The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-12
MR.. WILSON
NOT GUILTY,
Scott Church Tribunal
Passes on His Case
Last Night.

William II. Wilson. the trustee Of Scot
| NJ. +, Church who WAS charged with in
dulging in sinful words and passions, wa
| placed on trial In Scott Church last night
| md jury Of twelve men, method st
from the churches Of the city empanellot
to try him. The taking of testimony con
sumed four hours, and at 2 o'clock thi!
morning tie verdict of not guilty was re-
turned.
Rev. r. P. Harris, the church pastor
preferred tho charges against Mr.. Wilson
lie acted as judge. while Revs. James
Grove Of Asbury. and J. W Easley OF
Brandywine conducted the prosecution
aud Revs. +. b. Short OF EpwvIth ami Il
y. Watkins OF New Castle, the doIonse
Il: Cummings, J. c. Gordy. G w. God
win, William +. Houpt. N. c. Janney,
Thomas Moore. William Il. Nichols, |
Elmer Perry, Thomas Rldyway, II. A.
prsod the jury. After the testimony had
been submitted counsel on both sides argu
cd on technical points.
Mr.. Short and Mr.. Watkins tho coun-
sci Tor tho defence, wanted some charges
withdrawn, but Judge Harris refused and
exceptions were noted.
There was long argument over the
jury Tho counsel for the defence claimed
that Mr.. Harris had selected tho jury with
out saying anything to them. They con-
tended that they should have been shown
tho list SO that they could have had II
chance to object. Mr., Harris decided, how
ever that the jury as selected should try
tho case. There wore iwo charges and in
each one Were Specifications. Tho first
charge was heard last night Under the
genernl charge OF indulginB in sinful word
and passions it was alleged that Mr.. Will
son had called the pastor. Mr.. Ilarris, or
Wilmer Drummond IL liar; had called Jo-
seph BARTLETT IA dirty little snip" aud at
o, her times hadput down tho windowsan
turned eff the heat in anger. A dozen Wit
e,ses were examined and GROSS examined
The oifenses wcro alleged to have COM
menced years ngo in the month Of May.
Mr. Wilson admitted some Of The
charges. Altogether about twolvo wilt
nesses were examined. There was much
feeling manifested and several members i
stated they weregoing o leave the church. |
Atl.l5 O'clock the jury returned with "A
verdict acquitting the defendant The ma
jority of those present seemed pleased with |
tho verdict. Tho church employed n stem
ographer to take the testimony.
Tonight one more charge will be pre-
ferred against Mr.. Wilson, aud 1t is
thought thas ths legal proceedings will
occupy about IA week and much sensa-
tional testimony is expected to crop out
during he rehearsal of The cHso
1t Is asserted by those supporting Mr.
Wilson that II plot hns been on foot for
about three years to try and force him
out Of tho church, and it is further said
that after all other tricks have failed the
present scheme Of b!ackmail was orgi-
mated and is now being pushed to the
fullest extent.
Thoro are other members OF tho con-
yrega.ion who think and poke otherwise
and most emphat!caly deny tho existence
Of any such plot.
Miss Davis said last night that she was
innocent of any wrong or intended wrong
md that the reports in circulation had in
urcd her character and was cruel and un-
ust. She furthermore said hat it worried
Ter so she could not rost at night.
Attorney Howell S England was pres-
mt as witness for tho dufonco Inst night
md the prosecution tried hard 10 hnvo him
xpellcd from the room but rs he was arm
ID with il subpoena and was legally
wi, ness hs was allowed to re-
main in the building.