The evening times., 1899-03-13
EVANGELIST MORGAN
MUST Obey TEE LAW
Cannot 0bStruct the Streets
With His Gospel Chariot.
Judge kimball CompeIs Him TO Give
Bonds.
Defendant Complains That There j,
Police Conspiracy Against
Him.

Evangelist Henry Morgan was arraigned
in the Police Court today charged with
obstructing the street and sidewalks at
Pennsylvania Avenue and Eleventh Street
northwest. He was arrested last night by
Policemen Purks and Hibl, after declining
TO yacate the streets.
In the Police Court today Policeman Hibl
testified that last night Morgan drove his
Gospel Chariot TO the corner of Penn
sylyania Avenue and Eleventh Street
northwest and commenced to hold services.
The crowd became so large, said the po-
liceman, that the street was blockaded
from curb TO curb, and even the sidewalks
were shut OFF. The policeman went to the
preacher and told him that the meeting
would have to close in 80 minutes. At this
Morgan became abusive, he said and de-
| nOunced the police in the most emphatic
terms. He not only abused the privates OF
the force but delivered violent TRADE
against the superintendent
The evangelist, said Policeman Hibl. then
defied the entire force and predicted that
the direst calamity would befall Washing
ton unless the entire police force was re-
organized. The crowd became greatly ex-
J
and hooting. The evangelist worked him
self into a frenzy and cited numerous in
stances OF where he had defied the police
and had always been protected by his
Master.
The policeman stated that Morgan re-
fused To discontinue his meeting at the
! end OF the thirty minutes and that he was
/ then placed under arrest. Policeman
! PuTks corroborated the statement of the
firCT hot ba
/ were becoming great nuisance
/ Policeman Corcoran. the next witness.
! said that Morgan had caused the police
great trouble and that his meetings were
always more or less disorderly. Morgan
then took the stand in his own behalf and
said that he was a duly ordained minister
Of the gospel and had been preaching for
over twenty-five years.
Ten years ago, said the prisoner, he
| obeyed the divine command of His Lord 10
! go forth into the highways and and hedges
! and preach the gospel. He had visited over
| 220 cities in this country and had never
been molested. At this juncture Judge
| Kimball interrupted the prisoner and told
! him to confine his remarks to the case be-
| fore the court. Il am glad you are doing
| a good work. said the judge, but you
must obey the law in doing it. No man
in Washington believes more in Christian
1 Il
lie must be respected"
The witness then stated that his meet
ings were very orderly and that he had
been prosecuted by the police ever since
he came here. Morgan became greatly ex-
cited during his testimony and was fire.
quently interrupted by the Judge and told
| to confine himself TO the case on trial
Judge Kimball several times during the
! hearing of the evidence stated his sympa-
thy was with any movement that looked
TO the betterment of the world. To thi:
the prisoner responded with a hearty
| Amen
The witness after being warned to con
fine himself TO the evidence, said tha
! when he first came 10 Washington he ap
piled to the District Commissioners for
permit to hold meetings on the street. II,
was told that no permits were necessar!
and to go on with his work. He further
stated that he had been driven from stree
to street by the police and insulted il
every possible manner. The general pub
lie of Washington are well-behaved ant
God fearing people" said the prisoner
but the police are a disgrace to the com
munity. / always pray for them for /
anybody needs the prayers of Gods peopl
the police of Washington do
At this juncture the Judge made tn
prisoner discontinue his harrangue an,
ordered that his personal bonds be takeI
to insure his observance of the law in th
future. Morgan left the court room Will
an open Bible in his hands and mutterinl
prayers for the officers who had arreste,
him.