Evening star., 1933-04-02
ACCUSED CLER|C'S
FAMILY TEST|F|ES
Wife Declares Girl, 18, Who
Brought Charges Is Tool
of His Enemies.
BY the Associated Press.

ny Vic hssOClhtcu IIcSS-
MUNCIE, Ind, April Rev G. Lem
uel Conway's wife and three daughters
were witnesses today in behalf Of the
pastor who is accused Of attempting to
attack Miss Helen Huffman. 18-year-old
teacher of a Sunday school class.
The introduction of evidence ended
without the minister appearing in the
witness chair, as had been forecast by
his counsel. Arguments will be pre-
sented by the attorneys Monday morn
ing and the case will be given to the
jury In the afternoon.
Daughters Are Calm.
Mrs. Conway at times shed some tears
as she testified in defense of her hus-
band. But the three daughters, all
about the age of their fathers accuser,
faced the court room spectators calmly.
Mrs. Conway spoke charitably of Miss
Huffman. She said she thought the girl
was q dupe of Rev. Mr.. Conway's enc
mics. She said she had told Rev. F. K.
Dougherty, district superintendent OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church, her
husbands trouble had been brought on
mot only by enemies in our own con-
gregation, but also by higher eflcias." !"
Mrs. Conway said she had cited to
DR.. Dougherty the Scriptural injunc-
ton: Lord forgive them, for they know
not what they do"
Rev. Mr.. Conway Is now under q
years suspension from the pulpit OF the
Madison Street M. E. Church, having
been convicted by church jury OF i'm
prudent ministerial conduct.
Supported Alibi Defense.
Mrs. Conway supported the alibi de-
fense presented for her husband. She
testified he took her to Christmas
party of the Service League, church
organization, on the afternoon Of De-
cember 20, about o'clock. and returned
for her shortly after 4 O'Clock.
1t was on this afternoon, Miss HUFF
man testified, that the minister invited
her to ride downtown in his automobile,
but instead drove with her into the
country, where he attempted to assault
her.
Crowd Supports Alibi.
A crowd that had congregated In
Charles Williams plumbing shop testi-
fed yesterday that Rev. Mr.. Conway
joined them in discussion of hunt
ing and fishing trip during the hours
that Miss Huffman declared the attack
vas attempted.
Charlotte May, %; Louise, 81, and
Dorothy. 10, were the minister's daugh-
ters called as defense witnesses
They told Of visit to their home by
DR.. Dougherty and Rev. w. B. Freeland,
secretary Of the Preachers Aid Society,
after Miss Huffman had filed charges
with church officials against their
father.
Say Transfer Suggested.
All three young women said DR.
Dougherty informed their father he
faced a church trial unless Miss Huff
man withdrew the charges. They testi-
fled the district superintendent sug-
gested the transfer Of Rev. Mr.. Conway
to some other city, but their father as
serted his innocence and declared he
would not run away" from the charges.
DR.. DOugherty. as q States witness, had
testified that the pastor had offered to
leave the city If the charges were with
drawn.
The daughters. like their mother, ex-
pressed a belief that Miss Huffman was
being used by enemies of their father.
The State brought its case to a con-
clusion with three rebuttal witnesses.