Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1894-10-25
johnson webb-Kamm Trial
FREE METHODIST CAMP MEETING SUIT.

Tuesday afte rnoon at half past che.
the court listened 10 the opening OF a
trial which hes been y subject of dis.
cussion and conjecture since September
4, 1873, when at C; mp meeting near
New Diggings a preacher was crushed
to the ground and rolled around and
held down on the ground for several
hours BY two olher preachers. The two
other preachers named Webb and
kamm claimed that johnson YVES poss-
essed of devil and they were deter
mined TO get il out of him and adopted
their own Methods 10 accomplish the r
purpose. The matter has created a
great deal of indignation because the
church feels that the proceeding was a
most disgraceful affair. The managers
of the meeting had as usual a large
tent, snd the stack upon Mr.. johnson
was unexpected by him, in the telt
during another service. Mr.. johnson
brings suit for damages. His law
yers are John ID Wilson of Boscobel,
Judge Wilson from Darlington, snd
Frank Simpson of Shullsburg. The
opposition EMPLOYS T. G. Richmond
and j. b. Smith of Madison, end R. A.
Watkins Of Lancaster. After the usual
preliminaries and considerable sitting of
the jury, the prosecution opened the
case, stating Johnson's position and
complaint. johnson then appeared as
witness and his attorneys gays the
direct examination. After a short re-
cess. Richmond proceeded 70 conduct
the cross-examination. He asked John
/ no hx-r vlok Il.
he had ever been known; lis occupation
aud what other occupations he had
been engaged in. johnson said that
beside his own name. he had taken the
professional name. Edgsr Nj. Wallace,
and that at the age of fourteen he went
on the stage where he remained about
fifteen years, since that be had been in
the ministry as sn evangelist seven or
eight years with different evangelical
churches and the salvation army and
Tor nine months pastor at Montfort.
Mr.. Richmond asked him if he had
been married and when. Mr.. johnson
said yes. 1873. Richmond then asked
his wife's maiden name, and where she
is now and as to when. where and how
he had obtained divorce. He said
lawyer obtained The divorce; here Viii
son objected TO this line of questions
| and the court sustained the objections.
Johnson's answers were prompt and
accurate. lie appears we'll and easily
wins popular favor. At Richmond's
request for a nights rest court adjourn
ed until morning.
Wednesday morning $50. Mr.. John
son on the stand. Mr.. Richmond in
cross-examinatio asked Mr.. johnson.
During this trouble did you have any
audible prayer? No. AS member of
the NJ. E. Church received into men,
bership, what do they mean by burdenp
What does expression meanp do not
understand. Did you try to get any
lightP Yes. Did you ge. any? No.
MI, K. said There was some excite
ment that afternoon, was it and the
noise mostly by the distress and earn
esiness by Mr.. Webb and Kamln in
what they call burdenp don't know.
Didn't they prayP | did not hear
either of them pray. In your expert
ence did you see penitence in the reviv-
al meeting? l have seen people 60 for
ward with prayers but in the ordinary
way, MIR. Ed Strawbridge was there
and they praying for HIM IN the ordi-
nary way. Were you better dressed
than those peopleP Did they find
fault with your dressp Yes, Kamm
did. MIR. Endicott did.
What did he criticise? NV eye glasses
and necktie as too fashionable, too
stylisa, and my gold watch as worldly,
Mr.. Endieott called my gold watch and
eye glasses worldly ana Mr.. kamm
criticised my necktie. Does tie f. Nj.
Church rule against wearing these
things for use? Yes sir. Have you
heard as pastor that man will lose his
strength? Yes, have, but | do not
fully understand what is meant. Is
the rule against wearing gold left to the
conscience of the individual? No, they
make the members take off such things
and forbid wearing costly apparel. Is
not the discipline against wearing rich
clothing for display? Yes. What else
did they find fault with you about?
Mr.. Kamm found fault with me on
July 4th because | did not preach
| against secret societis and catholicism.
Have you received any light on bur-
| QCu. dchON WI Ia A hO AAAASA
stood and he said he did not.
Direct examination continued by
Mr.. Wilson: Were you received into
membership Yes Were you en-
gagged as pastor? Yes. Did they
read articles of faith to which you
must subscribe? No sir. How did
you come to preach at the camp meet
ing on Tuesday evening? | went in
carriage and sat in chair at the
meeting, the people saying no one
should preach unless Mr.. johnson did.
/ was not able to stand up and should
have been in bed. | went with one
of the gentlemen to preach in Mr..
Challinor's church in New Diggings
where free-will offering and collec-
ton were taken up for me, to show
sympathy and good will. l was not
able to preach but said | would try
to prevent trouble. asked that Mr..
Webb and Mr.. Kamm be sent for TO
forgive them. They would not come.
While Mr., Kamm held you did you
| IL.