, Yours respectfully, WILLIAM F, On motion of Mr. Beecher the letter was also re- | Mr, Beecher then gave out a hymn, during the sing, ing of which Mr. Shoarman disappeared aud soon re- turned with Mrs, Moulton’s lettor to the church pro- testing against her name being dropped, calling for a joint council and threatening legal proceedings, The | letter was read, and Mr. Shearman handed Mr. Beechor | 4 formidable roll of manuscript, Mr. Beecher then sald:— Mr. CuarRMAN—On the reception of this letter it med to me that it was very important that action should be taken by this church not only with care and wisdom only, but with promptness, and I at once con- sulted both stinn brethren in’ the ministry, with | the members of the Exarnining Committee and with several other of the brethren who happened to be within my reach, and requested that a document might | drawn reh, and, in reading av a letter, I read it eoply ag the answer to the letter of Mrs. Moulton, REPLY TO MRS. MOULTON. | Your letter requesting the calling of a mutnal council | to be at issue has been received | ‘ to advise Open questions supposed between yourself and this church and duly considered. ‘The attention of the Exam in the month of October, 187 ing Committee was called © the circtmnstances of | believers, was deemed by the commitiec and is deemed | which you alleged had been committed by another | to you necessary to enablo the church to render a | | proper judgment it was by your own act that such | | count | has been taken | your abandonment of the church, which was assumed | ove | adopted by ® unanimous vote. was only as-a persons, and that bever entel the church since Juve, 1816 "You alge eves, that rs had never since 1870 atvended any other church or pAace of worship These facta which were taken from your own lips, ated to the com- mittee as clear a case of ubandoument, not merel; of connection with this church, but of connection with ‘all Christian churches, ag it 1a easy to ine, and these facts remain undisproved by you up to the pres- enttime, The personal observation of the committees themselves and of numerous other mbers of the church confirmed your statement as to your total ab- sence from every form of meating at Plymouth church from June, 1874, to November, 1875. ‘The fact of your continued absence from thie and from every other chureb, and of your deliverate sepa- ration of yourself from every company of Christian by this church to admit of no dispute, When you a) peared befure the church you did not deny it or quali it. But you did aseign what you claimed to be an ex- cnse for i, That excuse was that you believed the pas- tor of this chureb to be guilty of acrime. The church would have regarded your belief in this respect as abundant justiication for a charge on your part ‘against the pastor made in the usual “way, ad- dressed either to the church or the Examining Committee, and demanding an investigation of bis case, Or if you might properly havo consulted with the officers of the church, i private, upon the case, or if auy circumstances made it impracticable for you to adopt either of thoke courses, such belief might per- haps have justified you in applying for a letter of dis- mission from this church and of recommendation to some other evangelical church. But if this church should accept such a plea as a justificatton of the total absence from all religious worship and of an entire dis- use of Christian ordinances it would estabhsh the prin- ciple that the real or imagined infidelity of one pro- fessed Christian ts sufficiet to jusufy the entire RENUNCIATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH and practice on the part of ail overs, No church ever did or ever will acknowledge any such doctrine. The existence of such @ fact, if it Wasa fact, called upon you for more diligence and not less in the performance of your religious duties. When, at last, you were visited by a member of the Examining Coro: mittee, and notitied of its contemplated action, you | made no request for delay and none fora trial, You did not even intimate a wish to receive a let- ter of dismission and recommendation; you appeared before the church at the — time appointed and were fully heard. You were by special indulgence allowed to appeal by professional counsel, who was nota member of any Congregational church, contrary to the usual practice of such churches, In the presence of your brethren you still made no request for delay, no demand jor a trial or investigation of any kind. You did not deny your absence from this and from every other church, You did not allege that you hati attended upon the preaching of the Gospel, or at public prayer, or at the Lord’s Supper, or at any public ministration whatever; nor did you pr fess that youever intended soto do, You stated that your absence was “enforced,” because of an evil action — member of the church, and while you nominally de- | clired your Willingness to perform your duties as a church member “go faras you could consistently”? with Four projessod Knowledge) of this offence, the ver language which