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Creffield and the Holy Rollers made page one headlines from 1903 to 1907. When I was researching Holy Rollers: Murder and Madness in Oregon’s Love Cult I spent months transcribing hundreds of articles. I’m not sure why I was so obsessive. Maybe it was my way of immersing my self into a cult without joining one. Anyway, I’m posting them all for those who are really interested in the story, or are interested the history of journalism, or are interested in how a scandalous story played out in the "media" in a by gone era. Since I no doubt made typos and unconsciously corrected papers' typos, these web pages should not be cited in anything serious (e.g. your dissertation). For such projects they should only be used as starting points and you should refer to the original sources. If you want a shorter version of the story, buy my book. Enjoy.
May 12, 1906: Mitchell Denied Bail
Seattle Star 5/12/1906 p1
Mitchell Must Remain In Jail
Stirring plea of Attorney Is Made in Vain
as Law Specifically Provides for No Release in Cases of This Kind---Will Enter
His Plea Next Saturday.
George Mitchell
cannot be released from the county jail on bail, and he will remain there until
tried. The date of his trial will be fixed next Saturday.
Judge Frater, of
the superior court, so decided this morning when Mitchell was arraigned before
him on a charge of murder in the first degree for the killing of Franz Edmund
Creffield last Monday Morning.
LARGE CROWD
PRESENT
The arraignment
took place in the criminal court room before a large crowd of spectator, whom
the notoriety and public sympathy with the slayer of Creffield attracted. Attorneys
Will Morris and S. M. Shipley represented Mitchell, and prosecuting attorney
Mackintosh appeared on behalf of the state. After one other criminal
arraignment, Mitchell’s name was called and he rose and stepped forward to the
bar.
All eyes were
centered on the young man, but he appeared unconcerned and calm. He was neatly
dresses in a gray suit, wore a white collar and was freshly shaved, his manly
and neat appearance creating a favorable impression.
JUDGE
SCRUTINIZES PRISONER
Judge Frater,
who afterwards admitted a deep interest in the case, looked the prisoner over
carefully, and followed the entire routine process with unusual interest and
attention.
As Mr.
Mackintosh read the formal information the young man stood straight (text
illegible) his face showing no emotion except at the words “murder in the first
degree,” as emphasized by the prosecuting attorney. Mr. Shipley asked the court
for week in which to prepare a plea, and this was allowed. Mr. Shipley then
proceeded with a motion to admit Mitchell to bail. Mr. Mackintosh rose to
oppose it.
STATUTE PREVENTS
BAIL
The prosecutor
said but a few words and read the statute which provides that “all accused criminals shall be bailable except in capital crime
where the poof is evident of presumption great.” He maintained that in the
killing of Creffield the proof of Mitchell’s guilt was not denied. He also
urged the court to disregard all sentiment in the case.
Will H. Morris,
senior counsel for Mitchell, followed Mr. Mackintosh, making the most stirring
speech of the day. He pointed out the base and criminal character of Creffield,
the extenuating circumstances of the deed, and showed that in his belief no
jury could convict Mitchell, indicating that the proof of guilt was not
evident.
CLOSING ADDRESS
Mr. Morris in
closing said: “I appeal to you as a judge and as a man, I ask you if the
slaying of human leper, killed as you would kill a dog, is a deed to make this
man a criminal, to make a desperate murderer, a man too dangerous to be at
liberty in this community on bail. Can you call this boy, but 23 years of age,
a criminal when he, a green country youth, has arisen in his manhood and taken
the vengeance of nature upon the lustful viper who had stolen the honor of his
sisters. I have here the letter from the superintendent of the Orphan Girls;
and Boys’ Home of Oregon, wherein he says that he has heard the confession of
16-year-old Esther Mitchell to her criminal relations with Creffield.
MANNING’S LETTER
“I have the
letter of Prosecuting Attorney Manning of Portland, a man whom I believe is as
conscientious as our own honorable prosecutor, wherein he says that he sent
Creffield to prison for committing a crime of adultery with Mrs. Starr, the
older sister of Mitchell.
“Most pitiful,
and yet maddening of all, I have here the letter written by Mrs. Starr to her
husband, when she learned that Creffield was out of jail, and felt (text
illegible) his evil influence drawing her back to him. It tells how she left
her three infant children in the night. ‘I could not go by day,’ she writes, ‘for
they would have cried. It tells how she traveled 90 miles on foot to reach this
man who had robbed her of honor and reason, who has
filled the insane asylum of Oregon with others whom he has robbed of reason. I
submit these letters to the court.
