The Libel Suit
January 10, 1903
Summary
The Richmond Planet’s Editor, John Mitchell, is taken to trial by Nelson Williams Jr. over publications regarding relationships within the First Southern Baptist Church.
Transcription
That Libel Suit
Brilliant Array of Counsel There
Editor Mitchell’s Defense
Many Witnesses Testify. The Right to Publish.
Did Williams Forge the Names — Witnesses Testify.
The suit of Nelson Williams, Jr., against John Mitchell, Jr., for $10,000 has been on trial in the Law & Equity Court since last Monday morning.
Able counsel have been conducting the case. Editor Mitchell is represented by Hon. George D. Wise of the firm of Wise & Watkins and by Hon. Charles V. Meredith of the firm of Meredith & Cocke, and J. Thomas Hewin, Esq., (colored) of this city.
Williams is represented by Mr. H. M. Smith, Jr., Hill Carter, Esq., and J. R. Pollard, Esq., colored.
The Cause of the Suit
The case grew out of the action of Editor Mitchell permitting the publication in the columns of the Planet of the proceedings of the First Baptist Church upon the call of the pastor and the election of Rev W. T. Johnson.
Mitchell charges that Williams forged three names on a paper purporting to be an application for a church meeting held for the purpose of excluding Mitchell from the church and which did result in his exclusion.
The Jury Sworn
The jury was called and sworn. It consisted of all white citizens. Mr. H [illegible]... Jr., then stated what his [illegible]... expected to prove. Mr. C. V. Meredith followed with a statement of what the defendant expected to prove. The witnesses were then excluded from the courtroom and Nelson Williams Jr., the plaintiff was called to the stand.
His statement of the case tended to injure him more than the defendant. He was subjected to a rigid cross examination by Mr. Meredith and his predicament was a sorry spectacle to those who had come to hear the case.
His Attitude Damaging
His attitude on the witness stand was so damaging to the plaintiff side of the case that his counsel found it necessary to recall him the next (Tuesday) morning in order that he might be permitted to correct some of the reckless statements he had made the day before.
Rested the Case
He did not help his case any, however. Then followed a most remarkable and surprising action on the part of his counsel. Mr. Smith announced that he would rest his case, thus forcing the defendant’s counsel to show their hand. This they did not hesitate to do and after asking for a recess of fifteen minutes, which was granted by the court, they repaired to the consultation room to arrange the order for the presentation of their witnesses.
Names Signed Without Consent
The court resumed and Mr. Daniel Holman was placed upon the stand. He swore that he did not sign the application for the church meeting and that he did not authorize anyone to sign his name to such an application. The first he knew about the meeting was the Monday after the Sunday that the paper was alleged to have been signed. Henry G. Carter came to his place of business and told him that his name had been signed to the application and asked him if he would permit it to remain. He had [illegible]... to this. He admitted having told Editor Mitchell that he had not authorized the signing of his name.
Brilliant Array of Counsel There
Editor Mitchell’s Defense
Many Witnesses Testify. The Right to Publish.
Did Williams Forge the Names — Witnesses Testify.
The suit of Nelson Williams, Jr., against John Mitchell, Jr., for $10,000 has been on trial in the Law & Equity Court since last Monday morning.
Able counsel have been conducting the case. Editor Mitchell is represented by Hon. George D. Wise of the firm of Wise & Watkins and by Hon. Charles V. Meredith of the firm of Meredith & Cocke, and J. Thomas Hewin, Esq., (colored) of this city.
Williams is represented by Mr. H. M. Smith, Jr., Hill Carter, Esq., and J. R. Pollard, Esq., colored.
The Cause of the Suit
The case grew out of the action of Editor Mitchell permitting the publication in the columns of the Planet of the proceedings of the First Baptist Church upon the call of the pastor and the election of Rev W. T. Johnson.
Mitchell charges that Williams forged three names on a paper purporting to be an application for a church meeting held for the purpose of excluding Mitchell from the church and which did result in his exclusion.
The Jury Sworn
The jury was called and sworn. It consisted of all white citizens. Mr. H [illegible]... Jr., then stated what his [illegible]... expected to prove. Mr. C. V. Meredith followed with a statement of what the defendant expected to prove. The witnesses were then excluded from the courtroom and Nelson Williams Jr., the plaintiff was called to the stand.
His statement of the case tended to injure him more than the defendant. He was subjected to a rigid cross examination by Mr. Meredith and his predicament was a sorry spectacle to those who had come to hear the case.
His Attitude Damaging
His attitude on the witness stand was so damaging to the plaintiff side of the case that his counsel found it necessary to recall him the next (Tuesday) morning in order that he might be permitted to correct some of the reckless statements he had made the day before.
Rested the Case
He did not help his case any, however. Then followed a most remarkable and surprising action on the part of his counsel. Mr. Smith announced that he would rest his case, thus forcing the defendant’s counsel to show their hand. This they did not hesitate to do and after asking for a recess of fifteen minutes, which was granted by the court, they repaired to the consultation room to arrange the order for the presentation of their witnesses.
Names Signed Without Consent
The court resumed and Mr. Daniel Holman was placed upon the stand. He swore that he did not sign the application for the church meeting and that he did not authorize anyone to sign his name to such an application. The first he knew about the meeting was the Monday after the Sunday that the paper was alleged to have been signed. Henry G. Carter came to his place of business and told him that his name had been signed to the application and asked him if he would permit it to remain. He had [illegible]... to this. He admitted having told Editor Mitchell that he had not authorized the signing of his name.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Rose Williams
Citation
“The Libel Suit,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 21, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/189.