THE MOKXING OREGOXIAN, FRIDAY. JtHLT 13, 1906.
MITCHELL GIRL
VERY FANATICAL
SISTER SMILES
AT FATEFUL NEWS
"IT SAVED MY LIFE"
PRAISE FOR A FAMOUS MEDICINE
Mr. WUladsen Tells How She Tried Lydla
E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound Just
in Time.
Mrs. T. C. Willadsen, of Manning,
Iowa, writes to Mrs. Pinkham:
Dear Mrs. Pinkham :
I can truly say that you have saved my
life, and I cannot express my gratitude to
you in words.
GROUP OF HOLY ROLLERS, FOLLOWERS OF EDMOND CREFFIELD, AMONG THEM ESTHER MITCHELL
Mrs. B. E. Starr Not Perturbed
at the Murder of Her
Brother George.
Picked by Creffield as His
Companion Before He Mar
ried Maud Hurt.
MAY HAVE KNOWN OF PLOT
SANE ON OTHER SUBJECTS
O. V. Hurt Says He Warned George
to Leave Seattle as Soon as
Possible if He Was Ac
quitted at Trial.
CORVALLIS, Or., July 12. (Special.)
The feeling of satisfaction felt here over
the acquittal of George Mitchell gives
place to one of sorrow tonight over the
news that the slayer has been slain by the
hand of his own sister. The entire popu
lation 1b deeply concerned.
Esther Mitchell left this town for Seat
tle to Join Mrs. Maud Hurt Creffield as
Boon as the news of the shooting of Cref
field was received. On the subject of
Rollerism she was always the most fa
natical of any of Creffield's followers.
This was evident in the earlier days of the
cult, when she was the most enthusiastic
of all who practiced it.
It Is well known that It was Esther
Mitchell that Creffield originally selected
to be his companion, but that the plan
was disarranged by her being taken East,
after which Creffield married Maud Hurt.
Esther Mitchell was the first one to be
committed to the Boys' and Girls' Home,
having been until that time an inmate for
some time of the home of O. V. Hurt.
Kther Mitchell Rarely Smiles.
Then, as now and at all other times,
there was a far-away look in her eyes
and she had an absorbed air. Little In
terest was taken in affairs about her. She
rarely smiled, and was never gay. In
disposition, however, she was kindly and
gentle.
"I am not surprised to hear of this ter
rible affair." said Mr. Hurt tonight. . "Es
ther Mitchell Is, as I said in my testimony
at Seattle, and have always said, 'off on
this subject. They were all mentally un
sound on this religious business, though
well-balanced on all other subjects. That
a freak notion to avenge Creffield In the
same way that he was killed should have
seized her or other pronounced followers
of the cult is no more than might have
been suspected.
Hurt Had Premonition of Trouble.
"I was with Esther Mitchell and my
daughter in Seattle all of Sunday a week
ago. and was twice with them when they
visited Creffield's grave, but nothing was
dropped on either occasion giving any hint
of a desire for revenge. But underneath
this religious hallucination and controlled
by it ran a current of fanaticism that I
was familiar with, and which, before I
left Seattle, caused me to advise George
Mitchell, In case of his acquittal, to leave
there at once and come to Portland and
there go about his business.
"I felt that something might happen,
and In this tragedy of this afternoon my
fears are realized. It Is a most melan
choly affair."
Esther Mitchell was IS years old last
January. While a witness at the Seattle
trial. James K. Berry, of this city, was
asked by the Mitchell brothers to visit
her and ascertain if she would consent to
accompany her father and Perry Mitchell
to Portland, and there keep house for
them.
Girl Refuses to Go East.
"I made the trip for them, and was
kindly and graciously received?" said Mr.
Berry tonight. "Esther was then with
the police matron. When I explained my
errand she readily consented to the plan
to go to Portland, but stoutly refused to
go East. There was nothing in her man
ner at the time of the interview to lead
me to anticipate such trouble as has oc
curred, although she was angry with her
brother for the killing of Creffield, and
did not hesitate to say so.
"The fact that she declared after the
shooting that she was commanded by
Joshua to do it; that she shot her brother
in about the same spot that he shot Cref
field, show how completely she Is under
the spell of her betrayer still, arid in all
things connected with religion as crazy as
a loon. On all other subjects she Is well
balanced and intelligent."