BAIL IS DENIED
Such was the
strain of the thrilling story as told by the attorney for Mitchell, but in
spite of its apparent truth and appeal to the heart strings of every honest
man, Judge Frater was forced to deny the prisoner bail, explaining that under
the law he had no other recourse. “If my own feelings were consulted, I admit
that my decision might be different, but this is strictly a matter of law. The
statue as read appears to be clear and point out clearly the impossibility of
allowing this man his liberty under bail.”
Judge Frater had
his remarks taken by a court reporter, doubtless recollecting the criticism
that followed his decision in the Beede-McDonald case. He spoke very guardedly,
saying he would not allow his personal sentiments in the case to interfere with
his decision.
BEEDE A
SPECTATOR
An interested
spectator in the court room was George Beede, one of the principles in that
case who was accused of shooting Ray McDonald, whom he in turn accused of undue
intimacy with his (Beede’s) wife. In that case, Judge Frater made remarks
tending to justify the killing of a man or such a reason.
After the judge’s
decision Mitchell was led back to the jail, apparently unaffected by the
failure of his effort to get out. He will be in court again next Saturday to
plead, his plea being probably one of not guilty.
Seattle Post Intelligencer 5/12/1906 p5
Mitchell May Ask Court For Bail
His Attorney Declares that $10,000 Could
Be Raised.
It is probable
that after George Mitchell is arraigned in the superior court this morning on a
charge of murder in the first degree his attorney, Will H. Morris, will ask
that the prisoner be admitted to bail. Mr. Morris stated last night to a
reporter for the Post-Intelligencer that if the court will name a reasonable
sum as security for the appearance of the prisoner, he is certain that from
$5,000 to $10,000 can be secured.
“I see no reason why Mitchell should not be admitted to bail,” said Mr. Morris, “for other men in this county who have been held on like charge have been and the amount had been as low as $5,000. A number of Seattle people have assured me that if the court will allow it they will aid the Portland people who are anxious to help the young man, and will raise any reasonable sum required.
HEADLINES IN DIFFERENT PAPERS FOR THE SAME ARTICLE
Seattle Star 5/12/1906 p
What an Honorable Man Thinks of Geo. Mitchell
Head of Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society Writes Significant Letter. Ready to Produce Evidence of Provocation for Killing of Creffield.
Evening Telegram (Portland) 5/15/1906 p14
Gardner Would Help Mitchell
W. T. Gardner, superintendent of the Boys’ and Girls’ Aid society of Oregon, has written a letter to George Mitchell who is held without bail in the County Jail at Seattle for the murder of Edmund Creffield. The letter, which is given in full below, is a strong defense of Mitchell’s act in slaying the leader of the “Holy Rollers.”
“Portland, Or., May 9.--George Mitchell, Care County Sheriff, Seattle, Wash.-- Dear Sir: I think it my duty at this time to write you a few lines to say that if I could be of any assistance to you in giving evidence to show provocation, I should be pleased to do so, having had charge, as superintendent of this institution, of your sister, Esther, Florence Seeley and Eva May Hurt, all of whom were victims of Creffield’s lust, and who made confessions both to myself and the matron of this institution, that Creffield had criminal relations with them: and in the case of Eva May Hurt, her confession was of such a disgusting nature that I believe it was the only thing that kept her father from prosecuting Creffield, as he did not want the publicity which would probably be detrimental to his daughter hereafter. I also knew Mrs. Starr, and had considerable trouble with he in keeping her from seeing her sister while here, and was on the eve of sending her to the insane asylum.
“Sincerely trusting that you will get out of your present trouble speedily, and that you will be entirely exonerated for ridding the community of a human brute. I remain, very sincerely yours
“W. T. GARDNER.
“Superintendent Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society of Oregon.”
When Mitchell was arraigned at Seattle last Saturday, Judge Frater refused to admit him to bail, saying that no matter what his judgment of the case was as a man, as an officer sitting in judgment, the law left no other course open to him. Mitchell will be taken into court to plead next Saturday.
When Mitchell’s motion asking for bail was being argued his attorney, Will H. Morris, one of the ablest criminal lawyers in the Northwest, made this statement:
“I appeal to you as a Judge and as a man. I ask you if the slaying of a human leper, killed as you would kill a dog, is a deed to make this man a criminal, to make him a desperate murderer, a man too dangerous to be set at liberty in this community on bail. Can you call this boy, but 23 years of age, a criminal, when he, a green country youth, has arisen in his manhood and taken the vengeance of nature upon the viper who had stolen the honor of his sisters?”
Seattle Mail and Herald 5/12/1906 p3
Salmagundi
What do we have
laws and prosecuting attorneys for if people are to be encouraged by officers
of the law to “Take the law into their own hands?” Laws are made for the good
of society, and it ill becomes an officer sworn to obey the law and prosecute
all offenders against its majesty to apologize for red handed murder under any circumstances. Things have come to a pretty pass if offenders
like Creffield cannot be adequately punished by due process of law for any and
all kinds of offenses. Where is this sort of thing to stop? Suppose Mrs.
