The New York Herald Newspaper, December 2, 1875, Page 3

SUNK IN THE ICE, Fate of the Steamer Sunny- side on the Hudson. ELEVEN PERSONS DROWNED A Lifeboat Capsized—A Ter- rible Scene. —— RESCUE OF SURVIVORS. Statements of the Captain, a Pas- senger and Others. Povaukerrsix, Dec, 1, 1875, You have alroady received brief intelligence relative to the disaster to the steamer Sunnyside, near West Yark, at two o'clock this morning, The story of tho heart-rending affair is best told by Captain Frank Leson, of the Sunnyside, who has made the following etatement to me:-— “We left Troy at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon, and on reaching Albany took the steamer Golden Gate in tow astern to follow us down, and proceeded as far as New Baltimore without encountering much fca, At the latter place the ice was wedged in from there to Kinderhook, when we brought up in it on account of a windrow across: the chan- nel. A barge, two canal boats and four propellors lay there all blocked in. We worked ahead and back and finally worked through, but parted our hawser to the Golden Gate and made up our minds we could not get that vessel through, and we came on and left her lying there. Afterward we didn’t have very heavy ice. We worked slowly all the way from there to West Purk. The ice was very heavy at the Jatter place in spots, We used great caution so as not to cut our vessel, The mate, Jacob Burhans, stood watch with three others in the forward cabin and fore- castle to see that the steamer made no water, I re- mained on watch ull we got down to Barrytown. Before 4 turned in I said to the pilot, Mr. Whittaker, “What do you think abont the ice?”’ He replied that he thought that we were through the heaviest of it. So I went to my room and went to bed. This must have been about twelve o'clock, At two in the morning I was called up by orders from the engineer, Mr. Parsall, who said the boat was MAKING WATRR PAST. I dressed myself and went down to the forward cabin, ‘nd through into forward of the bulkhead and found ihe mate, who had tofn the joiner work away to find the jeak. ‘The water was then running rapidly across the for- ward cabin floor and thore was about two feet of water on the starboard bilge 1m the forward cabin. I went down to the engine and looked in,between the keelson and found that the water was nearly up to the top of the tngine keelson, I made up my mind then that we touldn’t save her; that she would sink. I sent one of the waiters to wake up the womon in the ladies’ saloon and tell them to come up into the stateroom hail forward. I then went to the pilot house. Watson Dutcher, the pilot, was at the wheel, 1 told him to put the steamer ashore to the westward. He hove his wheel hard @ port and pat her ashore near Russell's dock, at West Park, This was about 2:30 A.M, I then ordered the mate to LOWER AWAY THE LIVE BOATS. Two of the boats hung in a crane aft on the quarter; I also told him to run a hawser ashore; the mate lowered the boat and rowed ashore, the ice bemg strong and shick all around us. Then we lay head on the flats and bur engine was still working; before he could row the boat up the beach the steamer filled with water and slid off the flats alongside the channel bank. Then he pulled the life boat up to the vessel and I ordered all the passengers on the forward promenade deck, myself and one of the dremen helping them up. Next I passed three women into the lifeboat, when quite a number of men Jumped into the boat also; I tried to keep as many back as 1 could, but they were panic stricken, {yelled to the mate to shove the boat pf to the shore. All this time the steamer was settling fast, and the water came up into the pilot house, 1 shouted to, everybody to go away aft on tho hurricane deck, as the vessel was going down head foremost, All the crew assisted me in getting the people off. The mate bad not got over fifteen or twenty feet from the feamer, with his lifeboat full of people, before it cap- sized. A terrible scone ensued. There mast have been eighteen persons in the boat, The mate swam ashore, and the others that were saved swam back to the steamer. In all probability all that were lost were rowned from the capsizing of the lifeboat. Their shouts and cries for aid must have been heard for a long distance. As quickly as possible I took a boat trom the starboard side, and, with our head waiter and fleck boy, tried to get around to the people in the wa- ter, but the heavy ice prevented me, The cries for belp continued for about ten minutes, and then ALL WAS STILL. We launched the big boat from the upper deck, which was even with the water, the vessel at that time veing 200 feet irom shore, I took the boat with the second engineer, Jerry Deyo, and finally reached the papsized boat, She was bottom up, anda man laid on her on his'back, with his feet in the water and Ice and yearly dead. We took him on board the steamer, and puthim inthe pilot's room and covered him. with blankets, Then I heard a noise on the outside of our port wheelhouse, which was only two feet out of water. We worked the boat through the ioe to the spot where the cries emanated from, and found an elderly lady groaning. She was lying on the ice five feet from the wheelhouse. Her body was in the water partly, her arms holding her up. She was still alive. With great difficulty we got her into the boat, and took her to the steamer and pit herin the wheelsman’s room and covered her with blankets, but she died about two hours after. We then went to work to constract A ROPE PERRY from the steamer to the shore, At this time sixty Persons were crowded together on the hurricane deck aft, the wind biowing hard and the air bitter cold. We got the line ashore and succeeded in getting all offin safety, afler they had been om deck for two hours, clinging to rods and masts. We placed them in the large boat and pulled the boat along by the rope ferry tothe shore. On reaching the shore, they clambered up the rocks and made their way to the farmhouses im tho viciniiy, where every attention was given them. By this time | was nearly exhausted and was attacked with cramps and bad to be as. sisted to a hoose near by, From the time Twas first called till =the steamer sunk filteen minutes’ time was mot comsumed. We saw a tow going down on the east shore and we tried to make them hear wis, but we failed. Our bell was kept tolling, our whistle kept blowing till the water quenched the firesand shut off the steam, and sixty persons were Bhouting as oud a8 they could, but no attention was Paid to us, Then we sighted the steamer Walter Brett coming north on the east shore. Bhe landed at Ryde Park dock, and again we signalled loud in every way for aid, but after lying at the dock ten or fifteen min- tates she passed on without noticing us. She must have beard us. While we were constructing the rope ferry a young man, named Walter Dumont, of West Park, approached us with & small boat and worked heroically. He took twelve persons from the wreck and Junded thom In safety, He was the only person who succeeded in reaching