The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-05
REV. JOHN H. BARBER
 CALLED AS PASTOR
May Relieve Rev. L, 0. Dawson
 for One Year
AT TUSCALOOSA BAPTIST
Old Negro Defends His Own Case ir Court and Against Great Odds Secures AcquittaI of Charge
 of Liquor Violations

Tuscaloosa, May 4-(specia1 1.-The Rev. John H. Barber, who is now doing post graduate work at the Baptist Theologi- cal seminary at Louisville, Ky, oecu- pied the pulpit here for both services Sunday at the Baptist church. pr. Bar Der preached two eloquent sermons and created an exceedingly favorable impress sion upon the large congregation. He left immediately after the night sermon to catch train, and after he had retired from the building Judge H. B. Foster of the board of deacons presented a recom- mendation from the board that he be called to the ministry of this church as assistant pastor for the term of one year It will be remembered that on account of the protracted poor health of the reg u1ar pastor. the Rev. L. O. Dawson, a years leave of absence on full pay was granted him, and the deacons were au- thorized to secure a pastor in his place. On the vote as to the recomm endation to call Dr. Barber the entire congrega ton voted affirmatively. The new pas tor is working toward his doctors de- gree at the Louisville seminary, which he will take in a months time. It was stated thatNDr. Barber would be retained after the return of Dr. Dawson, if pos
 
 large congregation of the First church here.
 A great deal of interest is taken in the announcement of the engagement Of Miss Lucille Thorington to Dr. w. F. Prouty, the marriage to take place June g. Miss Thorington is one of the prettiest and most accomplished young women ever reared in Tuscaloosa, and has a very large circle of friends. She is the young est daughter of Judge W. s. Thoring- ton, dean of the law departmental the university, and has lived here since she was little girl.
 In addition to unusual intellect Miss Thorington Is an accomplished musician and possesses a voice of rare qualities. She has been spending the winter in, New York, where she studied vocal music with marked success. Dr. Prouty, since the death of the late Henry McCalley, has been assistant state geologist and pro- lessor of geology at the university. He is a graduate of Syracuse university and took the doctor of philosophy degree from Johns Hopkins.
 The marriage of MT. Burton Hyche and Miss Jamie Merriweather occurred on last Sunday afternoon at the home of the officiating pastor, the Rev. A. T. Camp, of the Baptist church in North port. The marriage was very quiet one. The groom is son of MT. and Mrs. Alfred Hyche, prominent in county affairs, and is very popular young man personally. He has for the past year or so been marshal of the city of Northport. The bride is an attractive young Tus- caloosa woman, having heretofore been a popular saleswoman at Blondheim's store.
 Much interest is being taken here in he ri al Of rd Gal nf n ty court, charged with the murder of Charlie Gallant in the blowing up of the latter's house with dynamite in Wood stock last February There is large number of witnesses and many people from the surrounding neighborhood are attending the trial. The examination of witnesses will probably end by tomorrow morning, and the case will get to the jury by tomorrow night.
 A novel oration was heard before the jury yesterday morning when Lee Frank lin, an old negro, charged with yiolat- ing the prohibition law defended him. self, conducting his own cross-examina- tion and arguing his own case. Lee seemed to realize the seriousness of the charge against him, but was presumably unable to employ counsel. He was an old man, his head being perfectly white, though the lines about his face seemed to indicate no hardness of heart on &C., count of the unfortunate tide in his af- fairs He was accorded respectful and careful hearing by the jury, and the judge permitted him to ask all the ques- tions he wished and to make any state ments he saw fit. Surely no charge could be made against the conditions of affairs here in the matter of equal justice to white and black Lee was confronted by two white men who swore he had sold whisky and the old man was himself l. I-l 1o0~ AA RfN.- a fervent plea and many protestations of innocence, the jury retired and soon brought in a verdict of not guilty. The old man did not at first comprehend that he was free, but after that fact was ex- plained to him he made an old time court ly bow, and after thanking the judge and the jury retired more experienced and a happier man.