The Washington times., 1895-03-07
CRESCENDO OF COURT CASES
C0lOred Divine Gibbons Is the Center
of Legal Storm.
Trial of an Attachment for Funeral Bill
Leads to Proceedings for Perjury
and Horse-stealing.

Rev. William 2. G Gibbons, the noted
colored divine, whose church is situated
at Fourth and L streets northwest, has
figured in several exciting legal transac-
tions during the past few days. The last OF
these incidents eliminated yesterday after
noon, when Messrs. Collins & Costello,
the undertakers, of No. so H street north
east, swore out a warrant before Justice
Samuel C. Mills, charging the reverend
gentleman with perjury.
The circumstances which led up to the
climax are interesting Several days
ago Collins & Costello secured judgm ent
against Rev. Gibbons before Justice
o'Neal for funeral bill. Being unable to
collect the Judgment they attached the
preachers horse and buggy while it was
standing in front of the courthouse, Mr..
Gibbons having gone in to hear the testi-
mony in the TaylorC Chase libel suit.
The vehicle was taken to Callahan's livery
stables. on Sixth street near Louisiana
avenue, and put up for safe keeping and to
satisfy the judgment should the colored
divine still refuse to settle up.
The trial of the issue on the attac hment
as TO whether the horse and buggy were
subject to execution, was held before
Justice Harper, the cause having been
removed to him under a change OF venue.
At the trial before Justice Harper the
Rev. Gibbons was reported to have made
oath that the team was not his property
but had been presented 10 him for his use
while minister of the church in visiting the
sick and calling on members of his flock.
On the other hand Collins s. Costello
claimed that the statement sworn TO
by the preacher was false and that he had
c ommitted perjury. They therefore re-
paired to the office of Judge Samuel C.
Mills, and after filing the usual affidavit,
procured a warrant against the Rev. Glib
bons, charging him with perjury. The
warrant was placed in the hands of In
spector Hollinberger yesterday afternoon,
and he sent it by detective to the police
court. where it was nolle pressed by
Assistant District Attorney Mullowney
without service.
When Collins & Costello heard Of this ac-
ton they at once repaired to the office of
their attorney, Mr.. S. T. Thomas, and laid
the facts before him, with the request that
he take such action in the premises as he may
determine upon to bring the preacher be-
fore the police court for trial. The question
they submitted to Mr.. Thomas was this:
rs the assistant District attorney greater
than the magistrate who issued the war
rant, or may he pass upon a warrant before
it is passed upon by the judge of the police
court?"
Rev. Mr.. Gibbons also took an appeal from
the Judgment of Justice Harper that the
buggy and horse were liable and gave bonds
for the release of the team from the livery
stable. He will be represented in subse-
quent actions by Attorney Irving P. Will
hanson. Collins & Costello say they will
take steps to-day to secure the preacher IS
arrest on the charge of perjury, as they
claim that they have evidence that he pur-
chased the team personally.
The police court authorities state that
the warrant against the Rev. Gibbons was
nolle pressed by Mr.. Aiullowney because
the point in which perjury is alleged is not
material to the issue. AS a sequel to the
badly-muddled case William j. Simmons
the horse dealer, ,swore outa warrantagainst
Thomas G.. Costello, of the firm of Collins
& Costello, charging him with horse steal
ing. This was also nolle pressed by Mr.
Mullowney. Interesting developments are
expected to-day.