The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-13
of the Rev. Thomas
j. Irwin Is Upheld.
Says Judgment Not More Severe
Than Facts Warrant.
CASE TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Disrepute ON Church by Marry
ing Couple in Pool.
Faces Arson Charge in COnnec-
tiOn With Church Fire.

Tulsa, Okla, Oct. 13.-The convic-
ton of the Rev. Thomas ]. Irwin, OF
Lawton, on charges of conduct unbe-
coming a minister and his indefinite
suspension from the ministry was
upheld early today by the judicisi
commission of the Presbyterian synod
of Oklahoma, after a review of the
findings of the Ell Reno presbytery
before which Mr. Irwin was recently
tried.
Counsel for the suspended minister
gave notice that the case would be
appealed to the general assembly Of
the Presbyterian church which meets
next May in Indianapolis.
THE judicial commission is of the
opinion and SO holds that the judS-
ment, passed by the El Reno presby-
terry is not more severe than the facts
on which the commission confirms
the Ell Reno presbytery justify. ane
we affirm the judgment. that is. that
the Rev. Mr.. Irwin is indefinitely sus-
pended" George C. Alternately. OF
Shawnee. moderator of the synodical
commission, said in announcing the
decision. He said the specifications
of error cited in the appeal of Mr.
Irwin were overruled.
Married couple In Pool.
The Rev. Mr.. Irwin was convicted
by the Ell Reno presbytery on three
counts. He was found guilty of hav-
ing brought disrepute upon the church
by marrying a couple in bathing
pool at a summer resort near Lawton-
The bride and groom and the minister
wore bathing suits.
The other charges were that he
swore to a false affidavit to obtain an
injunction in district court to prevent
members of his congregation in Law
of the affairs of the church. and that
he had disciplined members of the
congregation without due process.
Is Charged With Arson.
Mr.. Irwin faces trial in district
court at Lawton on a charge of arson
in connection with an alleged incen-
diary fire at his former church. The
! fire occurred while he was still pas
tor. The arson charge was filed by the
county attorney after an investigation,
the motive alleged being that the min
/ lister fired his church to gain SYM
pathy in the bitter fight he was wag-
ing with one section of his congrega-
ton. On the other hand, Mr.. Irwin
charges that his enemies set fire to
the church.
The, minister was found outside
Lawton on two occasions this summer
suffering from attacks he attributed
to men who he charged were trying
| to drive him out of Lawton. The
county attorney, after an investigation,
declared evidence gathered by him
| indicated that the abductions were
framed by the minister himself"
Was Friend of Jake Hamon.
Charges have repeatedly been made
| by friends and counsel for Mr.. Irwin
that the whole controversy at Lawton
! grew out of the pastors friendship
| for the late Jake l. Hamon. Repub-
| lican national committeeman from
| Oklahoma for whose death Clara
Smith Hamon was tried at Ardmore
for murder. The breach between the
| Lawton pastor and certain members
| of his congregation was widened when
| the Rev. Irwin preached the funeral
| sermon over Hamon. Hamon mads
! large contributions to the Lawton
church and installed in 1t motion pic
ture apparatus 10 which many menu
| bers of the church were opposed