The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-05-02
PASTOR IN
POLICE COURT
First United Presbyterian
Church Row Gets Be-
fore Justice Murphy.
MINISTER is ACQUITTED
Testimony Would Indicate
That Brother Murray Was
Roughly Handled.

Roughly Handled.
The rumpus which took place at the
prayer meeting in the First United Pres
byterian Church. at Sip and Tonnele ave-
enues, on April 20, between Donald Muir
ray and the pastor the Rev. Andrew
Henry, d. d.. Robert A. Bell and Robert
Bell, caused by Murray's objecting to
the playing of a piano at the services,
was aired in the Oakland avenue police
court this msrning before Police Justice
]. ]. Murphy The pastor and the two
Bell boys were summoned to court yester-
day upon a charge of assault and battery
preferred by Murray.
For over three hours the case went on
The result was that Pastor Henry and
Robert A. Bell were found not guilty, and
Robert Bell guilty, but under the extra
ordinary circumstances" as Judge Muir
ply put it, sentence was suspended. Muir
ray was censured for his actions in at
tempting to smash the piano.
The little court room was crowded to
the doors when the case was called.
Counsellor William H. Speer, Jr., repre-
sented Murray, and James A. Gordon
looked after the interests of the three de-
PENDANTS The pastors sympathizers out
numbered those of Murray three to one.
The complainant took the stand to tell
of the assault and in testifying said that
he was sofroughly handled by the pastor
and Bell boys that he had three hem
orrhages since the fracas in the church.
He told of how he had been authorized
to lead the prayer meeting with the un-
derstanding that there would be no music
When he objected to the playing of the
piano he was told by the pastor that the
piano would be played and that if he OBJ
jected the pastor would lead.
81 said that there would be no music, .
said Murray, ''and l told the pastor that
would give him just five minutes to
close the piano. I then hit the keys with
my hand whereupon the pastor seized me.
Before | knew anything the Bell boys
were on me. I was roughly handled,
choked and butted in the chest until I
was black in the fafee-ng--es
Murray added that he was knocked
down and hit while on the floor.
Mrs. Murray corroborated her husbands s
Yure, and his two nieces, Misses Alice
and Isabella Yure. testified to the same
effect
Pastor Henry took the stand for the de-
fence and told the same story as that
told by Murray up to the point where
Murray said the pastor struggled with
him.
II seized Murray by the wrists, said
he, after Mr.. Murray struck the piano
Mr.. Murray wrenched himself free and I
Immediately sent some one out for a
policeman. I saw the Bell boys take hold
of Mr.. Murray, hustle him to the corner
and force him into a chair. I saw no
blows struck, nor was there any blood on
Mr.. Murray's face nor any marks of
violence"
Pastor Henry testified that he had had
some difference with Murray over the
music as feature of the services and
that he knew Murray strongly objected to
the music.
Robert A. Bell took the stand and said
that he went to help the pastor when
the fracas began and helped pacfy Muir
ray. II took him by the arms and helped
force Murray to seat. I asked him what
right he had to smash the piano. said
he, "and he replied that he had as much
right as / had. More words followed and
said that l would smash him if he
came outside. Mrs. Murray came to as
sist her husband and tore my collar and
tie off"
Robert Bell. who, by the way is not re-
lated to the other Bell. said on the stand
that he did take Murray by the throat
and force him to chair in the corner
Murray grabbed me by the hair and
1t; -t,ts ro13f
Several women foreibly separated US and
then the rumpus ended.
Another Bell, Robert E. Bell, not relat-
ed to the others, admitted that he also
took part in subduing Murray for the sole
purpose of preventing him from doing
further damage
Counselor Speer, on cross examination,
brought out the fact that all of the Bell
boys were engaged in the row and that
they all laid hands on Murray Other
witnesses for the defense were Mrs. Bell,
mother of Robert A. Bell, Trustee Lyle
Reed, Patrolman Pangborn and William
Mason All of these, except Pangborn.
| testified that no VIOLENCE was used III
| quieting Murray They all stated that no
| blows were struck and that the pastor
| had no part in the fracas.
| Pangborn said he saw no blood on Muir
| rays face when he was called in, nor
| marks either.
| Both lawyers summed up, after which
| Judge Murphy said that Murray had no
business to attempt to smash the piano.
"In the case Of the pastor, find that
he did not use any more force than was
necessary said the Justice. Robert A.
Bell did not use excessive force, under the
| circumstances. in assisting the pastor,
but Robert Bell did go too far. I find
him guilty. but will suspend sentence
/ and costs"
| There was rejoicing among the pastors
sympa thizers when the decision was an
nounced
A meeting of the Session was held last
night at the home of Pastor Henry, No.
Magnolia avenue, but no reference was
made to the Murray case.
COURT CALENDAR