you used at the time, as well iis your previous conduct for five years, made it plain, beyond all doubt, that what you meant was, that you would fulfil your covenant in the future only as you had | inthe past—that is to say—not at all, “And we are thus far unable to believe that you reaily feel a hard- ship to be deprived of the right of communion with us, When, upon your own showing, you have for nearly five years deliberately given up such communion on your part. Your objections, however, shall be re- stated in your own Janguage and reviewed in succes- sion, 1. You say that you have not had a “proper trial.” You did not ask for one, Yet you did have a full and Patient hearing, and could bave bad no more if you ad been placed upoh more formal trial Being asked whether you would auswer any questions concerning your cave, you peremptorily refused to do, 40 and declined to make ny other or further statement on that occasion, The church had there- fore all the facts before it which you were willing to give If further light seemed light was withheld, You bad the benefit of every safe- guard that could bave been given by a formal trial— a statement of the case against you, time to prepare for your defence, the advice of counsel, a full hearing of all that you wished to say, and the privilege of silence When you wished to say no more. 2 You say that the sufficiency of the reasong as- signed by you for your absence was not considered. In this you are entirely mistaken. The church voted to drop’ your name upon the precise ground that your rea- sons were wholly insufficient. We were not bound to pass any formal declaration to that effect. Gur vote upon the question then pending covered the whole ground. ee You complain that you were not arraigned for any unjust accusations against the pastor. In this we sup- pose that you refer to those contained in the statement made im your own defence before the church, But the church was and still is of the opinion that your accu- sations against the pastor, even if true, Would have constituted no defence for your past conduct. It cer- tainly believed them to be unjust and untrue, but it could not interrupt the orderly course of proceeding under which your past conduct was the subject of in- vestigation in order to put you on trial for an offence committed in the very midst of the investigation. If | such @ course were pursued trials would never end. 4. But ifyou complain because you were not arraigned ‘on account of your previous public testimony concerning the pastor of the charch, the answer is simple. So fur ay either the ehurch or the committee knew you had never made any statement impugning the purity of our pastor, except while you were testifying asa witness in a court of justice, and, as we were bound to assume, under compulsory process. The committee did not think that they would be justified in calling you to ac- | BEFORE THE CHURCH for the untruth of your language in court, and in a case | whith might again come to trial, with you again ap- | pearing as a witness. | For the truth or falsity of the statements there made | the church felt and still feels bound to leave you to | answer to other tribunals. Any other course | would have subjected us to the imputation of attempting to intimidate witnesses, and might have been considered @ contempt of court; and no action in your case upon the basis of your testimony, except as to that portion of it relating to to be true, It is not necessary to tell you that we have not the slightest belief in thé truth of your present statements concerning our pastor. We had investi- gated these mattews before, and after an examination last ing tor two months in the church and for six months in the courts we had come to 4 unanimous conclusion upon the subject. If we had renewed that investigation, even at your tnstance, there would have been more | bitter complaint of our insincerity in assuming to try again a case upon which we bad already pro- nounced judgment than there ean possibly be of the course which we have actually adopted. Nor is there anything in the question of ecclesiastical order wliich you attempt to raise that seems to us worthy of consideration. The rule under which your name was dropped was adopted unanimously by this church about ten years ago, while you were a member in full har- mony with us. It has been applied in about fifty cas without remonatrance trom you or from any of the per- sous a(focted by its operation, or so far as the rule it- self is concerned for any of our sister churches, many, if not most of which, as we are imformed, have ex- préssly or practically adopted a similar rule, The case, then, as it appears to us, ts briefly this:— You complain that we have acted under a rule which for ten years you have seen acted upon with reference to other members without opposition or objection, You cumplain that you have not had a STeCHNICAL” TRIAL for which you never asked, and when you have had a full hearing for every word that you and your counsel desired to say. You complain that we would not arraign you for unjust charges