MITCHELL SHOT BY SISTER
(Continued From Page 1.)
dreds of curious spectators attracted by
the shooting thronged the depot, sur
rounded the Jail and fought for admit
tance at the morgue where Mitchell's
body lay. But so far as possible the
police kept the crowd away. Chief of
Police Wappensteln detailed special
squads to drive back the people.
Bitter Against Prank Hurt.
Perry and Fred Mitchell were brought
to the station later. Perry sobbing bit
terly, but Fred bearing up under the
ptraln without manflestlng emotion. Be
twien his sobs Perry begged that the
police relieve Esther of blame, declaring
that she was deluded and Irresponsible.
But he cried for vengeance against Frank
Hurt, whom he accused of supplying
Esther and Mrs. Creffield with money,
and. Mrs. Creffield, whom he declared
must have inspired the girl.
"Don't blame Esther," he said. "She
was not responsible. It's Mrs. Creffield.
Esther has been prevailed upon to do
this. She thought it was right. When I
saw her at the depot she came toward
me as though she was glad. She greeted
George without saying anything, but In
a manner that Indicated that she was
ready to be reconciled.
"Then she volunteered to walk to the
door with us and we started ahead of her
-with Fred and Esther following. She shot
George," he ended with a sob.
Fred Mitchell supplemented the state
ment with an explanation that he had
gone to see Esther this morning to effect
a raconelllatlon. She declared to him
again that she felt a deep resentment
toward George and did not believe the
family had treated her properly In giving
family details publicity. But she received
-
This Is an authentic photograph of Edmond Creffield and bis followers. Esther Mitchell Is the fourth reading from left to right of those standing. A cros
mark Is placed above her head. Edmond Creffield, to avenge whose killing she killed her brother, Is the man seated In the front row with the women. Reading from
left to right, those seated are: Mrs. Louis Hartley, Miss Olive Sandal, Mrs. Burgess E. Starr, Mrs. Wurll, Mae Hurt, Maud Hurt Creffield, Edmond Creffield,
Mrs. O. V. Hurt, Miss Sophie Hartley, Miss Attle Bray. Those standing, from left to right, are: Sampson Levins, C. E. Brooks, Hattle Starr, Esther Mitchell, Rose
Seeley, Florence Seeley. Mrs. Frank Hurt, Frank Hurt, Edna Seeley, Una Baldwin and M. Campbell.
the statement of George and Perry's in
tending departure with apparent interest.
Perry's Acconnt of Killing.
At that time she did not Indicate any
intention of going to the depot. Later
Perry Mitchell dictated this statement to
the Chief of Police:
"At the depot I went to check my grip
and when I came back I saw Esther
standing behind the pillar there, looking
around the crowd, seemingly looking for
us.
"Looked as If nothing was the matter.
I said: 'Why, Esther.' She said: 'I just
came down to see you off.' Just then I
motioned for George. He came up and
spoke to her (she made the remark to
the matron that she wanted to see
George), and George shook hands with
her there. She said: 'I will walk out to
the door with you. I and George walked
on ahead talking. She dropped back and
Fred was by her side. Fred said to her:
'Let me carry your coat.' She had a
coat over her arm and seemingly had a
gun In her hand. And she said: 'All
right, and, like a flash, shot him down
before we had time to even think."
MITCHELL ACCUSES HURT.
Seattle Police Cannot Accede to De
mand for Arrest.
SEATTLE, Wash., July 12. (Special.)
Perry Mitchell, at the police station, ac
cused Frank Hurt of being responsible
for the crime, In that he had furnished
the women with money. He demanded
that he be arrested, but Perry Mitchell
had only his own suspicions upon which
to base his claims. At that. Chief of Po
lice Wappensteln agreed with him that
the entire Holy Roller colony should be
picked up, but as they are living outside
his jurisdiction, the police can do noth
ing. Fred Mitchell does not believe the Holy
Rollers were contemplating an immediate
re-establlshment of their colony, for his
sister Esther told him, after refusing to
go East with her father, that she did not
Intend to return to the Holy Rollers. But
he united with his brother in the demand
for a general clean-up of the Holy Roller
colony here. If there are any affiliated
with the sect in town, they will be ar
rested by the police.
Esther Is Congratulated.
SEATTLE, Wash., July 12. (Special.)
