The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-02-09
WALDRON PASTOR
ADMITS FINE FOR
INSULT TO WOMAN
JohnsOn'S Record Given Air
ing in Church Burning
case.
BF Times Specia.

EW LtNNtc EBtEttk
SHELBYVILLE, Ind, Feb. g.
Members of the congregation of the
WaldrUn Baptist Church who attended
the trial of the Rev Ulysses S. John
son, charged with setting fire to the
church on the night Of May 10. 1923.
showed much surprise. Friday after.
noon when the mister t~estifying in
his own defense. He admitted on cross
examination that in October. 1921, he
paid a fine and costs of s13 in police
court at indianapolis for insulting a
woman in a theater there
Following the testimony of the few
remaining witnesses, the defense rest
ed its case today at g a. m.
The remainder of the day was to
be devoted to arguments and the case
was expected to go to the jury about
; p. N. 1t has been on trial here since
Monday, thirty-seven witnesses testi-
fying for the State and more than a
score for the defense.
When the Rev. Johnson was called
20 testify Friday he rejected the Gus
ton1ary oath and took instead an af
ermation. His story on direct ex-
animation. concerned his whereabouts
AID actions on the night of May 10.
'ae3. when the church was damaged
ny fire to the extent of $500.
johnson Testifes
He told of leaving his nome with
his-wife ard ~6-year-old son and Of be-
ing at the Annex in WaIdron from 7
p m until the meeting of the Baptist
Young Peoples Union was brought
70 a close He left his wife for FIVE
minutes. while he put his car in a
garage. he said.
According to his testimony. they
then returned home n he told of
the events prior TO the fire which
were outlined by other defense wit
nesses He said that as they reached
home he noticed two men prowling
about the garage at the rear OF the
house and pointed his 1ashlight in
that direction. lie saw a tall. slen-
der man. wearing a light suit Of
clothes. he testified He then told
Of the fire and said that he told the
fre-fghters to "be careful" as they
entered the building.
81 Can't Remember
States attorneys. Oh the cross-ex
animation. read the testimony given
by the minister at the State fire mar
shaTs office on May Is. 1923. and at
tempted to show discrepancies in the
statements which were given by the
defendant on direct examination.
Most of the questions asked by
States attorneys. were answered. y
don't remember" by the defendant.
He admitted however. that he had
paid a fine and costs in Indianapolis
fol insulting a woman and that he
had given his name as Grant John
SON" at that time. He also admitted
that his first wife secured a divorce
on charges of non-support and that
she is now living in Indianapolis.
When closely questioned by States
attorneys regarding his departure from
G~reentown. Ind. at the time he &C
cepted the Waldron charge. he ad-
mitted that he had asked the driver Of
the truck which carried his furniture
not to tell GreentOwn people where
he had gone. He also said that he
asked the driver to refrain from tell
ing Waldron people where he came
from.
He explained to the court that until
the year 1902 he had teen a mem
Der Of the Baptist Church. but at
that time he was taken into the Chris
tian Church. In November. 1921.
when he accepted the Waldron charge,
he again became a Baptist. he tes-
dged.