Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-02-01
Election Held Under the Eye Of
Judge Blackstone.
COURT SITS IN THE CHURCH
BY Unique Process. Justice is Melted
Out to Both Factions Involved and
toe l,aiio, Decides the Survival of
the Fitte5t

~ the very decisive vote Of 2S7 ,o|
S. The congregation Of the First
tc0Dred Baptist church last night de
ietmiuei To relieve the Rev. Or. Rich
ard Spill2T ,t the duties of pastor of
til" church.
The election took place in the main
auditorium OF tho church. which for
the noncc WIS turned into a court room
.lud2" Blackstone. OF the Circuit Court
was present and presided over the
ceremonies, while Clerk Of the Courts
ilarrv u. Holt acted as teller and
sheriff r. X Curtis was there to see
that no unusual demonstration married
the proceedings
BESIDES the court officials there We're
quite number Of We'll known white
men in the gallery OF the church. and
the main auditorium was we'll filled
With members Of the congregation
manv ii whom had come some dis
lancc TO yut" 10 GUST the minister
During the afternoon i, was rumored
on the streets tina Or. Spiller. through
his counsel. had announced his deter
animation to Quit the fight to retain the
pastorship ana 10 allow the action Of
III" church in dismissing him TO stand
For this reason quite a number Of the
who felt That the very life Of the
church depended upon a decisive bal
lo'. went to the church early. BY 100
o'clock many Of the members were in
their seats ready FOR the fray.
II WAS announced that the minister
bad decided TO vacatc the pulpit and to
sop his suit Tor DcrpctuatiOn of the
injunction recently granted Dr. Spl.
Ter ny Judge +. j. Barham, Of the
Corporation Court of Newport News
This announcement, however, failed
70 meet with the approval OF many Of
The most active members 1t was
agreed to send :! committee to Judge
Blackstone and request the court to
hold the election. 50 that in the event
that Or. Spiller should change his
mind the court would know the exact
sentiment OF The congregation
Judge Blackstone went TO the
church where the other officials were
III waiting. The election was imme.
diateiy taken up and during its course
everything ran along after The most
orderly and smooth fashion In fact,
there was a solemnity about the cleo
ton that showed the deep feeling the
members felt in sustaining the church.
which they had sworn to uphold
After the mode OF voting had been
announced. which was that all mem
hcrs lavorin& the minister should sim
My say for" or those wishing to sec
Or. Spiller oustcd should say against"
the voting was commenced One by
one III" members passed by the
bench and announced III strong
tones against or for" 1t was
plainly evident from the start that the
doctor was {; much defeated man.
When the result Of the baloting was
anaGunccd the satisfaction Of the con
@fcSalion was plainly evident, al
though there was nothing OF the sen
satlonal in their demeanor, 1t was
happiness felt over the ending Of what
has been Il nasty and bitter war to rid
he church Of its pastor.
Ms soon as the result was announced
i Was also stated that Judge Black.
stone would today dismiss Dir. Spller's
Injunction and again turn the church
over 70 he hoard or trustees and
board Of lcacons.
ms Will mean chat on next Sunday
me congregation can worship in their
church, thing which has been impos-
Sthi@ lor til" past two Sundays.
IN" tight between the church and
Or. SDiler started last December and
Or. Snllcr several weeks ago secured
an Injunction restraining the church
trustees from interfering With him as
the pastor OF The church This brought
ne fight into court
JudSn Sidney j. Dudley and AttOr.
neT = NJ +. Rassette represent the
chirch ard i)r. Spiller was represented
* MI Fay S Collier. Colonel Friend
AMI Attorney Thomas j. Newsome of
NcWpnrl News.