The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-14
THE CONVERSE TRIAL.
COL. BULLITT DROPS OUT OF
THE CASE, LEAVING
The Defense WithOuta Lawyer-MOre
Testimony Of Untruthfalness-
What the "Times" Says.
ESPECIAL TO TIE IpprIL.l


LOUISVILLE, KY, September 49,
The Louisville Presbytery met at 8
o'clock am. to continue the trial of
the Revs. I. +. and F. p. Converse.
The prosecution continued its testi-
monV by placing on the stand DR.. E.
NJ. Neal, OF Shelbyville. The witness
testified, in substance, that he was &C
.quainted with the general reputation
of the Christian Observer for truth and
veratity. He regarded it as bad with
the ministers and elders of the church.
He wss acquainted with the reputation
of the Revs. T. L. and +. Converse only
as editors Of their paper. He was ac-
quainted with the friends of DR..
Woodrow. He knew OF no scheme to
divide the church by friends OF that
gentleman.
The defense requested that the cross
examination of the witness be post
poned until the return of Col. Bullitt.
The presbytery refused to grant the
request. The defense then asked
some unimpoItant questions and they
excused the witness.
The Raw. VIM. Irvine was called to
the stand. The witness was acquaint-
ed with the reputation Of the Christian
Observer fer truth end veracity. 1t was
lot coed. The witness knew the
repu alton Of Mess,s. Converse & Con-
versa for truth and veratity as editors
of the Observer only. 1t was that in
any controversy In which they were
engaged they were not always
trustworthy or candid. He knew
nothing OF the defendants personally.
The witness did not at all sympathizs
with the views of DR.. Woodrow on
evolution. He would no. be classed
among those who we're published as
DR.. WoodroW's friends in the contrc-
ye-sy.
The prosecution introduced cpl S
OF records OF General Assemblies
to show that the attention OF
the Assembly had twics been called
t. mis statements of the Christian
Observer.
The Moderator ruled the evidence
not competent. DR.. Daniel argued
that the papers we relevant. DR..
Boggs called attention to points OF law
ON The case.
TIE Rev. T. i. Converse, for the
defeosa, argued that the defense had
no opportunity of proving the truth of
the evidence on account OF papers that
had bsen lest by DR.. Brown,
Nearly all the time Of the court
having been taken up in long drawn
out Arguments, the hour for recess ar
rived, and pending a decision on tue
quest on the Presbytery adjourned
for dinner. On reassembing, after a
long and windy deb ate, the Moderator
was sus aimed, Dr.. Daniel making an
exception thereto.
The next witness was the Rev.
Charles Hemphill, pastor OF the Second
Presbyterian Chuck, He had had
amp'e opportunity to know the repu,
tstion of the Christian Observer and he
regretted to say he believed it bad.
The Messrs. Converse as editors
ranked on par Tith the paper. DR.,
Hemphill had heard the paper 3 repu-
tation spoken OF when student at
Columbia College. The examination
OF DR.. Hemphill was long and tire
some, but nothing of consequence was
brought out outside of the fact that
he believed DR.. Woodrow a true Chris
tain and upright man. He was not
believer in evolution.
Col. Bullitt, counsel for the de-
tense, announced that he would leave
t r Europe tonight, and asked that
after the prosecution finishes its side a
postponement be held until hi; return
late in October. He said the defense
would only require Two or tbree days
to finish up, and this was agl eed to.
The defense may finish 10 morrow.