The age-herald., 1901-05-27
While Preaching in Harmony Street Church Pastor is
 Shot from a Window HENRY FLETCHER ARRESTED
1t Is Said That McEwen Had Been In. timate With FIetcher's Wife, and That Fact Caused the Shoot
 ing-Wlll be Investigate.

While standing In his pulpit and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, Rev. J. R. McEwen, negro preacher. was shot from the window of church and killed last night at S:45 o'clock. The crime was committed at the Harmony Street Baptist Church in Avondale.
 Henry Fletcher, another negro, was ar rested and locked in the city jail, charged with being implicated in the shooting. It is said suspicious circumstances connect him with the deed, and he will be held until thorough investigation can be made.
 The shooting Is one of the most out rageous homicides ever committed in the city, and the negroes of the neighborhood are aroused The preacher was very popular pastor with the members of his flock, and for more than an hour after the shooting a crowd stood about the church and discussed the question, some suggesting lynching for Fletcher.
 Bucksho. Used.
 The Rev. McEwen had only been preaching a few minutes when the fatal shot was fired. He was standing in his pulpit near window, and without mo- ments warning a loud gun-report. broke the stiffness of the service. The shatter- ing of glass was heard, and at the same time the preacher fell to the floor.
 Immediately the greatest excitement prevailed Some older women shouted some prayed, some tainted, and some ran screaming from the place of worship. A few ran to the fallen form of the pastor. He lay bleeding from wounds in, the right shoulder and side. As quick as possible a man was sent for physician, and the wounded preacher removed to the place where he boarded, one hundred yards distant.
 Dr. Caffen soon reached the mans side. Upon examination he found that the gun with which the preacher had been shot carried buckshot. and that fifteen of these large shots had taken effect. There was no chance for saving the negro's life, though everything possible was done. He died within an half-hour after the firing of the gun.
 Psalms Was Text.
 The preacher, when Killed, was oeHVer- ing a sermon from the third verse of the 126th Psalm, "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad" The text had been read and the beginning of the exhortation began when the shot startled the congregation.
 Rev McEwen had magnificent-sound- ing voice, and he had just cried forth in deep, earnest terms: For these great things the Lord has done for us we are glad,' when the buckshots struck his body. The death was very tragic No scene from a melodrama can equal it, nor the effect it had upon those in the house.
 The preacher has brother in Mobile, J. N. McEwen, also a preacher, and he was telegraphed the news of the shoot ing. He had been living here only few months, but was considered one of the best preachers among the local negroes.
 Fletcher Arrested.
 Shortly after the killing Henry Fletcher was placed under arrest and brought to the city where he was locked in the city jail. It is claimed by many of the negroes that he did the shooting. Some time ago Fletcher. 1t is stated, he claimed to have discovered that McEwen was intimate with his wife, and at the time raised a big row about the matter. It was settled without much trouble, how ever, and nothing more was thought of the affair until last night.
 The preacher had claimed that he was not guilty, and in some way temporarily pacified Fletcher. At this time, 1t Is claimed, Fletcher threatened to kill Mo- Ewen. So when the shooting occurred last night he was placed under arrest.
 When seen at the city jail Fletcher refused to make any statement regarding the matter.
 The killing will be investigated by Coroner Paris this morning, and Fletch- CT will be held until after the result of this investigation is announced