us from the shore, though many were trying to do so. Idon’t think that over eleven porsons were drowned, and ‘THR LIST, as far as we can get at it, is as follows Sarah Butler and Susan Rex, of New York (colored), whambermatis, John Howard, of Now York (colored), officers’ waiter. Samuel Rutledge, of New York (colored). Matthew Johnson (colored), waiter, Albany. Second Cook George 8. Greene (colored), Norwalk, Yonn. Mrs. Haywood, of Tenafly, N. J. Mrs. Stewart, New York. “ An Irish girl, name unknown, called Bridget, former- ys laundress; worked for Mrs Mack, in Troy, Her friends reside in Jorsey City. An elderly lady, name unknown, white hair, short gud stout, light complexion; gos on board at Troy; | the muff away and held om to mother, supposed from the description given to be Mrs. Walker, of Troy. An anknown Frenchman, a pedier of silks and jewel- ry, Is also lost, The body of the elderly lady was, as previously stated, recovered, ANOTHER STATEMENT. When Captain Tesog finished his statement, Poter Smith, a telegraph messenger at Hyde Park, made the following statement, “1 saw Peter Flynn, of Barrytown, one of the aeck- bands of the Walter Brett, this morning. He said he heard the whistle blowing and bell ringing and thought eamer Thomas Cornell.” A PASBBNGER’S STORY. One of the passengers saved is Miss Lena W. Bron- son, of Tenafly, N. J. I visited her at a farm house where she was lying in bed, and in the presence of the household she made the following statement :— “Myself and mother, Mrs. Haywood, ovcupied state room No. 5on the Sunnyside. We were awakened by knocks on our door and were told to hurry out, We were only half dressed and as we came out saw all the Passengers hurrying ap stairs and greatly ex- cited, They told us thero was not much danger as we were eur the shore ‘They told us we had time to dress and we went back and dressed and when we came out again they told us to hurry to the upper deck. Captain Teson and another man helped us and told us to go into the pilot house, We were there ashort when they told us to get into a rowboat which was waiting. I got in first and mam- ma next and sho seated herself by my side. Mamma shouted to the men to ge on, but they waited for more and when the last one got in tho boat filled with water and sunk. When I went into the water 1 made my feet and arms go as best I could. 1 didn’t see mamma afterward. They told me she shrieked, but I didn’t hear her. My father lives in New Jersey.” Miss Bronson is about exxteen years of age and Mrs. Haywood was her stepmother, Miss Bronson was res- cued by two other passengers, young men, named James Sanford and H. W. Dauchy, of New York. Both were in the small boat when it upset, The young girl caught hoid of Sanford’s coat and he managed to swim along with her to the metting on the railing of the bur- ricane deck of the steamer and hauled her on board, All three were fimally rescued by the brave Walter Dumont. The clerk of the boateays there were only eight pas- Sengers on board and that his passenger list is lost. THR SUNNYSIDE was built im Brooklyn im 1866, for North River work, and cost $125,000, She was afterward sold to the Cit- izens’ Svamboat Compgny, of Troy, for $70,000. She had ona light freightfifty barrels of pork, twenty tons of paper, 200 kegs of spikes, a team of horses and carriage. He could learn nothing about the in_ surance, The work of grappling for the bodies lost from the small boat will commence immediately, Mr, Bltinge, Justice of the Peace of Highland, has taken charge of the unknown elderly lady’s body, and has already commenced am inquest, He will be aided by the District Attorney of Ulster county. All on board ‘the ill-fated steamer speak im the highest praise of the coolness and courage of Captain Teson in his ¢iforts to save life. His pilots and engineers and the mate stood by him manfully in all the trying moments. All of them manned the rope ferry and worked gallantly, The rescued people are also loud in their praises of the kindness and hospitality shown them by the farmers in the vicinity of the disaster. They threw open their doors to them, gave them FOOD AND SHRLTER and set apart their own private rooms for the accommo- dation of the safferers. The Sunnyside now lies within 200 fect of tho shore off West Park in forty feet of water. Nothing isvisible bat portions of her hurricane deck, pilot house and smokestacks, One smokestack has been torn away by the ice, and the drifting ice is fast tearing the upper works of the vessel to pieces, Captain Tysen and engineers and pilots are still near the wreck in comfortable farmhouses. Mr. Joseph Cornell, Superintendent of the Citizens’ Company, arrived on the scene at about two P, M., and it is probable that an ettempt will be made to tow the wreck to New York. Frank Walker, of Troy, has arrrived at West Park, be- lieving thetunknown elderly lady {s his mother. A score of waiters and crew and potatoe speculators who were on board left for Newiprk at noon. Some think that one or two bodies found on the steamer when she is raised, but Captain Teson is almost positive that the eleven referred to include all that were drowned. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. MISS BRONSON’S RESCUE—COWARDLY MEN THE CAUSE OF THE TRAGEDY. Hiauiaxp, N. Y., Dec, 1, 1875, ‘The body of the unknown 61d lady has been recog- nized as that of Mrs. Walker, of Troy. By permission of Coroner McKenzie her friends have removed it, The whole blame of the upsetting of the boat con- taining the women is cast on three men who jumped into it-one a burly German passenger, who, even when safely housed, continued to cry out, “Oh, 1 am going to die!” and “I lose all my silver spoons too.” Thave just seen Dr. Lamaree, who attends Mrs. Hay- wood’s daughter. Her shoulder was dislocated. Other- wise sho was not seriously hart. The lady whose name has beon mentioned as Mrs Haywood, of Tenafly, is Mrs. Bronson, She was a Hay- | wood. Miss Bronson, who was saved, says:—‘‘When ‘we were thrown out of the boat I had one band in my muff, and with the other I held my mother. I threw Aman near us pushed me on the deck of the Sunnyside, and I clam- vered to the pilot house. In this were several men, who asked me whatI wanted. 1 said I wanted to get in, One of them cried out, ‘I can’t help you; I am almost frozen myself.’ ‘If I were in your place,” I said, crying, ‘I would help you.’ Then they came out and put me inthe pilot house. Even then I was freezing. Boon after | was rescued.’ DISASTERS ELSEWHERE. TWO MEN THIRTEEN HOURS ON A LEDGE IN A TEMPERATURE TWELVE DEGREES BELOW ZERO—THEIR RESCUER. i PortLanp, Me., Deo. 1, 1875. On Tuesday morning residents of Richmond Island discovered @ small boat ashore on Watts’ Ledge, and on pulling over they rescued two men, named George Wallace and Charles Parker, who were badly frozen and nearly dead, They stated upon recovering that they belonged in Round Pond. They had left Cape Small Point on Monday morning for Boston, and a mist on the water caused them to lose their way and the boat went on Watts’ Ledge They remained thirteen hours on the ledge, with the mercury twelve degrees below zero. They were frequently drenched with spray, and kept in constant motion to prevent freezing until they wero exhausted, some time before being rescued. The cutter Dallas has gone to Richmond Island to bring them to the Marine Hospital, THE STEAMER PHIL SHERIDAN BURNED ON LAKE ERIE—A SCHOONER ON THE ROCKS. Dernorr, Dec. 1, 1875. The three. masted schooner Bridgewater is amidships on the rocks near Wongoschance Lighthouse, loaded ‘with 40,000 bushels of wheat for Buffalo, ‘The steamer Phil Sheridan took fire when a short distance from Buffalo, at two o'clock Tuesday after- noon. As the efforts of the crew to subdue the fire were unavailing, they took to the boats and were picked up and brought here by the steamer ~—_, The Sheridan was a freight boat hy ag to Ward's Duluth line. She was insured against fre for $10,000 bs tes Detroit Fire and Marine, and $10,000 in the ‘oyal. LATER—ARRIVAL OF THR CREW AT DETROIT. The crow of the propeller Phi! Sheridan reached this city this afternoon on the schooner Annie R. Craig. They report that the propeller caught fire on Lako Erie yesterday alternoon, aud was consumed to tho water’ edge in less than balf an hour, Her crew were rescued by the steam barge Trader, The vaiue of the Sheridan and her cargo was about $30,000; partly insur ed, THE CONNECTICUT BLOCKADED BY ICE. Harrtrorp, Dec, 1, 1875. The ice which was floating im the Connecticut River in large quantities yesterday is blocked at various Fake to-day, and above the bridge here the river is rozen over solid. This $s only the second occurrence of the kind as early as December 1 in forty years, pen ia. rentaherat saitey CLOSE OF RIVER NAVIGATION, The People’s Hudson River line of steamers have ‘veen laid up for the winter. The Daniel Vrew made her Jast trip Tuesday afternoon. The superintendent gave the captain and pilot strict orders not to proceed if there were indications of danger, After running to New Baltimore and finding the ice pretty thick they drow up to the landing there and discharged the sengers, at ing despatches from. New York, The Drow returned to this city yesterday, THE COLLEGE REGATTA ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING YESTERDAY AT SPRING- FIELD—ELECTION OF O¥FICERS—GREAT COM- PLAINTS ABOUT S8ARATOGA—NO DECISION AR- RIVED AT AS 2O THE PLACE FOR NEXT YEAR— TOM HUGHES, OF BNGLAND, TO BE INVITED. Sreinayme.p, Mass., Dec. 1, 1875. The annual meeting of the Rowing Association ot American Colleges was held at the Massasoit House in this city to-day, but resulted practically in deciding nothing, other than that the race or races shall take place on or about the 19th of July next, and that Mr. Thomas Hughes, the well known English- man, be invited to act as referee, The important questions of place and style of race were left with other minor, bat important matters to be de- cided atan adjourned meeting to be held ai the Filth Avenue Hotel, in New York, on the 4th of January next, The Convention was a very full one, every one of the fourteen colleges now belonging to the associa- tion being represented as follows:— Amherst, G. W. Cloak, H. 8, Red@eid; Bowdoin, Oliver ©. Stevens, C. Sargent; Brown, £. H. Luther, 8. J. Bradbury; Columbut, B. F, Reese, J. T. Goodwin; Cornell, J. N. Ostrom, A. M. Ensign; Dartmouth, B. C, Carringan, B, 14, Robinson; Hamilton, N. W. Coawell, | B. ©, Stringer; Harvard, W. F. Weld, G. M. Cummings; Princeton, William A. Butler, Jr., Benj. Nicoll; Trinity, B. E. Warner, H. V. Rutherford; Union, B. Brockelman; Wesleyan, W. C. Wallace, J. W. Whit- ney; Williams, J. H. Haynes, R. ©, Halsey; Yale, E. P. Howe, R J. Cook. ‘Trinity, which did not com- pete in the last regatta, on account of tho death of Cameron, one of her crew, was reinstated in member- ship, and, after considerable debate, an amendment to the constitution was adopted providing that like cir- cumstances in future shall not work forfeiture of mem- bership. THE ELECTION OF OFVICERS resulted as follows:—President, 0. G. Stevens, of Bow- doin; Vice President, B. E. Warner, of Trinity; Seere- tary, N. W. Cadwell, of Hamtlton; Treasurer, J. H. Haynes, of Williams, These preliminaries over, the important work of the association, THE SELECTION OF A COURSE for the next college regatta began in good earnest, and an animated, but not in the least acrimonious, discussion followed, which lasted, with an interruption for dinner, till late in the afternoon. The report of thie Regatta Committee, which was read during this time, reflected severely upon the local’'management of this year’s re- gatta at Saratoga, declaring that while the Saratogians were profuse in their promises they fulfilled many of them only when compelled to do so, and others not at all, The report intimated, and several members of tho assogiation afterward declared, that it would be better to row even on an inferior course if the collegtans could deal with gentlemen. There was a very strong Tegatta to be made again one of the attractions of 8 show town,” of of | throwing | them- selves or their race at all into the hands of outsiders, professional or otherwise, On this point the Convention was unanimous, as was most clearly mani- fested by the action taken regarding the programme already issued by the Centennial Committee of the Senaplil’ Navy. The. Convanliah cnaulasoualy. der cided to ignore utterly the proposed International Cen- tennial regatta at Philadelphia and to take into its own hands any International college races that may be deemed desirable. As is natural, the New England colleges favored strongly a course nearer home than Saratoga, and wero about equally divided as to the superior advantages of Springfeld or New London, Yale, Amherst and Trinity rather preferring Spring: field; Harvs Dartmouth; Bowdoin favoring New London, and Williams perfectly indifferent, but against Saratoga. THE ROWING oF THE RACK. ‘There was a good deal of talk about rowing the race in heats, and evidently a growing feeling that that style 4 of Bynes J is fairer to the contestants, aside from the Parapeccipe dl xg | increased interest it would throw into the contest for the spectators. But whether to make only two heats and then let the winners row off, or divide {t into several heats of three or four boats, each extending it over two or three days, andso ar- ranging the heats as to give each crew one race with every other crew, after the manner of bail and billiard matches, the delegates were unde- cided, It was finally voted by a good majority “to row the race in heats if the water will permit.” But just what that last clause meant no one seemed to i know, and the matter was practically left for further | consideration and probable amendment, The discus- sion over, the subject of heat races and the quest‘on i of place Brought out euch a rambling and unesatisfac- tory discussion and was so protracted that the coming darkness of evening found the Convention still as far from decision as at the opening, and finally it was resolved to postpone the matter to