when neither you nor any one else had ever asked you should be so arraigned. You complain that we did not ex- amine into the truth of your supposed charges, while you never asked us to do so nor oifered to support any charges by proof, You complain of your expulsion from communion with this church when for five years you have deliberately excluded yourself from communion with this and all other churches. You complain that we have given you no recommendation to any other church, while you never expressed @ desire for any such thing. In short, your entire complaint 18 that we failed to do things which you never asked and do not even now ask to have done, with the single exception of the con- sideration of your excuses for the abandonment of tho church, and those we did fully consider and pass upon. You therefore request us to join you in cailing a coun- cil to advise upon questions which you never submitted u 0 us, Nevertheless, since we are at all times willing to listen to the advice af our brothers and ready to correct any error into whieh we may even unconsciously have fallen, we accept your proposition for the call of a mutual council of churches, and will hsten to their fraternal advice upon the six grounds of complaint ro- ferred to in your letter of November 12, namely :— 1, Whether you bad or were enutled w a proper trial 1 Whether yon ought to have been arraigned for unjust charges against the pastor of this charch. Ii. Whether we bad aright, in view of your con- fessed atid proposed absence from the communion of any ebureh for five years, to drop your name under our long established rale. 1V, Whether the excuses alleged by you justified | your course of prevented us from holding that you had abandoned your connection with us. V, Whether wo considered those excuses, Vi. Whether we ought to have given you @ recom. mendation to another church, By order of Plymouth church, THOMAS 8. SHEARMAN, Clerk. On finishing the letter Mr. Beecher said, “I submit this document as a proper reply of the church to the letter of Mrs. Emma ©. Moulton, and I also submit for your adopuon.” The letter was then ifnally 2 dhen followed between’ Messrs. Shearman, Blair and Beecher as to the proper steps A debs Raymond, which should be taken as to the calling of the jomt council proposed in the document just read and adopted, After some apparent trouble Mr. Beecher succeeded jn carrying bis point, | which was to have the entire details referred to the | Examining Committes, with power to select the | churches which should participate in said council, | the only restriction being that the committee waa | to report to the church from time to time. Tu carrying this prsut Me. Beochor was warmly supported by Mewers, Raymond.and Hawkins, and opposed by Mr, Shearman in @hat appeared to be quite a viole manner. On Ms, Begeher’s motion the weoting then | your case, which wgre substantially thy: Soumad. as | adiourned, MHEKALD reporter last might, said substantially as fol- BROKEN BANKS Failure of Four Institu- tions Yesterday. CONSTERNATION ON THIRD AVENUE The People’s, Security and Central Park Savings Banks Suspended. Winding Up the Manufacturers and Builders’ Bank. pe oS cl THE PROSPECTS FOR DEPOSITORS. That Third avenue is an unfortunate location for financial institutions was fully demonstrated yesterday by the closing up of four banks—via, the People Savings Bank, the Security Savings Bank, the Central Park Savings Bank and the Manufacturers and Builders’ Bank of Deposit The endden col- lapse of these banks, following so quickly upon that of the notorious Third Avenue Bank, caused no little consternation among all classes of citizens, and it was no infrequent thing to hear loud and angry lan- guage uttered against all banking institutions generally, and particularly against the officers of the three savings banks already named, for having, as it was claimed, continued to receive people’s money when they must have been aware of their insolvency. Owing, perhaps to the heavy rain storm, there were but few of the unfortunate depositors who visited the premises where their money is locked up. In fact, bnt for the closed doors and the presence of a policeman on guard one would have passed by without knowing that any- thing 80 serious as a stoppage had occurred, Even the few unfortunates who did visit the broken banks were assured in tho most dulcet tones by the different officials that their money was perfectly safe and they would only have to wait a | short time to get it in full, dollar for dollar. However, it appears from all the inquiries that were made that, with the exception of the Manafacturers and Builders’ Bank, there is considerable doubt about the capability of any of the others to meet their liabilities, except, perhaps, at a very heavy discount. The statements of the several banks and the information obtained from the officials 18 given herewith. THR CENTRAL PARK BANK. ‘The announcement mado by the Huraup that are- ceiver had been appointed to wind up the affairs of the Central Park Savings Bank doubtless prepared the de- positors