Creffield now gets a forty-four and kills Mitchell?
HEADLINES IN DIFFERENT PAPERS FOR THE SAME ARTICLE
Seattle Daily Times 5/12/1906 p1
Statue Prevents Granting Bail To Mitchell
Morning Oregonian (Portland) /13/1906 p15
Mitchell Is Denied Bail
Evening Telegram (Portland) 5/12/1906
Mitchell Denied Bail At Seattle
Superior Judge Frater While Intimating
That He Sympathizes With Creffield’s Slayer Holds Strictly to the Law.
Judge Frater Declared His Position on
Case of the Avenger.
Impassioned Appeal by His Attorneys in
Court Proves Futile.
[Telegram Coast
Special]
Cynosure of
every eye in a court room crowded by spectators, who by their [strained]
attitude, evinced their interest and sympathy, George Mitchell, the youthful
slayer of “Joshua” Creffield, the seducer of the former’s tow sisters, heard
Prosecuting Attorney Kenneth Mackintosh read the formal information by which
the law holds Mitchell for murder in the first degree. During this ordeal
Mitchell stood in front of the bar with shoulders thrown back, head erect and
the appearance of a man who believes himself justified in what he has done.
Later, while
listening to impassioned appeals by his attorneys in an unsuccessful effort to
have their client released on bail pending the trial, Mitchell, as he heard the
wrongs which the man he killed did to his sisters, sat with vowed head and nervously
twitching hands. Superior Judge Frater denied the application for bail, and set
Saturday, May 19 as the date on which Mitchell will plead to the charge against
him. Prosecuting Attorney Mackintosh, in opposing the request for bail, cited
the law in the case, which states explicitly that where a man is charged with
murder in the first degree and proof is evident or the presumption great, no
bail shall be granted.
ADMITS APPLICATION OF LAW
In making his
appeal that his client be given his liberty on bail. Attorney Will H. Morris
admitted that the law in the case clearly applied to his client so far as proof
or presumption was concerned.
“We have in
addition, however,” said Mr. Morris, “a divine law and a human law which admits
beyond all cavil the right of a man to protect the honor of his family. This
boy who had seen his sisters debauched by the man whom he killed and driven
frantic with the knowledge that the influence this man exercised over them had
led one of the women who is dear to him to desert her husband and children,
acted in the full knowledge that unless he acted as he did there was no
salvation for the misguided woman.
“He has slain a
human leper, one of the basest men who ever walked the earth and so thoroughly
does he feel that he was justified that I believe upon my honor as a member of
this court that if he was released upon his own recognizance he would make no
effort to escape a trial before any twelve men who might be selected as a jury.”
Mr. Morris cited
at considerable detail the events which led up to the killing
of Creffield and spoke at length of what has happened since young George
Mitchell took the law into his own hands. He spoke of the attitude taken in the
case of Prosecuting Attorney Manning of Multnomah County, Oregon, and said that
throughout the entire Northwest the daily papers had to a unit upheld the act
of Mitchell.
Mr. Morris
further cited the fact that only this morning Mitchell had received a letter
from the superintendent of the institution where the 16-year-old (sic) sister
of Mitchell is confined in which the writer stated that the girl had confessed
to him her relations with Creffield.
NEW PROVOCATION
This letter,
which was submitted to the court, is written by W. T. Gardner, superintendent
of the Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society of Oregon, an institution for the rescue of
homeless and abused children and women, the officers of which are among the
most prominent people in the state.
The writer
states that he deems it his duty to offer any assistance in his power to
Mitchell, as through his position and the fact that he has charge of Mitchell’s
sister and two other girls--Florence Seeley and Eva May Hurt--who were among
Creffield’s dupes, he has learned from them of the provocation which prompted
Mitchell’s act. Mr. Gardner closes by saying:
“I sincerely
trust that you will get out of your present trouble speedily and that you will
be entirely exonerated for ridding the community of a human brute.
CITES PRECEDENTS
Preceding Mr.
Morris, Attorney Silas M. Shipley, who is associated with him in the trial of
the case, made the opening plea for the granting of Mitchell’s release on bail.
Mr. Shipley stated that there had been no preliminary examination, the
information against Mitchell having been filed direct and that under the
circumstances the court would realize that they proved more provocation and
justification than has the investigation in a number of cases where a man
charged with murder in the first degree has been given his liberty on pail
pending trial.
Mr. Shipley
cited the case of Nellie Underwood, who was jointly charge with her husband of
murder in the first degree and who was released on $4,000 bail. The William E.