an adjourned meeting to be held at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, the Regatta Committce being Instructed to in- vestigate the subject in the meantime and roport at the adjourned meeting. They were also instructed to receive sealed proposals from the citizens of Springtield, New London and Saratoga, of what each ts willing to do in the way of providing accommodations. These sealed proposals are to be opened by the Regatta Committee at the same time and in the presence of all the mem- bers of the committee, ROWING WITH COXSWAINS. There was a burried discussion over a motion to row with coxswains, but the opposition to any innovation 1m that respect was very strong and the motion was voted down almost unanimously. ‘The question of referee | brought out the only centennial bombast of the meet- ing; and for afew minutes there was enough of it to make up for all the previous lack of it. It resulted in & resolution, carried by a good majority and alterward made unanimous, to invite Tom Hughes, of Oxford, England, fame, to act in that ition, with ' Mr. Chitty, of the London Rowing Club, agifirst substitute, and Mr. Wat- son, the refereo, this year, in case the Englishmen decline. The movement in favor of the foreigners is in no sense a reflection on Mr, Watson’s decisions. This year, no criticism was made at the meeting, he being the first choice of the Convention after tho Englishmen. The only other business transacted was } the election of the Regatta Committee and the adop- tion of a resolution placing in their hands all matters not specially provided for, AN INTERNATIONAL RACK. On the subject of iternational race the Conven- ton was not enthusiastic; tm fact, was very indiffer- ent. The prevailing opinion was that if any such race was had it should occur at the time and place of the Association’s regatta and not at Philadelphia, and should be purely on the American style, in six-oared boats, without coxswains. The matter was finally left in the hands of the Regatta Committee, to report at the January meeting. THE REGATTA COMMITTER. ‘The Regatta Committee consists of J. EF. Eustis, Wesleyan, 74 (who was on the committee this year); EF. How , Columbia, '74, and S.A. McCall, Dart’ | mouth, ’% LIFE SAVING STATIONS. SITES FOR BUILDINGS ON THE JERSEY COAST— NEGLECT OF THE COMMISSION APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR BEDLE. ‘Trextox, N. J., Dec. 1, 1875. ‘The Legislature of 1872, stimulated by an act of Con- gtess, passed an act to provide building sites for life saving stations on the coast of New Jersey, of which the following is the first and most vital section :— Be it enacted, &c., That the Governor shail nomi- nate three citizens of this State, who shall be confirmed by the Senate, who shall be a commission, with author- ity to procure for the State, by purchase, the title to any and selected by the Secretary of the Treas- ury or his agents, for the purpose of erecting any buildings connected with the life saving stations, and not to exceed one-half of an acre of land, at any one | point on the New Jersey coast, at such prices as said commissioners, or a majority of them, may decree fair | and just; and the title to the same to be taken in the name of the State of New Jersey. Congress had made an appropriation for the building of additional life saving stations on the coast of New Jorsey, and in consequence of difficulties having | arisen in procuring from the owners of lands proper sites, &c., it was deemed necessary for the Legislatare | ‘to pass the act. Governor Parker appointed Messrs. Charles Haight, Charles Hendrickson and Sidney Fur. man as Commissioners to carry out the act, These | gentlemen have failed to perform their duties, in tact | they have never taken any step in that direction. Con- | sequently mariners, sea-taring men and citizens living | ten the coast have been complaining about the neglect of the Commissioners, and of the inadequate number of life saving stations. They say the coast is devoid of proper means ‘to ‘protect and save life, and they justly clamor for the carrying out of the provisions incorporated in the act of the Legislature, Governor Bedle having been ap. led to in the maiter, and the grievances having been before him, he is about to adopt measures to re- mind the Commissioners of the duties for which they were appointed, and in order to have the mach needed work of philanthropy carried out he will also call the attention of the coming Legislature to it in his annnal Message. The tardiness and indifference of the Com- missioners are widely ceneured. The Secretary of the Treasury has already performed his duty in the prem- izes, but it amounts to nothing as long as Messrs. Haight, Hendrickson and Furman fail to act, THE JERSEY ELECTION FRAUDS. The trial of George P. Plimley and Thomas Gilligan, for frauds on the ballot box, in the Tenth district of Jersey City was concluded yesterday in the Court of Quarter Sessions, The jury rendered a verdict of guilty, The prisoners altered the returns in the oll book so as to elect Marmaduke Tilden Alderman, ir, Archibald Whyte, however, appealed to the Court, and was awarded the seat. 0 Clerk of Election, William Eltringham, wae convicted and ts now serving & term of six months in the Penitentiary, en Browning, Judge of Election, pleaded guilty, The parties were remanded for sentence, feeling among the delegates against permitting the | | the MOODY AND SANKEY. WORKING UPON SINNERS—THE METHOD PUR- SUED—THE WATOHFULNESS OF THE EVAN- GELISTS YOR WAVERING SOULS—THE EFFECTS OF MR. SANKEY'S SINGING—INCREASING IN- TEREST IN THE REVIVAL—LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. Purmapexrma, Dec. 1, 1875. The revival meetings are growing in interest. Adopt. ing the business-Irke plan of first addressing Christians arid preparing and urging them to help ‘work in the vineyard,” Mr, Moody has now settled himself to the real task before him, and since Sunday last has been directing his efforts entirely to the salvation of the unconverted by direct appeals to them, In this he is at ease, and in this is his great power and strength. He now asks professing Christians to stay away from the services unless they will assist in the inquiry rooms and add their best efforts to his to secure converts by personal solicitation, He labors hard himself and he expects all who are with him to do the same. Mr. Sankey’s singing is a revelation of the possibili- ties of church music. He often prefaces his songs of praise by reciting the Scripture passage on which they are founded, and whenever he does »o his rich, musical voice brings out the full signification of the words, contrasting greatly with the rough, often harsh deliv- ery of Mr. Moody. Sometimes, when Mr. Moody asks him to sing as a solo “The Ninety and Nine,” “What Will the Harvest Be ?”’ or some other favorite hymn, he waits until the multitude listen with breathless interest, and then, instead of singing, he offers an earnest prayer that the Lord’s praises may find an echo tn tho hearts of those present, and that be may be enabled so to sing that some one may be bronght to the Saviour’s feet. ‘Thus he trios to bring bis hearers into sympathy with him. There is never anything of seif-cousciousness evident in what he does. He seems to stand behind the Cross and to forget himsolf. “WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BE?” is the hymn that seems to touch most deeply the hearts of the people, and Mr. Sankey sings it prayerfully. I happened to be present when he was teaching the choir of 300 voices how to sing the chorus of this touching melody, and his procedure gives a good illustration of the character of the man. He sang the solo seated at the molodeon, then they the chorus, with very few words on his part, except of praise and encouragement, until the last verse was Teached. ‘Now very softly, {{ you plcase—as softly as you can.” The 800 volces were heard almost as loudly as before. He shook his head and smiled. “Please sing very softly—that 1s too loud. 1 will sing | again, then please remember to sing very faintly.” ‘Thee800 voices were still not managed to suit him, but all he said was, “Let us pray.” ‘Then he prayed fer- vently that all might unite in singing that hymn so as to produce as great an effect as possible upon the hearts of those who were to hear it. ‘‘Now we will sing {t over again.” They did so, and this time the method was perfect, without another word of criti- cism. THIS WEEK'S WORK. The first meetings this week were very successful, bundreds rising for prayer and going into the inquiry rooms at the conclusion of the services, Here Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey talk personally with each of the repentant ones, with the assistance of the class of Christian workers, whose organization I have beforo spoken of. Yesterday and to-day the attendance has been smaller, especially at the morning meetings, on account of the sudden and intensely cold weather. Hereafter the early morning meeting is to be abol- ished and the hour changed to noon instead. This is done not only on account of the cold, but also to ac- commodate people from the surrounding country who desire to come to the city and return the same day. Theyoung men’s meetings, over which Mr. John Wanamaker presides, are very successful, as far as “out- ward. and visible signs” are concerned. The attend- ance is increasing ateach one. They are held every evening after the regular services, and as older persona have been crowding into them a father’s meeting has been organized. THE EVENING MEETING. The cold weather did not keep 10,900 people from crowding into the Depot church to-night, fower church members being observable than usual. The great body of the assemblage was evidently of tho lower classes. ‘The services were more than usually interesting. Mr. Sankey sang his sweetest songs, the “Ninety and Nine” and “What Shall the Harvest Be?” Mr, Moody’s sermon was from the text, “The Son of Man is to come to see and save that which is lost.” He earnestly urged the overilowing mercy of God. We noed not strive to be saved, he said. The Lord is seek- ing us all and asks us to accept His mere fis discourse was overflowing: with anecdotes and striking illustrations. “Mark,” he said, “Do you not hear a still, small voice? Do you not hear your heart throbbing, Uirobbing, throbbing? That is the Son of God knocking. Will you not let him in? What does he say? Does he not say that he stands knocking at the door, and that if any man opens the door and lets Him in He will abide with that man? On! will you not let the Lord in? Ho 1s always seeking you lovingly.” Mr. Moody was unusually earnest in inviting all who were not Christians to go into the inqury rooms, where he would gladly talk with them and answer thelr ques- tions. Two hymns were sung at the close, and Mr. G. H. Stuart and other Cbristian gentlemen industriously wentabout among the assemblage urging all who retained their seats to come into the Inquiry rooms. All pro- fessing Christians having been invited to rise during the singing at least 200 or 300 men and women went to the inquiry rooms, PLYMOUTH CHURCH. THE SCANDAL REFUSES TO BE SILENCED. No immediate prospect exists that the Brooklyn scandal will allow its indecency to be withdrawn from public attention, Mrs. Moulton’s letter demanding a | council of churches upon the action of Plymouth church in dropping her name from Its list of members after her voluntary absence from the church ser- vices for lve years, and after giving her « hearing, assisted by legal counsel, met with an unex- pected assent from the church end its pastor, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. Their answer, acceding to the call for @ council, was served upon Mrs. Moulton on Monday last. She has not yet replied. Mr. Beecher’s friends say they do not in the least fear the action of the council if it should undertake to sift the question of the pastor’s relations to the Tilton family. They | wish, for the sake of public morality, that only the subject of Congregational usage in reference to Mrs. Mgulton’s excision shall be considered by the council, but if Mrs. Moulton insists on giving the inquiry wider scope they are confident that it will result in the advantage of the Plymouth preacher. Last night it was stated that Mrs. Moulton was writing her reply, which will probably come before the church to-morrow evening, Membersof thecharch contradict the recent statements of Captain 0, C, Dun- can in reference to his appearance before the Examin- ing Committee of the church to give the reasons for his prolonged absence from the church services, Mr. William F. West, who was dropped from mem- bership, and whose case has since been reconsidered, had an interview yesterday with the committee, Later in the day he addressed to the church at large the fol- lowing letter, in which he insists upon a council of churches to specially consider the scandal and adjudi- cate upon the guilt or innocence of Mr. Beecher:— ‘MB, WBST’S LETTER. New York, Dec. 1, 1875, To tae MBsMBRRS oF PLYMOUTH CuURoH, Brooklyn, N.Y. Dean Bretarny—I thank you for your promptness and ananimity in reconsidering the vote by which my name was dropped from the roll of the church, At tho request of the Examining Committee I ap- peared before them this morning and stated the rea- sons for my absence trom thechurch. While they gave me no advice, in the technical sense of that hye sed un- derstood from them that they thought it to be my duty either to withdraw from the church or, in future to attend its services. I do not see that T can honestly and conscientiously take either course, and as I said to the committee that I should make any further communication directly to the church, I will now state to you wherein I differ from the views expressed by the committee, and pro- pose a plan by which I think all difficulties that exist between us may be settled. In the first place, I be. lieve that Lam right in the request which I have made tor a complete and regular investigation of the scandal which has so long troubled the peace of our church; and 1 