Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-11
ATTEMPT To TRAP
MINISTER IN RAID
BY RUSE REVEALED
Rev. Haskell r. Deal Escapes
Reported Frame-up Plot
in Faxed Mercy Call.
LOCKED BEHIND DOORS,
PASTOR SCENTS PERIL
Assistant to Rev. W. A. Shelton
IN Mount Vernon M. E. Pulpit
Was Intended Victim.

While friends by the hundreds are
Sallytng TO the defense OF Rev. William
A. Shelton, pastor OF Mount vernon
Place M. Z. Church South, who soon
will face trial before an ecclesiastical
court on charges preferred by his Tor
mer secretary, Miss Carrie A. Williams,
1922 Forty-tirst street, 1t was disclosed
today that Rev. Haskell r. Deal, assist
and pastor Of the church, about ID
months ago was the intended victim OF
an incident that bore all the earmarkS
of trame-up.
While disinclined to discuss the az
fair. which transpired before Rev. DR..
Shelton had assumed the local pas
torate, Rev. MIR. Deal, who now Is round
ing out his third year here, confirmed
information received by The Star.
One afternoon, the assistant pastor
was advised at the church ofdce he was
wanted at the bedside Of dying per.
son residing nearby. 1t was then about
O'Clock, and Rev. Mr., Deal was asked
to cali at 6 O'Clock.
His suspicion aroused that specified
time should be set in a case OF the
sort, he decided to make the call at
$50 and, as q matter Of precaution,
asked his wife to accompany him.
Called to Place Before Raid.
Goinw to the address. which was In
tina 500 or 900 block of either II or I
street, the minister left Mrs. Deal In
their car on the outside and entered,
first telling her II he was not back IN
six minutes to come In.
The character of the establishment
Aeft no doubt in his mind that it was
being operated as disorderly house
and speakeasy. He explained the ma
ture Of his call and was received as
though expected. Two doors had been
locked behind him as he entered, and
when the key was turned In the second
door, the minister turned around, I'M
locked it, retraced his steps and left IN
his car. At 6 o'clock the police vice
squad raided the place.
Rev. Mr.. Deal voices no suspicion as
to what was the object of attempting
10 place him In what admittedly would
nave been an embarrassing rredicament.
Trial Group Being Chosen.
This incident was recalled by friends
ef DR.. Shelton, who have been sharply
critical OF the aSpersions against him.
The makeup of the official group
which will hear the charges against Rev.
Dr. Shelton, which has not been dis
closed, is understood to be in stage
of completion.
A former presiding elder of this dis
Srict will appear as prosecutor for the
wiz be represented by two members Of
the clergy and lay1nan. In addition, a
man and woman'S defense committee
is said to have been named.
board Of Is clergymen chosen by
Bishop T. D. Mouzon of Charlotte. N. C..
bishop Of the Baltimore district. will
consider the case. which Is expected to
come up in about two weeks.
Friends Rally to Pastor.
Rev. DR.. Shelton, an Archeologist OF
note, has been q prominent figure in
the church and scientific world for
years, and his associates in both fields.
as friends In other walks OF life, hocked
to hts side In legicns.
From everywhere have come mes
sages voicing belief in him.. particu-
larry from Atlanta, where for nearly
two score years he was an Instructor
ut Emory University.
He Is relieved Of his duties at Mount
Vernon Church, where he first came
last October. while the case Is pending.