Langdon case, and that of the State vs. McCann in both
instances, the defendants being released on bail, were also cited.
Mr. Shipley
stated that he had been in the part of the county where the religious cult
started by Creffield had created such horror and grief and that he knew that if
Creffield had ever been seen in that country after being released from the
Oregon penitentiary his life would have paid the penalty.
“Nothing but an
intimate knowledge of the circumstances,” said Mr. Shipley, “can give any
conception of the impulse which prompted Mitchell and I contend that in asking
the court to be governed by precedent in this matter I am asking nothing
extraordinary.”
FRATER HOLDS TO LAW
It was after Mr.
Shipley had concluded that Prosecuting Attorney Mackintosh made his formal
objection to the motion and cited the law. He was followed by
Mr. Morris. Judge Frater then delivered his decision refusing to grant
bail.
Judge Frater
stated that he had been greatly interested in the arguments of the attorneys
and referred to his statements made in the Beede-McDonald case saying: “I have
said before from this bench that a man who invades the home of another for the
purpose of seduction must expect to receive death or injury at the hands of the
injured, but the fact that this may be deserved does not, however, justify
another to commit murder and this court does not want it understood that nay
such killing is condoned.
“I take it from
the statements which have been made that this is a case where, even though it
is murder under the law, the defendant may be acquitted. As a judge, however, I
cannot allow myself to be governed by my opinion as a man and must deal with
the question at issue as a proposition of law. The law seems clear and is not
questioned even by the attorneys for the defendant and there is nothing to do
but refuse the motion for bail.”
Evening Telegram (Portland) 5/12/1906 p4
Holy Rollerism Has Death Blow
Fanatical Faith Probably Will Not Be
Revived in This State. Uncanny Influence Exerted by Dead
Leader Responsible for Craze. Meaning of Creed
Designation Generally Misunderstood by Reading Public.
[Telegram Coast
Special]
ALBANY, Or., May 12.-- The death of Edmund Creffield very probably
means the end of Holy Rollerism. His followers are scattered and it is not
believed that they will ever unite again. When the “prophet” was sent to the
State Penitentiary his followers abandoned his teachings and returned to their
former life. with the founder of their fanatical faith
in his grace, there is probably no one who will try to take his place as leader
and reorganize the Rollers. The strange, weird rites, ceremonies and heathenish
customs of the sect will probably not be revived.
People familiar
with his peculiar teachings are theorizing on this strange fancy, which stands
as one of the marvels of religious fanaticism.
The name “Holy
Rollers” is generally misunderstood. People think its believers were called “Rollers”
because in their worship they were supposed to roll about the floor or ground,
and that the name “Holy Rollers” was given the sect on this account. Such is
not the case. Creffield himself is the originator of the name. He taught his
followers that there is a “Holy Roll” kept in heaven, on which the names of the
blessed are placed. He claimed that the names of earthly inhabitants were place
thereon only upon his recommendation, and hence his followers were the only
ones whose names were on the “Holy Roll.”
ORIGIN OF THE
SECT
The rise of Holy
Rollerism dates from the summer of 1903. Creffield was then in charge of the
Salvation Army Station at Corvallis. The doctrine arose gradually. Creffield
kept getting certain ones to attend meetings every evening, and the exercises
began more and more to take on characteristics which were later to distinguish
this sect and give it notoriety Nation-wide. The worshipers became more and
more demonstrative until the noise attracted large crowds. About the time
Creffieldism began to be a distinctive religion the city authorities of
Corvallis ordered the Salvation Army leader out of town.
Then the real
Holy Rollerism began. Creffield and a few followers established a camp on Mary’s
River, a few miles from Corvallis. The “prophet” began to inaugurate new
customs. Six weeks they remained there. Securing a strong following, prominent
people of Corvallis having been “converted,” Creffield moved his headquarters
into Corvallis.
The sect took
possession of the home of O.V. Hurt, a prominent merchant of Corvallis, whose
entire family had taken up the doctrine, and the orgies which first brought Holy Rollerism into prominence began. all carpets and furniture were removed from the house, placed in a pile in the
street and burned. The partitions in the house were torn out, and everything
but the bare walls and floors of the building was added to the fire.
WILD ORGIES AT
CORVALLIS
For several days
the ceremonies continued at the Hurt home. the followers, half clad, lay on the floor groaning and rolling about. They kept
their faces constantly covered with clothes, and refused all food except merely
enough to sustain life. Creffield moved among them, and frequently claimed he
received messages from God commanding certain things. By such divine order, the
prophet announced sidewalks in front of the house should be torn up and burned.
This was done.