believe, moreover, that it is stil my duty as a member of the church to obtain an investigation, if it be posslble, by y fair and honorable means. Therefore, 1 cannot consent to voluntarily sever my connection with the church while a way is still open for the performance of this duty, As regards my attendance at the services and sacramonts of the church, I can only repeat what I stated in my former letter to you, that I cannot con- scientiousty attend them until a regular and impartial investigation of the charges against the character of the pastor shall be made by a ee. constituted council. Such investigation at the present time is especially imperative, because oar church {s not unanimous in ite belief in the innocence of ow this feeling of doubt and apprehensi by thousands of Christian men throu; and women jout the land, Therefore, inasmuch as charges of adultery and perjury have been made against our stor, and as, in my opinion, a eye investigation js hecessary for the vindication of the innocent and for the preservation of the peace and purity of the church, Thereby request you to unite with me in calling a mo: tual council, to which shall be submitted the following questions :-— First—Is the Rey, Henry Ward Beecher guilty of adultery? Second—is the Rey, Henry Ward Beecher guilty of hope that it may be perjury? I make this. proposition with tl indicating the character of our pastor, and should this be the result, no one will rejoice there tho means of NEW YORK HKKALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1875.—TRIPLE SHEET. at more heart)!; ‘gut Ibope the charch will meet me frankly fectior ‘she spirit tn which I approach them, and wil ite with me in a reference Of this whole subject to a council which will be able to — the differences that now unbappily exist As this matter is of such great tmportanee, I solicit mimediate action on the part of the churoh, and that no Ume may be lost, beside sending this letter to the clerk, I shall cause a copy of it to be published tn the morning papers, in order that it may the sooner reach the members of the church, Yours, here EST. WILLIAM F, ONVICTED. FRAUD ON THE POST OFFICE—A POSTMASTER CLEARED OF FALSE CHARGES. On October 16, 1875, » man named William Stott, aged about thirty-eight years, employed asa mason and contractor in the town of Andes, Delaware county, | New York, went to the Post Office at that station | and deposited a registored letter, addressed to Dr. H. Jordan, of No. 40 Bond street, Now York. ‘The letter purported to contain five $100 bills. The sender told | the Postmaster that he had recently received $1,000 from the West through the National Bank of Andes, of which Mr, Ballantine 1s president. On Oc tober 19, 1875, that registered letter was ro- ceived in this city by Dr. Jordan, and the recipient went to Postmaster James and said:— “Here is a letter opened in the presence of the carrier and the superintendent of delivery at station A, pur- porting w contain $500. There is no money init.” Postmaster James gave the case into the hands of the United States Special Agent, Sharrett, to work up. The course of the letter was traced from the mailing office until its delivery, and no irregularity was discovered. ‘Tracing blanky were sent over the route and all of the clerks were relieved from suspicion. Stott, who re- sides at Brushland, was then interviewed by a special agent. He said that the envelope produced by Dr. Jordan was not the one which he had mailed, neither was it in his handwriting. Agent Sharrett ascertained that Stott had not received any money from the West by letter, or through the banks he mentioned. Yesterday morning Mr. Stott came to this efty and — to the Postmaster that his money had ea LOS? OR STOLEN, and intimated that Mr. Hawkes, the young man who keeps tho store in which the Post office is at Andes, was the culprit. Meanwhile the Secret Agent had been busy. He had found that the Postmaster at Andes was Mr. Clinton, seventy-five years old, and an honored member of the community. No complaints had ever been made against him nor against Mr. Hawkes, After Stott had seen Postmaster James he was setit to Special Agent Sharrett, to whom, after @ long inter- | view, he made the following ASTOUNDING APFIDAVIT. New York, Nov. 30, 1875. I, William Stott, of the town of Bovi slawure county, Now York, do hereby make statement as follows :—That as allegeti, I Wid not, on the 10th day of October, 1875, deposit tn letter registered at Andes, N. Y., and sent’ on that date to Dr. H. Jordan, of No. 40 Bond strovt, New York, five one hundred dollar bills, The money was not in said rogis- tored letter, nor did I intend to put t in. I did not have ‘the money to inclose; but thought I Might, | atleast, delay the payment of the note due to Dr, Jordan a while longer, ‘The denial of envelope, made to special agent by letter, and tho identity of handwriting thereon is fulxa. Also that the affidavit be- fore Notary Public Barona Johnston, Esq. of Andes, on 24 day of November, 1875, to the effect thas f onclosed five one hundred dollar bills in the letter referred to above was false, and known to be by mo so at the time of making. Also, that I didnot receive, as stated, on two different occasions, the 1,000 from the West, apart of which I pretended was the reforred to, aud which I falsely aileged that I sent to jew York. WILLIAM STOrT. Ix Wiens, Oaru.—I, William Stott, being duly sworn, depose and say that the statement made by mo as above is true. {signed WILLIAM STOTT, 1 worn before me the 30th day of November, 1875. [Seal. ANTHONY YEOMANS, Notary Public, As there is no law of the United States ander which villains of his class can be held for punishment, Mr. Stott was allowed to depart, The Special Agent of the Post Office Department says that in the absence of a law to punish such offenders, who jeopardize the repu- tation of honest postmasters and their assistants, the villainous practice of pretending to send money through the Post Office is of almost daily occurrence; but the names of the people taking advantage of that lapse in the law are kept on record. OBSCENE PUBLICATION ARRESTS. Yesterday Anthony Comstock, Chief Special Agent of the Society for the Suppression of Vico, with Detective J. A. Britton and Officers Traver and Kernochan, er- rested Henry @ Ohlsten, who kept a bookstand on the stops of the Treasury Building, Wall steeet, on a charge of selling a most disgusting pamphlet. Judge Flammer committed him in $2,000 bail. They also captured | Jenny Beebe, a chambermaid at a respectable | private houso in Thirty-fourth street, who, as is alleged, has been in the habit of giving to young men passing through the strect her own pho- tograph taken nude, “She bas been for years @ waitress at asaloon in Houston street. Bail was fixed in her case at $1,000, and she was locked up in default. Last evening tho olllcers secured George Weeks, a photog- rapher, of 120th street and Third avenue, who, it is harged, made the filthy pictures. He was locked up Sixth precinct police station. Late last night Messrs. Comstock