The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-09-21
PREACHER FINED
AFTER AMUSING
COURT CROWD
Spiritual Seances Fail to
Convince Judge Peace
Wasn't Disturbed

Expressions Of "Hnlielnjnh.' Praise
the lord" and Amen" resounded
frequently through the court room
last night MS members of the Pente-
costal faith were teEtifying Mt h
trial OF the REV. George w. Smith,
charged with disturbing the peace
when holding n religious service at
his home. ei4 East Coal avenue Sun
day night. Followers OF the minister
for n time apparently attempted to
turn the our Into u place OF wor-
ship.
Following the hearing OF many Wit
ncssea both from members OF the
minister's CONGREGATION and from
neighbora who had been attracted TO
the house Of worship Sunday night
by the loud outcries OF the Worship
crs, Mr.. Smith was sentenced TO rs
days IN Jail or TO pay a fine OF f25.
Ills followers paid the fine for him.
The hearing lasted for an hour and
n half and Il took strict rulings on
the part OF the nj to keep order.
Giggles and laughter came from
many OF the curious o~nlookers In the
court room and shouts from tne cor.
ner In which members of the faith
were gathered, they shouting amen
nearly every time one OF their belief
made n remark In testimony OF which
they approved.
Pastor There Early.
Mr.. Smith was on hand fifteen min
utea before II was time for court TO
pen and was shaking hands with
members OF his congregation az they
came into h room. During the
hearing Mr.. Smith called upon his
witnesses by the name of sister and
brother as he wanted them TO testify.
Miss Bessie Duncan opened her
testimony by asking permission Of
Judge w. w. Mcclellan to read the
Bible. He declined the request but
she insisted TO M avail.
II know all about the Bible" said
the Judge, II have read 1t probably
as much AZ you.''
The witness testified that for 20
minutes at the meeting she did not
know what she was doing as she was
under the influence OF the Lord. h
said that she talked In French. al
though she had never seen or heard
n Frenchman sneak. She said she
spoke seven different languages in
that 40 minutes, including Chinese,
all because she was under t:e mflu-
ence Of God. She declared slice at
tending the meetings - Mr.. Smith
TINT abe vas cured OF appendicitis.
Neighbors who had gone to watch
the worshipers Sunday night testified
that the minister put his hands on
the heads Of his followers. shook and
rubbed their heads until they appear
cd to he In n trance. He had the
women. children and men clap their
hands and stamp their feet, they said.
After Mr.. Smith had rubbed and
shaken their heads they declared the
followers would start to scream and
Witnesses testified that the actions Of
tho minister were TOO much for them
and they mad TO call the police.
Like Bail Game.
what did this noise sound like? ?"
asked the Judge Of Oscar Shirley. m
OF the complaining neighhors.
ut sounded like the noise you hear
when people shout at n bail game
lie replied. "or like you hear In tho
show"
Al this point Mr.. Smith asked the
witness II n ball gumc ever disturbed
his peace as he claimed the meeting
had.
II never attend a ball game at
night" replied Mr.. Shirley.
Would IL disturb your peace II you
did?" Smith asked.
II presume Il would II ! was trying
10 sleep" Shirley answered.
Other witnesses from the neighbor-
hood told the court that they had had
no rest from 10 o'clock Sunday morn
ing when the shouting began until
late that night.
one OF the nelEhbors told the court
that lucky for him he had one deaf
ear ana when he first went to bed
he had slept with his good ear to he
pillow so he could not hear the
shouting. He said he must have
turned " in his sleep because soon
he heard the shouting and got up "a
learn whnt was going on.
Peter Kinkermin, 900 East Pacific
avenue. tall, slim and pale. testified
that since going to the meetings OF
Mr.. Smith that he had been cured oil
The lncurable tuberculosis.
Are o as well aa you ever were 2
asked the chief OF police.
Yes dr.'' he replied.
Gould you climb University hill
without getting short OF breath?"
~ could 20 anywhere with Coo
with me-"
ARE you working? ?" asked tn,
Judge at this point. why don't you
work N you are we'll"
II don't need to work" replied
Kinkerman. the Lord will provide
for me"
''oh he will, win be- answered th'
Judge. I'VE would have n lot o
ioafers &c we were all like YOU"
"Holy Rollers"
Members of the faith. which 4
sometimes known TO the masses a
the Holy Rollers testified tina
when MIR. Smith put his hands oil
their heads II was like n thrill o
electricity going through them an,
that they could not help feeling happ.
ana Jumping IN and down. II wa
impossible to sit still. they said.
I'VE were rejoicing" declared Mrs
@. a. French. one al the faithful
members. ~ hoy had been healel
and we were rejoicing. II wa
Victory"
Were o fIshting?" aucstIone
the fudge.
mo SIR"
You can't have a victory withou
a fleht. can your"
well. we were fighting the dew
md were victorious" the woman re
piled.
Mr.. Smith testified that there wa
no peare for the wicked, and he wa
rot AluaaarNtAA tn e.AaAA AaAoaa