The practice
soon became so objectionable that many of the men deserted the band. Citizens
of Corvallis made such strong objection to the outrage that the crowd was
temporarily broken up. Men whose wives and children were in the frenzied
performance took them to their homes and kept them there. Fearing interference
by Benton County authorities, who evinced a desire to
break up the gang, Creffield decided to leave the county. He wished to keep in
touch with his Corvallis followers, however, so Frank Hurt rented a house in
Linn County, across the river from Corvallis, and there a new headquarters was
established.
TAR AND FEATHERS
USED
Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Hurt, Creffield, Brooks and eight or ten young women went to the place
and remained there. On the night of January 4, 1904, Corvallis men tarred and
feathered Creffield and Brooks. The latter left the country, and has never
reappeared. The following day, January 5, Creffield and Maud Hurt drove to
Albany with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hurt, secured a license, and were married by County Judge Palmer.
Frank Hurt and
wife returned to their headquarters, but Creffield and wife went to Portland. Creffield
remained there about two months until he learned that the charge which
afterward landed him in prison, was to be preferred, when he disappeared. for three months officers searched for the missing “prophet.”
Many thought he had left the state, but the manner of the Holy Rollers made
Corvallis people think he was in hiding in or near that city. This was
afterward found to be true.
CREFFIELD IN
HIDING
On July 30,
1904, a boy looking for a kitten under the house of O. V. Hurt found Creffield.
He was entirely nude, his face covered with a heavy beard. He had been living
in a small dugout just deep enough to conceal him, beneath the dwelling.
His only bed was
a single blanket. The “prophet” had evidently been fed by his
followers, but that he had suffered from the lack of food was evidenced
by his condition.
Creffield was
taken to Portland, tried on a statutory charge, and sentenced to the State
Penitentiary for two years. His time was shortened for good behavior and work
in the road gang.
That he did not
abandon his theories while in prison is shown by a speech he made at an
evangelistic service, which the road gang were allowed to attend one evening
while working on roads near Eola Ferry, south of Salem.
When opportunity to speak was given, Creffield arose and made a conservative
portrayal of his Holy Roller doctrine, and his knowledge of Holy Writ caused
surprise until his identity was learned.
HIS RELEASE FROM PRISON
When released
from prison in February, he went to Seattle, and there planned to collect his
followers. By means of letters to friends in Oregon City, he secured a foothold
and sent the Mitchell girl, sister of his slayer, to Corvallis with messages. His
former wife, who had secured a divorce while he was in the penitentiary, joined
him, and they were remarried early in April.
While Creffield
was in the penitentiary, most of his followers were sent to the State Insane
Asylum. Linn and Benton counties made special effort to eradicate the evil of
Creffield’s teachings. There the women abandoned their customs of going
bareheaded, constantly carrying Bibles, and following other teaching of
Creffield.
Most of them
eagerly took up with the (sic) however, and went to Waldport, a town on the
Alsea Bay, establishing a camp in an isolated region where they hoped they
would not be disturbed. Events following the establishment of that camp, ending
in Creffield’s tragic death, are recent history.
STRANGE
INFLUENCE EXERTED
Creffield’s
remarkable power over his followers is something that cannot be explained;
something no one professes to understand. Mystery pervades it; it partakes of
the occult. People say their neighbors--men and women of education and
ability--drawn into his clutches and performing the antics of madmen, and
watched in wonderment. They knew the self-styled Joshua had some strange, weird
power. some called it hypnotism; some mesmerism, and
some the power of suggestion. though it partook of the
characteristics of all, there was something distinctive about it--something
new. His followers said he was divine. Creffield himself never vouchsafed and
explanation of his power except to tell his superstitious satellites that he
communed with God.
Creffield could
command anything of his followers, and be obeyed. His fancy could wander where
it would and his followers believed his every word. He said he was a prophet
and was in daily communication with the Supreme Being. His followers never
doubted it. He said he was Joshua come to earth. The Holy Rollers had implicit
faith in this claim. After his liberation from the state Penitentiary he called
himself Christ. And by that name his followers knew him. when he heard of the destruction of San Francisco he told his followers that it was
his work--a doom he had pronounced. His people only wondered the more. He said
Portland and Corvallis would also be demolished, and the Rollers confidently
awaited that result.
THOUGHT HE COULD
NEVER DIE
No stronger
testimonial from his followers of the veneration in which he was held could be
given than the words of his wife when he was shot down in Seattle: “He can
never die,” she said. That was the belief of all who had adopted his teachings.
It would seem, from the fact that all were cured of fanaticism after their leader was imprisoned, that his presence was necessary to keep them under control. Yet, when he reorganized his band at Waldport, he gathered his former followers by merely sending messages. In fact, almost as soon as he was at liberty and his people knew it, they were anxious to join him.