and Britton, with Oficer Colahan, arrested William Regan, liquor dealer, of Ne, 13 Park row, for having sold two vile engravings. In the Court of Sessions at White Plains, Westchester county, on Tuesday, a young man named Thomas J. Barly was placed on'trial for distributing an obsceno pamphlet in the city of Yonkers. He was found guilty and sentenced by Judge Gifford to three months in the Albany Penitentiary and to pay a fine of $100. POSTAL NOTES. The Post Office authorities sent to Europe on the ‘the steamer Abyssinia, which sailed yesterday, 22,565 letters and thirty-eight bags of papers. There were also despatched by the George Cromweil, a Southern steamer, forty-three letters. ‘ The postal authorities yesterday inaugurated a fast — service between this city and Pitisbu From the latter city the mail will be taken to St Louis. The tri left the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, in Jersey City, at six P.M. The mail will reach Pi:taburg about haly past eight this morning. CUSTOM HOUSE RETRENCHMENT. The removal of superfluous Custom House officers and the reduction of salaries of others went into effect yesterday, There were six weighers and their clerks removed, together with fifteen “day inspectors, eight night watchmen, one gauger and sixteen clerks. Yes- terday morning Collector Arthur went to the Barge Office and swore in all the discharged night inspectors, who have now become night watchmen, PRISON IRREGULARITIES, The members of the Ladies’ Charities Aid Society of Queen’s county complain that the male and female prisoners in the county jail are placed in adjoining cells, and that holes are cut through the separating walls, so that the Large have free converse; also that liquor is supplied to the prisovers by the keepers. A committee from the society will meet with the Board of Supervisors to-day to solicit the interference of the Board in the matter, THE RECORD OF CRIME. Some unknown persons entered the residence of Stephen A. Bassford, at No. 440 East 120th street, through an unfastened window and carried off a gold watch and chain valued at $62, Tho showcase in front of the store of Morris Mohes, at No, 499 Broome street, was robbed yesterday of a sealskin sacque and muff valued at $35. Property valued at $70 was stolen by sneak thieves from the apartments of Louisa Hennerden, at No, 460 Sixth avenue. A of glass was broken in the window of Frank Rathbourne’s shoe store, at No, 16 Bible House, and $25 worth of boots and shoes carried of, While the coach of William B. Croker, of No. 7 West Thirty-eeventh street, was being driven up Fifth avenue from Seventeenth to Forty-first stroet it was robbed of a sealskin robe valued at $250, An unknown called at the residence of J, M. Peitons, at No, 740 Lexington avenue, and handed the servant girl a letter addressed to Mr. Peltons, While the servant girl was delivering the letter he escaped with two coats worth $70. A trunk containing $93 worth of theatrical costumes belonging to Imogene Schoflold was carried off by Or- ville Wilson, of No. 3 East Houston street. The room occupied by Angust Drian, at No. 128 West Nineteenth street, was entered by thieves and clothing valued at $60 stolen. The re i nee of Samuel Torias, at No, 1,381 Third avenue, was robbed of 1,000 cigars by Hoary Giswinde, who forced open the basement door, ‘Thieves broke into the cigar store window at No, 69 Hudson street, kept by Solomon Dobriners, and stole five boxes of cigars. “Saventle depravity is rampant in Jersoy @ity. Yos- terday forenoon Sherif Laverty, of Hudson county, conveyed the following boys to the State Reform Behool:—William Bridge, Edward Hammond, Joba Fa- gan, Russell Van Buren and John Molloy, DESPERATE ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. Robert Graham, lately a compositor on the Now York World, while ander the influence of liquor, in Jersey ity, Tuesday night, attempted to commit suicide He Tamoting adi op gasb'in bis throat with a knife. Ho was taken to the Charity Hospital by Officer Kingsland, of the Second precinct, ALLEGED INFANTICIDE, The body of a male infant was found last Saturday morning in Brunswick street, Jersey City. Captatn McKaig, of tho First precinct, arrested a young woman ed Mary Sailivan, yeste: on tnformation thas 6 was the mother of the child) The replies of the ‘woman were unsatisfactory and she was committed (or 3 A FACILE SEDUCER. He Weds Four Wives Con- secutively. RUIN OF TRUSTFUL FEMALES In the Character of Pastor He Works the Blackest Evil, BARRED AT LAST. Deckertows, N. J., Dec. 1, 1875. The news has been received here of the arrest in Ohio of a native of this township op the complicated charge of bigamy, seduction and embezzlement, The career of the man in question, Matthew B. Van Ostrand, ts one of the most extraordinary and audacious in the annals of crime, and may be related as follows :— Van Ostrand is about thirty-five years of age and was born a few miles from this place. His relatives are among the most respectable people in the county. He isa graduate of Lafayette College and a man of splendid Physique, winning address and superior cul- ture, In 1865 Van Ostrand was married to Ella Penney, a daughter of one of the most Prominent and wealthy 1armers of this section, the owner of a large area of the richest dairy farms in the vicinity of Warwick, Orange county, N. Y. Van Ostrand, with capital furnished by his own and his wife's relatives, embarked largely in the dairy business, and enjoyed the confidence of the farmers in the neigh- borhood to such an extent that large sums of money were intrusted to him by them, his duebills being con- sidered ample security therefor. About two years after he was married he failed in business, involving his farmer patrons in numerous difficulties. THE INDIGNATION OF THR PROPLE who had trusted him—his failure being considered a very questionable transaction—was so great that to escape the punishment he merited ho fled to Canada, His wife followed bim thither. For some time bis friends continued to back him largely in his business transactions, when his reckless conduct and dishonest management caused them to withdraw their support, he having squandered nearly $100,000 of their money. Meantime his treatment of his wife and two children Ddecame such that the former was compellea to leave him, and im 1868 she returned with her children to her father. It is said that during the latter part of his career in Canada he habitually brought to his house women of notorious character, maintaining them for days at atime, and compelling his wife to act in tho capacity of servant to them. After his friends refused to be responsible for him, and hts wife had left him, being thrown upon bis own re- sources, he deserted Canada, leaving heavy creditors there, and took up his quarters in Lockport, this State. His ready address and numerous qualifications soon opened the doors of the best society in the place to Van strand, and secured him the confidence of leading business men. He wus given a position of trust in » financial institution of the place, and