William Green, Just Passing Through on Way to Florida, Sleeps in St. Philips Church, Dec. 19, 1925

Selects Church Pew as Place to Sleep. . . New York Man in Durham Without Funds Arraigned in Court But Is Turned Loose

Durham, Dec. 18—A white man who said that his name was William Green and that his home was in New York, appeared in recorder’s court here this morning to answer to a charge of trespass in connection with his desire to secure a place to sleep last night, and failing to find this elsewhere, selected one of the pews in St. Philips Episcopal Church.

The man declared that he was on his way to Florida and that he was without funds. Visiting the church he found the door unlocked, and entered, curled up on one of the benches and was fast asleep when the police arrived on the scene. The rector refused to enter charges against the man and he was allowed to continue on his way. Before departing, however, the stranger suggested that the rector have cushions placed upon the benches for the benefit of others who might drop in at his church for a nap.

From the front page of the concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Dec. 19, 1925

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-12-19/ed-1/seq-1/