The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-20
H0WARD'S LIFE.
The Defense Pays Attention to This.
They Think They Havo Proved That
the Divine's Namo is Hewlett.
Now They Proceed to Throw Beams
Of Startling Evidence
On His Alleged Dark and ChocEerad
and Unsavory Past Life.
The Testimony Yesterday Was OF q
Very Sensational Character and
More Of the Same Kind Ia
Expected-A Review.
sp.ct.N Dispatch To The Appeal.

specfs, Dispatch 10 The Appeal.
JACKSON, Tenn, June l0-The hearing
OF the Howard libel suit was resumed this
morning, the sick juryman having sulli-
cienily recovered to be present. The first
stage OF the case is now about completed,
and the defendants have introduced q
great mass Of testimony taken in London,
England, TO prove that DIR. Howard, the
plaintiff, doctor Of divinity aud very
able Baptist preacher. is really a son OF
John Hewlett, Of Edmonton, London,
England. The suit is for $4,000, brought
by DIR. Howard against thirteen leading
members OF the First Baptist Church, at
Jackson, OF which he was pastor few
years ago, and three newspapers. The
libel complained OF was an attack on
Howard's character OF n most virulcnt
description, accusing him Of having as
sumed false name tohide his past record,
which was very fully given. The charges
against him were OF very remarkable
nature, and included references to
escapades with women, especially
with a married woman with whom
ho cloped, allegations Of undue inti-
macy with negroes in South Carolina,
and Of infamous character generally. To
explain how the action came to be
br, sht, II should bc stated that DR.. How
ard was appointed pastor OF the First Bap-
tist Church in this city. Ills bhlliancy
and ability speedily increased the mem-
bcrship and filed the church, and for u
time all went well, the doctor being the
most popular man in the city. lie mar
ricd the daughter Of leading citizen ami
was generally respected. Then arose u
trouble in the church. some prominent
members Of which said they had received
Information showing Howard TO be an
impostor. Howard was asked TO resign by
lyc deacons, and finally seeded with about
hsixty members and established the Central
Baptist Church. lie also commenced the
publication Of the Free Bdpiia newspaper,
in which no criticised the conduct Of the
Baptist University, Of which he had been
professor. Then the libel was published.
Tho Central Baptist Church held meetings,
and cxonemted their pastor from blame,
and suit was brought for libel. The
most strenuous cxertions have been made
by both parties TO work up pleas Of iustih.
cation, plaintiff trying TO justify his con-
duct and tho defendants their alleged
libelous statements. Tho plaintiff has
crossed the ocean four times in search Of
evidence, and the defendants have had
attorneys and agents, not only In Eng
land, but alec in India. Plaintiff admits
that prior TO his conversion he was care.
less as TO his morals. lie says that he
met Hewlett In the South aud assumed
his name fora time. To prove, however,
that he really Is Howard he obtained depo.
sitions from an alleged brother living In
Calcutta, and from other relatives Of the
alleged Howard family In England. The
defense employed detectives to hunt NJ
these witnesses, but failed to find them,
aud ihe Court made nm order, prior TO the
libel suit being called up for trial, cxclud.
ing the dcpOstions from the case. Plaintiff,
however, still has n mass Of testimony
which he will produce in order TO prove
that hc Is not a son Of John llowlciL
Plaintiff has light brown hair with rich
auburn beard. lis witnesses will swear
that Ilowlcits hair was red aud that he
wns taller than plaintiff. II will also be
attempted 10 be proven that Hewlett is
dcnd. The defense having Iut In their
London evidence identifying Howard as
Hewlett arc now trying 10 Justify their
attacks Us 10 character, and are calling
witnesses from places In the South IN which
DR.. Howard lived under the name Of How
lett. While In the extreme South Dr.
Howard taught school and aiicrward
studied law and paciiccd ut the bar. lie
was then converted, joined the Baptist
Church, was ordained, commenced 10
preach aud camo 10 Jackson.
At the opening vi the court this morning
the cfoss-cxaminntion OF the wilness
Crosby. Of South Carolina, was read. Tho
evidence against the plaintiffs char.
ac.cr was much shaken. Tho charge
Of undue intimacy with colorcd people
was found 10 be- based on tho fact that
while Howard WIS teaching school he had
for a time lodgings In a oolorcd man .
house. Much amusement was created by
the reading OF answers Of witnesses 10 his
political creed. lie said he was a Cooper
alton Democrat, and was opposed 70 So
ccssion. II was true be once went ~ q
delegate 10 a Republican convention In
his county. lie did 70 because he wanted
10 get an Insight 10 Republican methods
llc got all tho insight he wanted, aud
didn't want 10 know anything moro about
them.
A letter was also produced written 10
plaintin sinco the latter hal settled In
Jackson. II was a reminder that plaintiff
owed witness sGO aud that II lac would re-.
nit Il with interest. witness would give
plainlir good character 10 some Jackson
people who had written 10 him with In.
The deposition Of Isaac Crosby. a col.
orcd noighbor Of the last witness. was next
read. Witness stated that plaintiff boarded
with him, ate at his table and sometimes
slcpt with Inn. lie was Republican from
preference, and received somo money
IRON the party. lie was very enthusiastic
for u time, but when the money began 10
run out he began 10 weaken. Plaintiff told
witness that he had run away from homo
when a boy. had gone 10 sea, killed a
man, aud had been wrecked In China,
whclo he bought two Chinese women.
When plaintiff loft the nclghborhood be