Pedro Gusman

Pedro Gussman (born c. 1877; died February 14, 1934 in Birmingham) was a Puerto Rican native who secretly married Ruth Stephenson, the daughter of a Methodist minister, in a ceremony conducted by James Coyle, pastor of St Paul's Cathedral, in August 1921.

News of his daughter's marriage provoked Edwin Stephenson to murder Coyle on the steps of his rectory. The case was portrayed by the True Americans and Ku Klux Klan (which both claimed Stephenson as a member) as an example of the Catholic threat to American morals in their statewide campaign to raise money for Stephenson's defense. Attorney Hugo Black won Stephenson's acquittal in part by emphasizing Gussman's dark complexion and curly hair.

Gussman and Ruth divorced on June 5, 1923. She claimed to have suffered violent beatings in the complaint. Gussman married Vera Hancock on May 28, 1930 and moved to 1820 2nd Avenue South.

Gussman was struck by a car at the intersection outside the doors of St Paul's on January 20, 1931. The driver did not stop and was never identified. Gussman died at the hospital from pneumonia while recovering from a broken femur and internal injuries on Valentine's Day. He is buried at Forest Hills Cemetery.

References

• Schrantz, Joe (2004) The Reverend's Revenge. Infinity Publishing ISBN 0741421100
• Davies, Sharon (2009) Rising Road: A True Tale of Love, Race and Religion in America. New York, New York: Oxford University Press ISBN 0195379799