The trial of I.R. Stroud, a Baptist minister of Duplin County, on a charge of prostitution, was brought to a dramatic climax in Superior Court at Goldsboro Monday afternoon, when Matilda Kennedy, 17-year-old daughter of Brantley Kennedy of Seven Springs, burst into tears on the witness stand, and testified that Stroud had seduced her; had continued his illicit relations with her during a long period, and that the Duplin minister had on two occasions escorted her to Kinston for Virginia King, a negro woman, to produce illegal operations. In completing her testimony, the unfortunate girl declared that Stroud had carried her to Kinston on two occasions—first in January of this year, and again during August, and that each time he left her at the house of Virginia King, in the eastern part of the city, and an abortion was produced.
Sobbing with grief and mental anguish Matilda Kennedy told the court the story of her life since she went to work in the minister’s home in February, 1921; of her employment there until September 29, 1922, when she went with Stroud to Goldsboro, where he registered her as his wife at a hotel.
Stroud made a good witness, but the girl was better. On the witness stand he answered the fire of questions with apparent frankness, and apparently cool until the girl rendered her damaging testimony; when he vigorously fanned his florid countenance with a pamphlet he held in hand.
The accused man was found guilty of prostitution and registering at a hotel with a woman not his wife, and Judge Bland sentenced him to six months in jail, to be assigned to work the county roads. Stroud promptly appealed, and bond was fixed at $1,000. This was readily furnished.
May Be Tried for Abortion
If the Duplin County minister is tried on the charge of abortion in connection with the sworn statements of the girl that he brought her to Kinston for the purpose of having Virginia King, a negress here produce abortion, the trial would have to take place in Lenoir County. Coincidentally, Virginia King was in Superior Court here last Saturday, charged with a similar offense.
From the front page of The Daily Free Press, Kinston, N.C., Oct. 24, 1922
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