became the wc- cepted tover of THB THEN ACKNOWLEDGRD ARLLE OP Tit CITY, a Mise Tucker. After a residence of a few months tm Lockport he was married to this young lady, They | bad lived together but afew weeks when his antece- dents in some way became known, and to escape arrest e fled the place, taking with him a considerable sum of money belonging to one of his patrons. From Lockport he went to Ohio and settled in Columbus, the capital of that State. As was the case to Lockport, he was not long in gaming & prominent position in the society of the Ohio ‘city and the confi- dence of leading men. He became the associate of local capitalists in extensive real estate and other speculations, his services being accepted as ample ofiscts to the money of the others. He was looked upon as a rising and prosperous young man, and professing the strictest morality and piety, soon came to be held up as 4 MODEL ¥OR THE YouTH of the city. -He won the affections of Miss Georgie Vail, the dangnter of one of his wealthy business associates, and was to have married her in 1870, great preparations having been made for the ceremony. A few days before the wedding day another of Van Ostrand’s busi- ness associates made the astounding discovery that he had forged the latter's name to motes to the amount of $5,000, and had negotiated them. A thorough investigation of the matter proving that there was no doubt of the guilt of Van Ostrand, he was arrested, For the time great indignation was man- ifested by Van Ostrand’s friends at what they termed the outrage on their favorite, and his prospective father- in-law became security for the accused for bis appear. ance at court. Bofore the trial it was discovered that Van Ostrand had perfected bis plans for running away from the city, and he was at once delivered into cus- tody by bis bondsman, He was tried on the charge ot forgery, and the evidence was so conclusive that he was convicted and sentenced to POUR YEAKS IN THE STATE PRISON, He served two gears and was then pardoned by the Governor of the State. The young lady to whom he was to have been mar- ried died of grief and shame during the first year of his imprisonment. After bis discharge from the Colum- bus Prison Van Ostrand went to the village of Delaware, Ohio. He represented himself there as the Rev. Amos Ryerson and produced papers certifying that he was @ dul; 7 gconeprtap urnsran ov 11x Gosrri, of the Presbyterian faith. Itchanced that the pastor of that church in Deiaware was an aged, but beloved old man, named Roberts. He had long ministered to the spiritual wants of his flock, aud for some years had oxpressed a desire to retire to increasing iniirmities. from the pulpit, bhi” Van Ostrand, alias the Rev. Amos Ryerson, was not long in gaining the affection of this rural flock of be- lievers, aad occasionally oflictated for the old preacher, The result of this was that the Rev. Mr. Roberis sug- gested that the church uccept his resignation and cail the young and brilliant Ryerson tothe charge. was done, and the Delaware Presbyterian congregation was the envy of other churches for miles around, ‘The old parson was well to do in the world’s goods, and his daughter Effie was considered the handsom rlin the village. Between her and the new pastor intimacy sprung up which resulted in their marriage in October, 184. The young couple lived happily tor some months, when the love of the husband seemed to grow cold, In August last the STARTLING DISCOVERY was made that three young ladies, members of leading families of tbe village and of the Presbyterian church were destined to become mothers at no distant day, and that they each charged the young pastor as having caused their ruin. The sensation that tollowed this revelation is said to have been indescribable. A strong eloment of the church and town held to the fn- ocence of the pastor, but his unceremontous depart- ure from the place in the night, ponding legal investi- gation, dispelled this faith, and the popular indignation was universal. One ol the young girls died in giving birth to her child, according to the story received here, and another fled from her native place and is leading a Ife of shame in Cincinnati. From Delaware the audacious scoundrel Van Ostrand wont to Springfield, Ohio, where he resumed bis own name. He was not long there before he won the affeo- tions of a wealthy young widow of the place, and, on the 27th of September last, induced her to elope with and marry him. They returned to Springfield in a few days and were living in greatstylo there, when the news of Van Ostrand’s doings ware village im some way reached nee ay followed by an officer from that place w! ® warrant for bis arrest. Again the villain managed to elude arrest. ‘The friends of his jast victim—who was rendered insane by the exposure of her supposed husband's true char- acter—and the friends of his dupes in Delaware, oom- bined together in the determination to bring bim to Justice in some way, and detectives were put on his track. He was traced to Windsor, Canada A watch t on his movements and it was discovered thathe ready commenced = his plans to ensnare another victim, in the ene of & young French mil- liner named Jean Dubois. Inquiry made by the teotives olict! between the miiliner and Van Ostrand, bi had repelled’any intimate relations. Tho affairs warranting the move, a detective procured an tn- terview with Mile. Dubots, in which he revealed the history of Van Ostrand, and succeeded tn enlisting the co-eperation of the milliner in HIS CAPTURE. ‘The initiatory step in the plan adopted was for the oung lady w appear to soften toward Van Ostrand. Bhe yielded to bis oft-repeated reqnest to meet him at rendezvous appointed by him. She failed to meet & but insyead sent him the folldwing nove:— My friends are watching me and suspect me. I go te veland next k to ase is, I will moet a United Staves Hotel there on Monday. SWAR. Winpson, Nov. 18. ‘The bait took, and Van Ostrand replied that he woule be in Cleveland as requested. Ls is unnecessary to say that Jean Dubois did not go to Cleveland, but Ostrand did. He was met by the detectives, taken inte castedy, and carried to Springfield and lodged in jail. ‘The news of his capture was greeted with aniversal joy, little fanning of the popular feeling would have resulted in his unceremonious tyne! ne He will be brought to trial at an carly day, and there is not the doabt that be will receive the full extent of the law’s penalty, which is, doubtless, at it@ wo! far Woo light to meet the case of this unparalleled wh lain. FIRE IN WILLIAM STREET. Last night a fire brok: in the rear attic room oF No, 232 William street, occupied by Gustave Ranick. ‘The alarm was speedily given, and through the exer. tions of No. 12 engine company and the police the flames were stifled before they could make much head way. The damage to the building amounts to about $000, and to the furniture, $250, Thomas Stillman was the owner of the house and all his losses, together with examination, those of the residen(s, are covered by insurance, Thia*