for the closing of. the doors yesterday morn- ing, for there was nothing like any of the usual b.ette-7 ment around the premises that is usually attendant on abank failure, In fact there was no one present in the offices through the day cither to give information or answer inquiries. The President and Vice President could not found and no stdtement could therefore be obtained from them as to the assets and liabiliities. The following, however, correctly sets forth the condition of the bank last January, as sworn oly the officers and reported to the State Superin- tendent; ASSETS, Bonds and mortgages... $9,000 00 Real estate, cost and standing + 65,217 00 Cash on deposit ip banks or trust companies, 14,110 89 Cash on hand. Ss 0n 1,0M6 18 Rents unpaid, $502 66 Interest due. Furniture and fixtures. 3,405 82 TOtAl. ..cessessevveesecsevcresesever +» $92,778 85 LIABILITIES, Due depositors. + $48,996 90 Principal . 94 Interest cr . i cokes Seine memedinece <<, 208190. Other liabilities (due on bond and mortgage). 43,500 00 | Excess of assets ovor liabilities............. 281 95 Total....... cress ceceeee ss $92,778 85 Since the above report was made the complexion of affairs materially changed, and it appears that at the time the new building was occupied the whole of the depositors’ money had, with the ex- perbaps, of $5,000 or $6,000 in conta cash, been sunk’ in the building. With regard to the building and the manner 1m which the bank was run, the story is better told in the words of the Bank Supermtendent, Mr. Ellis, who, in conversation with a lows :— “at was by my order that the Central Park Bank closed. 1 have known for some time that they were not in & condition to go on with their busi- ness, and I apphed for the appointment of & receiver, This not being done, I peremp- torily ordered the bank to be closed up. The way in which my attention to the condition of affairs was called is as follows:—When the new building was completed.I was applied to by the president for permis- sion to allow the bank to move to its present location. Knowing that the business usually done was but small 1 did pot see what they wanted to change their offices for. I came on to New York and began an in- vestigation, when I found that the bank had purchased ‘the lot at the corner of Forty-cighth Street and built’ the present edifica’ ‘This was the first intimation I had that they had begun building. ‘The property had been bought and the build- ing erected with THE DEPOSITORS’ MONRY, which amounted to somewhere about $40,000 or $46,000. The total cost of the building and lot was, I | believe, about $76,000. On this sum was paid $40,000 and a second ‘mortgage given for tho balance to Mr, Gearty, the President of tho bank, who built the house, The first mortgage was, of course, held as security for the depositors. 1 found that there was existing, even looking upon this security as good, a deficiency of between $5,000 and $6,000, and until that was made good I retused ‘to sanc- tion any removal, while at the same time I had almost determined to close the institution. The President nally said he would make up the deficiency himself by writing of from his second mot $5,000, and giving one to the bank for the same amount, which he did. This made the bank apparently straight on paper, that is to say, the depositors had security for their money, It was then said that it would be a saving of the $2,000 a year rent which the bank was then paying if the re- moval was made, as they had on their hands the new building and ' might "as well occupy ik I at lyst gave my consent, and aiter this re moval was effected, some two or three woeks since, I continued to trequently look after the bank. Finding that the depositors were gradually withdrawing de- posits, the money for which was farnished by the $5,000 or $6,000 held back when the $40,000 was paid, I determined to close the matter.” A SINGUKAR FACT will be noticed im the above statement, which is that Mr, Gearty should not omy act as President of the bank, but be the builder of the premises, while at the same time ho is the Cities in this State. ‘Towns ia this State. Total.......... + -|$60,885} $66, 000 Amount loaned on public stocks... ‘Amount loaned ou stocks of private corpora. tions—via, Dry Dock, East Broadway and Battery Railroad stock; Third Avenue Rail- road stock, New York and Harlem Railroad stock, bank stock, Btock’..... Amonot loan privat tions—via., Central Pacific Rai ¢ bonds; Toledo, Wabash and West- 60, Loaned on personal securities. . Real estate—cost $78,460 43; market vulue, $87,400: standing ou books at $87,400..... Cash on deposit in banks and trust companies. 123,779 Casb on hand...... oeee 47 Amount of assets of every descrip- don not included under the above vin. i Resa Interest accrued, Furnitare and fixtures...... Estimated value of real estate over cost....., Wee ete eee ee * Estimated’ ‘vaiue of" piocks’ over °° COBB... eee ee teeta eee Claim secured by ‘bonds. Due depositors, viz: Principal......+-+.