Was His Dog Poisoned by Some Angry Church Member?

New York, 1895

Rector Niles Has His Way

A St. Bernard dog three foot high, weighing about two hundred pounds and valued at $300, which was in the care of the Rev. Mr. Niles of the Church of the Ascension at Rockville Centre, was poisoned Sunday night. The animal belonged to a brother of the rector, and it is generally believed that the poisoning was done by some enemy of the rector, and many connect the poisoning with the recent troubles between the rector and the choir and young people's society.

Several months ago the choir objected on social grounds to several new members whom the pastor introduced. Then the pastor disbanded the choir and introduced a boy choir, which is now furnishing the church music. The next trouble was with the young people's society of which the pastor was president. They had raised $335 for a church organ and wanted to wait until they could purchase a fine one, but he insisted on using the money they had on hand to secure an instrument at once. A conflict arose, and last Tuesday night, at the monthly meeting, the rector disbanded the young people's society. They refuse to be disbanded and will not submit. So there is war all around and the young people and the old choir promise to make things warm for Mr. Niles. The poisoning of his brother's dog is taken as the first attempt at retaliation.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 8.