Did Not Get the Ten Thousand
January 24, 1903
Summary
In the court case regarding the First Baptist Church, John Mitchell prevails and receives numerous congratulations. The results of the case are provided here in great detail.
Transcription
Did Not Get the Ten Thousand
Argument of Counsel. More About The Great Struggle.
Scathing Arraignments. Cant. Wise’s Rejoinder. Mr. Meredith’s Telling Plea.
That one cent Verdict and Williams to Pay the Cost.
The report of the proceedings in the suit of Nelson Williams, Jr., against John Mitchell, Jr., for ten thousand dollars ($10,000) damages and which resulted in his being awarded one cent and he (Williams) to pay the costs of court has attracted widespread attention.
Many Congratulations.
Editor Mitchell has already been the recipient [illegible]...congratulatory letters [illegible]... parts of the country. [illegible]... was brought because of the [illegible]... of the charge that Brother Nelson Williams, Jr., had forged the names to the application for a church meeting, which meeting was called for the purpose of bringing about the exclusion of Editor Mitchell from the First Baptist Church on account of his having permitted the publication in the columns of The Planet an account of the disorderly proceedings at the call of a pastor of the First Baptist Church and also the publication of the alleged private letter of Rev. W. T. Johnson, which letter was addressed to 2,500 people.
The Amusing Designation.
It was also stated that Brother Williams’ had been scurrilously assailed by Editor Mitchell in publishing him as Brother “Hindquarter” Williams and announcing that his prayers had no more effect than water on a duck’s back.
Editor Mitchell made no denial of his responsibility for the publications, but stated that he had published facts as he understood them.
The references of course were innocent burlesques and that he had not assailed Brother William's private character.
There were many amusing features during the trial. None was more impressive and interesting than that of the reading of the article “Did God Call the Pastor?”
Read the Whole Article.
Mr. H. M. Smith, Jr., seemed uncertain whether to read it or not and looked over to Messrs. Meredith and Wise, who gave him no encouragement either one way or the other.
They were entirely indifferent as to what he did in the premises.
Finally Mr. Smith said to Mr. Carter that he did not see how the jury could understand the case fully unless the article which contained about eight columns of matter was read.
Mr. Smith wanted Mr. Carter to read it, and Mr. Carter wanted Mr. Smith to read it. Finally the latter cleared his throat and proceeded with the task.
As his honor, subsequently ruled thatches article was privileged and that Editor Mitchell had a right to publish it the public can readily see that it was to the advantage of the defendant to have it read to the jury...
Argument of Counsel. More About The Great Struggle.
Scathing Arraignments. Cant. Wise’s Rejoinder. Mr. Meredith’s Telling Plea.
That one cent Verdict and Williams to Pay the Cost.
The report of the proceedings in the suit of Nelson Williams, Jr., against John Mitchell, Jr., for ten thousand dollars ($10,000) damages and which resulted in his being awarded one cent and he (Williams) to pay the costs of court has attracted widespread attention.
Many Congratulations.
Editor Mitchell has already been the recipient [illegible]...congratulatory letters [illegible]... parts of the country. [illegible]... was brought because of the [illegible]... of the charge that Brother Nelson Williams, Jr., had forged the names to the application for a church meeting, which meeting was called for the purpose of bringing about the exclusion of Editor Mitchell from the First Baptist Church on account of his having permitted the publication in the columns of The Planet an account of the disorderly proceedings at the call of a pastor of the First Baptist Church and also the publication of the alleged private letter of Rev. W. T. Johnson, which letter was addressed to 2,500 people.
The Amusing Designation.
It was also stated that Brother Williams’ had been scurrilously assailed by Editor Mitchell in publishing him as Brother “Hindquarter” Williams and announcing that his prayers had no more effect than water on a duck’s back.
Editor Mitchell made no denial of his responsibility for the publications, but stated that he had published facts as he understood them.
The references of course were innocent burlesques and that he had not assailed Brother William's private character.
There were many amusing features during the trial. None was more impressive and interesting than that of the reading of the article “Did God Call the Pastor?”
Read the Whole Article.
Mr. H. M. Smith, Jr., seemed uncertain whether to read it or not and looked over to Messrs. Meredith and Wise, who gave him no encouragement either one way or the other.
They were entirely indifferent as to what he did in the premises.
Finally Mr. Smith said to Mr. Carter that he did not see how the jury could understand the case fully unless the article which contained about eight columns of matter was read.
Mr. Smith wanted Mr. Carter to read it, and Mr. Carter wanted Mr. Smith to read it. Finally the latter cleared his throat and proceeded with the task.
As his honor, subsequently ruled thatches article was privileged and that Editor Mitchell had a right to publish it the public can readily see that it was to the advantage of the defendant to have it read to the jury...
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Rose Williams
Citation
“Did Not Get the Ten Thousand,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/277.