++ Interest credited for Jan’ 1875... . uary + sesseeee 16,290 41 Excess of assots over liabilities...... Total. seeeser No statement giving the details of the pi and liabilities of the bank wld be obtained yesterda; but it seems that since the failure of the Third Avenue Bank there has been a quiet but steady drain going on, footing up to a total of about $250,000. The estimated: liabilities to depositors is about $400,000, AN OFPICLAL OPINION, Mr. Ellis, the Bank Superintendent, denied last night that he bad given any authorization to the oank officials to make nag statement such as contained in the card given herewith, In fact, hoe said he lad Steadily persisted in expressing 10 opinion ag to the condition of the bank, bat he could ‘say shat the soppeee was brought about by no official action of his He could not give any idea as to how the bank stands, but he had always looked upon it as being per- fectly solvent, His examiners would at once mvesti- gate it, and the result of their labors would determine what steps he shonid take, ifany. He also gaid, in reference to i ‘THE PROPLE’S BANK, that he had made «pplication on the Ith inst to the Attorney General of the State to have a receiver ap- pone for the reason that the examination of the ooks, Which was completed on the 10th inst., showed there was no use for the bank to ep open; that it had sustained heavy losses since last July by the deprecia- tion in its securities, among which were @ num- ber of Southern bonds; and, further that the depositors were rapidly ‘withdrawing their deposits thereby precluding any possibility of the bank recog ating. In fact, the expenses were too heavy tor the 1 come, The bona signed by the trustees tor $47,500 he looked’ upon as perfectly good and one which they would be catled upon to pay. fo could give no idea of what the estate would pay to ts creditors, as that de ends so much on what the securities will realize, The following 18 the last yearly statement, made January 1, 1875:— Bonds and mortgages Stock investments, viz | Estimated) Stocks and bonds, | Cost. | Par | market value, | value. Stare, other than ts, New York.......|$25,787| $30,000] $20,900 Cities in this State.| 17,246) 17.000) 17,480 Towns in this Stay) 4,900} 6,000] 5,0u0 ‘Totals. bead $52,000] $43,380 |— 47,932° Cash on deposit in banks or trugt companies... $4,163- Cash on hand not deposited in bank........... 6,347 Amount of assets of every description not in- cluded in the above viz — Lease and improvements, Interest accrued. ...... Loaned on depositors’ pass book: Bond of sundry trustees............... 47,500 —— 69,676 Total. $260,419 Amount due to depositors :— Principal. see - $287,256 20 ; Interest credited Jan. 1, 1878. 6,203. ay 248,680 00: Other liabilities Excess of cost over market valueof stock., 4,552 50+ Excoss of assots over liabilities. ... : 2807 be POA visaduseg eee toseceee se vues « $250,419 166 On inquiring at the Dank oii the President, Mr. C. T. Rodgers, stated that the liabilities to the depositors would be about $175,000, What the assets are worth he said he could not tell. He looked upon the bond given by the trustees as perfectly good. The trustees were to have held a meeting yester: alternoon to decide upon what course to pursue, but up to a late hour had fatled to come together. He could not say what would be done, whether the bank would go into liquida- tion or whether it would attempt to resume. No re- ceiver bad been appoinied that he knew of. In fact the President appeared disinclined to furnish any more particular information than above given. MANUFACTURERS’ AND BUILDERS’ BANK. Tnis bank of deposit suspended payment yesterday. morning. The first notification of the event was found in alittle strip of paper pasted on the doors at the usdal opening hour, stating “that this bank will ge into liquidation and pay ail its indebtedness” The BLoppage Was a source Of wonderment to the public at large, as well as to the friends of the institution, al- though it had been a step under ounsideration by the- directors for some time past. The suspension wad: brought about by the general stagnation in trade and building, which has greatly interfered with the basinesq of the bank, it having hitherto a large clientele the contractors and others who have some tim amor since been hor pip in erecting blocks upon blocks of buildings in the neighborhood. These poople used ta keep large accounts with the bank; but all building operations have ceased of late there has bern a corresponding falling off i the bank’s business, Seeing no immediate prospect of improvement, it was determined to go into voluntary liquidation for the interest of all concerned. This bank, tt will be gpd riba Sh sh ele | extent by the failure of Heury Clews & Co. They loan that firm $150,000, taking as Collateral security $865,000 worth of Burlington and Cedar Rapids and other Fatl- road bonds. These bonds have been gradually realized on, and thus far there is but $50,000 of the debt remaining unsettled. ‘This, too, will, itis expected, be fully covered by the securities on hand, so that eventu- ally tho bank will sustain no loss, The locking up of 0 much money, however, at the time was a senous blow, and was one of the many causes which agsrsteu ‘ to bring about the present result, The following is « statement furnished by the officers yesterday, whieh’) clearly sete forth the condition of affairs:— Capital stock $180,000 second morugnges, and paid himself the $40,000 out of | State, ponds deposited with Bank Depart | the moneys entrusted to him for safe keeping by the 00 874,069 86. depositors, Mr. J. W. Carey, the Vice President, has, 5 887 07 it is understood, been busily engaged bat the paint | Bank notes, &c : 121550 00 ing on the building, inside and out No doubt these Pom ‘and ‘mortgages. 