Chapters of Holy Rollers where these articles are some of the sources:
Chapter 15: I Got My Man
Chapter 16: The Widow Creffield
***May 11, 1906: Bail Is All Ready
May 13, 1906: Creffield is Due To Rise Today
***
1897-1903: B.C. (Before Creffield)
October to December 1903:Holy Rollers Burn Furniture & Pets
January to March, 1904: Holy Rollers Tarred and Feathered
April to June 1904: Holy Rollers are Committed to the Asylum
July 1904: Creffield is Found & Arrested
September 1904: Creffield's Trial
April 1906: Men are Gunning For Creffield
May 1906: Creffield is Murdered, Murderer is Considered a Hero
May 1906: Holy Rollers Found Starving Near Heceta Head
June 1906: George Mitchell's Trial Begins
July 1906: Hurt Testifies of Debauched Wife and Debased Sisters
July 1906: Esther Mitchell Kills Her Brother
August to October 1906: Seattle Prepares for another Big Trial
November 1906: Maud Hurt Creffield Commits Suicide
April 1909-August 1914: Esther Leaves the Asylum
1953 Stewart Holbrook's Murder Without Tears
1951Startling Detective Magazine, Nemesis of the Nudist High Priest
***
Chapter 1: Trust Me, Brothers And Sisters
(Life Before Creffield [B.C.])
Chapter 2: God, Save Us From Compromising Preachers
(Creffield's Preachings)
Chapter 3: The Flock
(Profiles of the Holy Rollers Were)
Chapter 4: The Holy Rollers
(Things Start to Get Wild on on Kiger Island)
Chapter 5: Housecleaning
(There's a Sacrificial Bonfire)
Chapter 6: Community Concerns
(Officers Visit)
Chapter 7: Esther, The Chosen One
(Creffield Plans to Marry 16-Year- Old)
Chapter 8: Tar and Feathers
(The Men of Corvallis Act)
Chapter 9: Sane People Don’t Go Bareheaded
(Holy Rollers are Committed to the Asylum)
Chapter 10: More Beast Than Man
( Creffield is Arrested)
Chapter 11: God Will Plead Creffield's Case
(Creffield in Court)
Chapter 12: Scandal
(Shocking Testimony at the Trial)
Chapter 13: Calm Before the Storm
(The Holy Rollers Resume their Lives)
Chapter 14: Giving Up The Ghost
(Men are Gunning for Creffield)
Chapter 16: The Widow Creffield
Chapter 19: An Inherited Streak of Insanity
Chapter 23: Seeking Reconciliation
Chapter 24: Another Holy Roller Page One Murder
Chapter 25: What Can Papa Do For You?
Chapter 26: Human Life is Too Cheap In This Community
Chapter 30: The Final Chapter
(What Happened to Everyone Afterwards)
The Epilogue
(Heaven's Gate)
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***
Home Chapters Articles Asylum Records Brainwashing Hymns Contact
1897-1899:Local Lore, News Of Corvallis and Vicinity Told in Brief B. C. (Before Creffield)
1900:Holy Rollers' Lives Before Creffield
1901:Holy Rollers' Lives Before Creffield
1902:Holy Rollers' Lives Creffield
January 18, 1903: Fred Mitchell Attempts Suicide
June 10, 1903: Salvation Army Major Deserts and Joins the Holy Rollers
October 31, 1903: Zealot Worshipers Burn Furniture, Dogs & Other Things
November 2, 1903: Fanatics In Court
November 3, 1903: Had Promise of Tar and Feathers
November 4, 1903: Flight of The Apostles
November 5, 1903: Once-Esteemed Family No Longer Has the Sympathy of the Community
November 6, 1903: Rollers Take On New Life
November 7, 1903: Is Creffield Back?
