The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-05
Mr.. Thomas Claims He
Was Injured in One.
His Suit Against Two Deac0nS
for $1,000 on Trial.
Asserts He Was Thrown Down,
Choked and Severely Injured.

The troubles at the Congdon Street
Colored Baptist Church, which have
attracted considerable attention were told
to Judge Rogers and a jury today In the
civil suit OF BinphamIB. Thomas against
Deacons Nelson Morgan and william
M. Greene for assault. Mr.. Thomss seeks
$1,000 damages and alleges that on Feb. 6,
1896, when, at the request Of many men,
bers of the church named, he went back
there after a brief absence, he was without
any fault of.his -own thrown down by
the defendants, who choked him and
injured his. face, neck, shoulders, arms,
legs and hip. The injury to his hip the
plsintiff considers the most severe, as
after many months OF doctoring, he is
still forced to linn, and use q cane,
though up to the time OF the assault he
only used one of a Sunday, as he expressed
il on the stand today, "the same as any
other gentleman" The plaintiff is an old
man, ana he told the story of his troubles
and related at great length the disputes
between himself ana other church men,
bers, and also gave q dramatic recital of
what took place in the church at the time
of the assault. Several church rules were
discussed by the attorneys In the case
and the plaintiff and defendants.
Beverley Harris testified that he was
present in the church " hen the assault was
committed. The congregation Iuet on the
evening In February referred to, and there
not being mucn to do Brother Thomas
was called on to speak by the minister
Rev. Mr.. johnson. Brother Thomas
Immediately wanted to know what ne was
turned out of the church for, and asked II
it was for calling the deacon fool, and
the answer was In the negative, and the
same reply was given to two other ques-
tions, and though MIR. Thomas remained
cool he got no information. The witness
also testified that Dsncon Greene caught
the plaintiff by the throat and ell the
latter did was to put his hand gent
ly on the deacon's coat. An effort to
throw Mr.. Thomas out of the church
Witness prevented and Brother Bush
bad threatened to do severe harm to
plaintiff. Notwithstanding ell his severe
handling witness said Brother 7 homas
said 81 have been badly used and am
weak but / will even now ask the
church's pardon IL am told Why I was
turned out of the cborch." The books
were not in the church that contained
the details of the charges and this was
the excuse given by the deacon and the
minister Rev. Mr.. johnson for not stat
ing the charges against the piainti0. Wit.
nesses testified in behalf Of the defendant
that the pastor of the church at that
time was in the last stages OF consnmp-
ton and died a short time after the night
of the assault aHathe defendant-fearfai
lest Brother Thomas excitement might
lead him to srrike the pastor, which un-
der the circumstances might do great
harm to the sick man, some. e.of the men
present at the meeting without the use
of any more force than necessary sought
to have him retire from the church.
p. j. Mccarthy was sttornsy for the
plaintiff and the interests OF the deacons
were looked out for by 4. L. Mowry.