2 81,550 oF 4 model ollicers thought it but right thatthe money spent | Interest account. ey : 35501 should be retained and divided for the benetit of the | Bonds of county, “biaie aud tallronan aervetti brotherhood. , . The only Wonder among banking people genorally is | Eyre ee ee 2 Pose ge that the Central Park Bank was not closed long since, | protested notes probably 8176 35 for it has long been talked of What portion of their deposits the unlucky depositors will ever get back is a roblem difficult to solve, The dividend will in all proba ility be not more than thirty per cent, and it may ve | even vory much less, THE SECURITY BANK. The practical stoppage of the Security Savings Bank took every one by surprise yesterday morning, for it was looked upon with great favor and confidence, People at first refused to creait the fact, but when in- quiry was made at the office no further doubt existed, there they found posted on the glass partition enclow. ing the clerks’ desks the following cards :— POLO PELOOL EY POLE LE PO DEDE LE: POOOIE ROLLE LELE DE TE ¢ This Bank will decline to receive deposits or pay drafts until ap examination which hag been re. 3 {quested shall have been made by the State Superin-3 tendent, é Renee OOP ELLOLETEDOLEDPIOLEDIDOLOSEIOLOLE He DE DELE wn POLO TOOL LOLOL OIE ELEDOE LE MEE Mr. we Bank Superintendent, was gg a atthe bank this morning and states that “he has} every confidence in the solvency of the bank, and} that any statements purporting to have been inade ‘by fm regarding the appointment of a receiver eet the slightest foundation. He will ex- amiffe the bank on Monday. AOOOLE LOGE LOLE PELE DE TED LE LOOODEDELEDE DLOD DE, Mr. Commissioner D. D. T. Marshall was on hand throughout the day, and, in answer to all Inquiries, stated in the most emphatic terms that there exists no | Penal for any apprehension of logs vo the depositors, very claim would be paid in full The trustees, be ‘said, had simply determined, m order to avoid a'ran on the bank, to not receive any | more deposits and to avail themselves of tho | sixty days’ notice required by luw to be given by the depositors before withdrawing their money. This course will be followed until the Bank Superin- fendent has made an examination into the bank’s aflairs, “This is, of course, a practical suspension, but leaves us in & position,” said Mr, Marshall, "to go on or wind ap, a as the offidial exam- ination —_ shall our — exact condi- tion, ‘The aro all frat class, and will fully realize all they are set down for on the books.” This fact, it may here ve mentioned, was alterward verified by the reporter by inquiries made In othor quartera, Indeed, itis the genoral belief that ‘he sapk id ablg ho vay every one, There, howexer Total....see LIABILITIES. Capital stock... ,000 00 Due depositors, 230,525 15 Certified checks: 21,447 65 Debt to Chatham Bank. 54,767 79 Call loans... 51,000 Total, ‘THE GERMAN UPTOWN SAVINGS BANE, Thero was a rumor yesterday afternoon that there was aran on this bank, Oa inquiry being made, hor ever, it was found to be without the slightest foun tion, and no unosual bustle was noticed around | building. The President, said he did not anticip: any trouble, for they had—in order to prevent a, complicationsa rising—adopted the sixty day rule 1 bank, he said, was ia a first rate condition, but did th sitaply for the protection of all concerned. OTHER RUMORS, Tt was also rumored that several other savings ban had stopped payment, but these reports cor not be traced to any reliable sour a That somo of the weaker banks will ui wound up there 1s every reason to believe, as the Bank Department has been making a series of exami- nations latterly, aud the Superintendent declares hi intention to adopt vigorous measures whonever geos a bank in a bad condition—that is to say, where the assets are less than the liabilities, ANTI-TAMMANY COMMITTER, The ant!-Tammany, or as it now {s called, the “Reg- ular Democratic General Committee,” met last evening at ite headquarters in the Everett Rooms, on Fourth avenue, pursuant to the Iast adjournment, The ses- sion was secret, but the only subject of mpor- tance discussed there was the resolution which had been tabled at the previous meeting and related to the best means of distributing of controlling patronage. Colonel KE. B, Mart presided and among the attendance was ex-Sheriff O'Brien, The business transemted wae | BUpLly Of & Sone abardoten, , / %,