November 11, 1903: “Apostle” Creffield Still Under Cover
November 24, 1903: Girl of Sixteen Almost Insane
November 25, 1903: In Pursuit of Creffield
November 27, 1903: The Lord May Starve Them
November 28, 1903: Holy Rollers Receive Unwilling Baptism
December 7, 1903: Demented Woman Suffers
December 8, 1903: Hurt Seen In Portland
December 11, 1903:Holy Rollers Roll Into Eugene Church
December 21, 1903:Holy Roller Victim Worse December 22, 1903: Linn County Holy Rollers December 23, 1903: Is Crazy Now
December 29, 1903: Holy Rollers’ Not Liked at the Dalles December 30, 1903: Owner of Property Refuses to Permit Séances January 6, 1904: Holy Rollers Tarred and Feathered January 9, 1904: Their Welcome Departure January 12, 1904: Editorial Comment: “Put yourselves in our place!” January 13, 1904: Where Brooks Went January 19, 1904: Our Brainy Contemporaries January 25: Holy Rollers’ in Hobo Camp Life February 1, 1904: Camp In Linn County Is Broken Up By Officers February 6, 1904: How They Tell The Holy Roller Story In Far Off Scotland February 11, 1904: Medium Mystify Corvallis People March 1, 1904: The “Holy Rollers” Offend Humanity March 16, 1904: Holy Rollers to Be Arrested on Serious Charge March 17, 1904: Where is the Apostle? March 21, 1904: Reward For Creffield's Capture March 23, 1904: Fugitive Creffield March 28, 1904: Reward is Offered April 1, 1904: “Holy Roller” Chief Very Badly Wanted April 18, 1904: Holy Roller High Priest Is Seen April 29, 1904: Urania Seeley is Arrested May 2, 1904: Frank & Mollie Hurt are Committed to the Asylum May 4, 1904: Maud Hurt-Creffield & Sophia Hartley are Committed May 7, 1904: Attie Bray &Rose Seeley are Committed June 11, 1904: Attie Bray Escapes June 17, 1904: Mae Hurt is Committed June 29, 1904: Sarah Hurt is Committed July 22, 1904: Holy Roller on Death Row July 29, 1904: Creffield Found Half Dead Under Hurt’s House July, 30 1904: Armed Guards Protect Creffield July, 31 1904: Corvallis Could Not Raise a Mob August 1, 1904: Creffield says, "I am Elijah" August 2, 1904: Creffield Does Not Dislike Prison August 4, 1904: Creffield Says He Is Entirely Purified August 5, 1904: He Does Nothing Unless Directed by God August 6, 1904: Creffield Believes in Satan and Eternal Punishment August 9, 1904: No Flowers For Creffield August 13, 1904; The Holy Rollers And The Man Who Made Them August 16, 1904; Creffield Reward Will Be Returned August 19, 1904: Followers in Asylum Stick To Faith August 23, 1904: Creffield Will Fight His Own Case August 28, 1904: Creffield Destroys His Revelations September 16, 1904: Creffield is Guilty September 21, 1904: Holy Rollers go in and Out of the Asylum March 22, 1905: Prison Life Of Joshua Creffield> April 8, 1905: Life In Corvallis Returns to Normal December 12, 1905: Frank & Mollie Hurt Have a Baby Girl April 24, 1906: Creffield Establishes a Camp Near Waldport April 30, 1906: Donna Starr Leaves Children to go to Her Spiritual Love, Joshua Creffield May 1, 1906: Creffield Takes Credit for The San Francisco Earthquake May 3, 1906: Creffield In Fear Of His Life May 7, 1906: Holy Roller Shot Down Like A Dog May 8, 1906: Medal to Be Given Mitchell in Recognition of His Killing May 9, 1906: Oregon Prosecutor Would Aid Mitchell May 10, 1906: Shows No Emotion At Husband’s Grave May 11, 1906: Bail Is All Ready May 12, 1906: Mitchell Denied Bail May 13, 1906: Creffield is Due To Rise Today May 14, 1906: Creffield’s Widow Watches At Grave May 15, 1906: Corvallis Starts Fund for Defense of Mitchell May 16, 1906: Holy Rollers Starving Near Heceta Head May 17, 1906: Public Sentiment Favors Mitchell May 18, 1906: Creffield Railed in Vermont May 19, 1906: Mitchell to Enter Plea of Not Guilty May 27, 1906: Joshua Says Not to Worry June 1, 1906: Morris Claims Mitchell Rid World of a Fiend June 16, 1906: Prosecution and Defense are Making Last Preparations June 19, 1906: Many Witnesses For Mitchell June 24, 1906: Trial Will Cost Taxpayers Ten Thousand Dollars June 25, 1906: George Mitchell on Trial For His Life June 26, 1906: Mitchell Jury is Selected With Care June 27, 1906: Mitchell Trial Held Up By Squabble June 28, 1906: Jury is Secured to Try Mitchell June 29, 1906: Trial is Now on in Earnest June 30, 1906: Mrs. Creffield's Testimony July 1, 1906: Creffield’s Ghost Controls His Flock July 2, 1906: Esther Mitchell on Stand Refuses To Aid Brother July 3, 1906: Hurt Tells of Debauched Wife and Debased Sisters July 4, 1906: Creffield’s Unsavory Record Presented to the Jury July 5, 1906: Expected Admissibility of Evidence Will Arouse Controversy July 6, 1906: Others Testify They Wished to Kill Creffield July 7, 1906: Insanity Expert on the Witness Stand July 8, 1906: Plan To Revive Holy