The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-23
uses GUN TO SAVE
HER HUSBAND
Pretty Southern Woman and as
Navy Revolver Are Central Figures
in 100000 Damage Suit. q

SPOKANE, Wash. Feb. pa pref
ty young woman, endowed with all
the grace and charm and fire OF a
true daughter of the south, sat de-
murely in choir loft, toying daintily
with a grim 45-caliDre Navy revolver,
which she had carried into the
sanctuary. Just 10 make sure that heg
preacher husband would get a square
deal at the hands of disgruntled
church officials who were trying TO
GUST him.
That was one dramatic incident in
church row In the little town OF
Colfax, near here, that, with its after
math has set the whole state 10 talk
ing.
The pretty little southern woman IS
Mrs. Virginia Buss The preacher
husband is the Rev. III. G. Buss The
aftermath Is a 100000 suit FOR dam
ages brought by the young preacher
against officials of the First Baptist
church OF Colfax
The row had its origin nearly q
year ago, when Buss was given charge
I OF the expenditure OF small sum III
Z improvements on the church building.
Certain of the officials were not satls-
I fed with the result. charging that
( Buss had spent more money than ne
was authorized 10 spend.
Buss denied this and for seyeral
months there was an undercurrent OF
\ ill-feeling that finally developed INTO
an open factional fight
A few weeks ago, a meeting OF the
deacons was called, forcing the resis'
nation of tho DreaCher. BuSS WAS
present at the meeting and his ~
year-old wife was a spectator
The meeting, starting with a dignl-
6ed discussion OF the subject before
II increased I'm warmth as IT pro-
eressed, until both sides were ex-
pressing their views. personal and
otherwise, with no small amount OF
candor.
when Mrs Buss saw her husband,
who Is a small man. contesting
against what stss considered 10 be too
heavy odds. she considered immediate
re-enforcements necessary
HORN under Southern skies, her girl
bood spent amid the traditions Of the
Old South. she had no doubt as TO
what re-enforcements would be most
successfuI. She slipped quietly from
II.
sonage. a few doors away. and In
few moments was back In the choir
loft She took no pains 10 hide the
fact that during her absence she hau
provided herself with heavy arma'
ment
she took a position directly above
the table where the meeting was IN
progress. resting her arms on the
chair rail, absently swingly the DIE
navy revolver.
None OF those who were present
charge Mrs. Buss with any intention
other than of bringing the meeting
to an abrupt end She was eminent
~ successful The church ofhcials
adjourned hastily and left the build
Z ing.
Buss held the fort. meeting OF
the congreg alton was called by the
deacons. The question of the removal
of Buss was put 10 a vote Wheh
the votes were counted, II appeared
certain that the preacher was ousted'
Then Mrs Buss came forward de-
murely and presented p proxies IN
favor of her husband.
They were enough 10 give him the
majority. She had accurately sized
up the congregation ana hau quleH'
gone about town. again marshalling
re-inforcements.
The deacons declared that the vot-
ing of proxies was not allowed by the
church laws. Buss and his friends de-
clared the proxies were good While
the new angle Of the fight was at
fever heat, Buss accepted the ruling
of the deacons.
He went from the church TO law
Office A few days later, he and his
wife fled suit for s10l.500 damages
against 1S prominent Colfax people.
alleging conspiracy TO drive them
from the church. 10 ruin their reputa'
ton, and to force them from the
town.
Il Is freely predicted that the ready
wit and fighting spirit OF little Mrs.
Virginia Buss will play no small part
In the trial OF the case.