The evening world., 1891-04-28
REV. M'CARTHrS LIBEL SUIT.
Damages Claimed for Minnie WilIiams'S
Articles 10 Celestial City,"
Trial Begun Based on the Famous
Mediums Writings.

A libel suit for $40, 900 damages was begun IN
Part II. OF the Supreme Court before Judge
Smith this morning which promises to develop
very Interesting features
Tle plaintiff Rev. Charles P. Mccarthy and
the defendant Is Editor william j. Inns, OF
the Spritualist publication the Celestial Cftv.
TIE writer OF the alleged libellous articles ia
Mrs. Minnie E. Williams, a spirtualIstic me-
dium OF renown. The articles appeared In the
Celestial CHM
The chief article complained OF alleges that
Mccarthy had attempted to extort money from
Mrs. Williams
Rev. Plaintiff Mccarthy is a man Of sixty
years, rather bald, but with plenty Of silvery
whiskers. HIS counsel is ex.Judge DALEY.
Editor Iunis was not In sight, Dut Medium
Minnie was there aud appeared deeply Inter-
esied. She is large-framsd woman Ct mature
years, attractive II not handsome, who vie VS.
things material through gold bowed glasses.
After opening briefly for the plainiin Judge
Dale; called Lawyer Charles II. Russell as
the first witness. He had known Rev. Nc
Catthy for eighteen years, and met him nrst
In Philadelphia, where he was preaching in Il
Cniversalist church. Mccarthy WIS tried by
u church tribunal In New York in 1877.
Foster l. Backus, an attorney living at Flat
bush, swore that he nrst met plaintiff In Clin-
ton, N. Y. in 1877. Rev. Mccarthy was At
that time Pastor OF a Universalist church IN
Albany, and went TO Clinton to make an
address by invitation of the Faculty of
Clinton Institute. ~ think met him at the
in 1894 and lsI4-I5. believe Rev. McCar-
Mt Tniv
saltst Church subsequent to tue above dates"
Lawyer Benn, OF the defense, on cross-ex-
animation got this reply from witness BacSus:
al know OF Rev. MIR. MCCARTHY insiituting
manhamus proceedings against the committee
| on good fellowship and organization Of the
UEiversallst Society,""
Cecilia ID. Mccarthy, wife Of the plaintiff, a
Madonnl-faced woman with glossy silver hair,
testified that she made her husbands acquaint-
ance In England tweniy-eis sht and half years
ago.
He was afterward an Episcopal preacher and
| lecturer, and curate.
I've came to rhls country about eighteen
years ago, ard since that my husband has been
| Ph'lddeiphi"; the Church OF the Redcemel
| univerSallst), Albany, and the Bleecker Street
niversalist Church, OF tnts city.
| Wy uuhhtu HAS dfbO pTFuCutu III me Kew
| Dr.. Caufitld'r church In Brooklyn, anu know
OF INV own knowledge that he Is in full church
| fellowship at the preSent time. "
| Judge Daley offered IN evidence several
ARTICLES In Celestial itp different dates in 1889
| which are claimed to be lbeliouR Tney were
| admitted by Judge Smith.
Mrs. Mccarthy testified that Celestial Gu
| had general circulation among SpirItuallsts
| OF New York and vicinity.
| ON cross-eXaminatiOn Mrs. Mccarthy admit.
| edthat Mr.. Mccarthy was mate or u snip
when she 1rst met him.
| "Did you ever know Of your husband being
| expelled from the ministry during his connec.
| ton with the Bleecker street Church In this
| city questioned LAWYER benn.
| mot that know OF was the quiet reply"
| Certain actions OF Rev. Mccarthy caused
| Judge Smith to rebuke him SHARPLY fol
| 'coaching the witnesA
Mrs. Kate Tingley tesuned to her kuo wledgt
| OF the comment occasi0ned In BpirituAlistiC
| circles by the publication OF the alleged
| lihelous articles IN Celestial CITY.
| The paniin here rested and at 12. 80 Lawyer
Benn opened for the defense.
| He said ne was obliged to proceed with the
| case without Inc presence OF Euitor Innis oi
| the Celestial Cth who 10 not now resident
| OF New York.
| Mir. Benn alleged that the plaintiff had beer
| tried by au ecclesiastical court on charges OF
| fhlsehood and was deposed from the Univer.
| sallst ministry in 1877.
'He ID not now" said Mr.. Benn. rconsi l.
cred proper person to be q member of tht
| Universalist ministry"
| AT IL, 90 recess was taken until 3 o'clock.