Rollerism July 9, 1906: Killing of Judge Emory May Effect Mitchell July 10, 1906: Mitchell Case Goes To Jury July 12, 1906: General Rejoicing at Mitchell’s Acquittal July 13, 1906: Esther Mitchell Kills Her Brother! July 14, 1906: Mitchell Boys Are Done With Esther July 15, 1906: Hurt Will Come to Aid of His Daughter July 16: 1906: Will Mortgage His Home for Daughter July 17, 1906: Let’s Think When We Talk July 18, 1906: Mrs. Starr’s Life Threatened July 19, 1906: Mrs. Creffield Weeps in Jail July 20, 1906: George Mitchell’s Attorney Offers Aid to Murderesses July 21, 1906: Mitchell Boys to Stand by Esther July 22, 1906: Hurt Thinks Both Women Are Insane July 23, 1906: Frater Favors a Commission of Alienists July 24, 1906: Mackintosh Will Oppose Calling Commission July 26, 1906: Is Reconciled to Holy Roller Wife July 27, 1906: Holy Rollers Seek Home in Wyoming July 28, 1906: Mitchell Juror is Insane July 30, 1906: Esther Will Deny Committing Murder In The 1st Degree July 31 1906: Esther Mitchell Says Not Guilty August 1, 1906: Relatives to Help Esther Mitchell August 4, 1906: Creffield Greatly Hurt True Religion August 6, 1906: Mitchell Boys in Drunken Row August 8, 1906: St. Louis Woman Coming to Convert “Rollers” August 12, 1906: Esther Mitchell Close to Death from Typhoid August 13, 1906: Esther Mitchell Not Seriously Ill September 1, 1906: Four Charged with First Degree Now in County Jail September 10 1906: To Examine Minds of Slayers September 12, 1906: Hurt Thinks His Daughter Insane September 13, 1906: Esther Mitchell Objects to Help September 14, 1906: Women Not Agitated September 15, 1906: Mrs. Creffield’s Trial Set for Next Month September 17, 1906: Mrs. Creffield on Stand September 18, 1906: Maud Creffield Anxious to Hang September 19, 1906: Are They Sane of Insane? September 21, 1906: Both Women May Go Scott Free September 22, 1906: Where is This Thing to End! September 23, 1906: Murders Must Be Tried September 24, 1906: Must Not Deport September 25, 1906: Judge Frater is in Very Small Business September 28, 1906: Insanity Board Not Paid October 1, 1906: Holy Roller Woman Dies While in Trance November 9, 1906: Mrs. Creffield Said to Be in Very Nervous State November 17, 1906: Maud Creffield Dies in the County Jail November 18, 1906: Death May End a Hypnotic Spell November 19, 1906: Reviews Findings in Examination of Brain November 20, 1906: Mrs. Creffield Killed Herself with Poison! November 21, 1906: Poison Is Found In The Stomach Of Mrs. Creffield November 22, 1906: Esther Says Maud Did Not Kill Herself December 4, 1906: Washing Dirty Linen December 17, 1906: Sad Christmas For Holy Roller February 21, 1907: Esther Mitchell Goes to Asylum April 30, 1907: Esther Mitchell Still Believe in Creffield & His Return April 6, 1909: Esther Mitchell Leaves Asylum April 9, 1914: Esther Mitchell Marries James Berry August 3, 1914: Esther Mitchell is Dead By Own Hand 1953 Stewart Holbrook's Murder Without Tears 1951 Startling Detective Magazine: Nemesis of the Nudist High PriestA List of All the Articles
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1903 to 1907 Newspaper Articles About the Holy Rollers
1906 Editorial Calling for Gun Control
After Multiple Murders Involving the Holy Rollers
Stewart Holbrook Holy Rollers Article
Advertisements from 1893 to 1913
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Oregon Insane Asylum
Where the Holy Rollers Were Committed
Creffield, Brainwashing & Thought Reform
Early Cases of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
1906 Autopsies Of Holy Rollers
Forensics Before CSI
Holy Roller Bizarre Divorce Decree
Hartley describes trying to kill his wife's lover
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The Shadow Testament
A Play About The Holy Rollers
How the Fire Fell
A Movie About The Holy Rollers
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Life in Corvallis in the early 1900s
Life in Waldport, OR in early 1900s
Facts & Stats about 1906
And How The Holy Rollers Measured Up
Oregon State Penitentiary
Where Creffield Was Incarcerated
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Could you ever be lured into joining a cult?
Share your thoughts about, and experiences with, cults
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The Salvation Army Opening Fire in 1886
Reverend Knapp's Bible Songs of Salvation & Victory
Songs Sung by the Holy Rollers
About the Authors
In addition to writing, McCracken is a cartoonist.
To see some of her 'toons, go to the Home of McHumor Cartoons mchumor.com
Snail Mail
Theresa (T-) McCracken
890 North Bayview Loop
Waldport, Oregon 97394
(541) 563-3112
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Theresa (T-) McCracken