Late tonight the following telegram
was received at the County Jail from
William H. Upton, dated at Walla
Walla:
"Accept thanks and congratulations
and assistance if needed. Talk your
lawyer only."
The telegram was given by the Jail
ers to Miss Mitchell. She read it In si
lence, and handed back the message
without comment. Whom Upton may be
is unknown to local authorities and
the two women will not tell.
CHRONOLOGY OF CREFFIELD AND HOLY
ROLLERISM
Holy Rollerism, as taught by "Jo3hua" Creffield, had Its inception at
Corvallis, Or., in the Spring of 1903. Creffield held campmeetings and suc
ceeded in getting a group of followers at once.
Previous to this he had been a Salvation Army worker. He was born In
Germany and was a deserter from the German army.
On the night of January 4, 1904, his fanatical teachings had gone to such
lengths that Indignant fathers and husbands of Corvallis women took him
out and gave him a coat of tar and feathers. They gave similar treatment
to one of his male followers. C. Brooks. The men were warned that they
would be killed should they ever return to Corvallis.
The next day Creffield returned covertly and was secreted by the Hurt
women under the floor of their home. Here he dispensed with his clothing,
proclaimed himself a prophet of God and carried on his revolting orgies in
the name of religion.
July 2S. 1904. Creffield's hidmg-place became known and he was taken out
and put In jail.
In the meantime, Esther Mitchell, because of his influence over her, had
been sent to the Boys' and Girls' Aid Society. 'After being kept there a few
weeks, she was sent to her father's home In Illinois. She was not permitted
to return to Oregon until Creffield was sent to the penitentiary. Other
women. Including Mrs. O. V. Hurt. Mae Hurt and Maud Hurt, were sent
to the Insane asylum for a short time because of Creffield's influence over
them while he was secreted under the Hurt residence.
Creffield, a few days after his discovery, was brought to Portland and
tried on a statutory charge preferred by Burgess E. Starr, husband of Mitch
ell's elder sister, a Creffield victim.
In August Creffield was found guilty. He refused to have a lawyer and
tried to clear himself by reading passages from the Bible. When found
guilty he made no effort to secure leniency, simply stating that, like Christ,
he was misunderstood.
Soon after Creffield went to prison his wife, Maud Hurt Creffield. whom
he married shortly before being tarred and feathered, secured a divorce.
There were no further Holy Roller demonstrations, and seemingly the dan
gerous cult was broken up.
Early In February of 1906, Creffield's sentence was commuted by good
behavior, and he left the state prison, going to California. From there he
got in correspondence with his former wife, who had remained with her
father, O. V. Hurt, at Corvallis. A reconciliation was effected. Creffield
returned to the vicinity of Corvallis and got a number of women and one
man, Frank Hurt, to go to a lonely spot on the beach in Lincoln County.
His purpose was to found a Holy Roller colony. He made particular efforts
to secure Esther Mitchell to his keeping, saying she was to be the mother
of a second Christ, who was to be born to the world.
Late in April of this year. Mitchell, after being released from the Good
Samaritan Hospital in Portland, where he had been confined with an attack
of measles, declared to close friends his intention of killing Creffield. He
told several persons God had told him to remove the Holy Roller from the
earth for ruining his sisters.
About May 1 Mitchell went to Albany in search of Creffield. While
there he saw Maud Hurt Creffield. and by following her learned that Cref
field was In Seattle. The Holy Roller prophet had gone there supposedly
for the purpose of raising funds for the camp on the coast.
May 7. early in the morning Creffield and Maud Hurt Creffield, whom
he had remarried, started down town to do some shopping. As they passed
down First avenue Mitchell stepped suddenly behind Creffield and shot him
dead.
Esther Mitchell at once denounced the act. and seemed to care nothing
as to the fate of her brother. She maintained this attitude throughout his
trial.
July 10, after being on trial for 11 days, Mitchell was acquitted by a jury
in the Superior Court, after an hour and 25 minutes of deliberation.
it
-BYE TO THE JAILERS
GEORGE MITCHELL WAS IN
VERY CHEERY HUMOR.
Sheriff Smitb Says That Esther
Mitchell Had Threatened
the Murder.
SEATTLE, July 12. "Good-by, boys;
you've been mighty good to me, and I
want to thank you for it. Good-bye."
It was these words that George
Mitchell said farewell to the Jailers at
the County Courthouse, 20 minutes be
fore he was shot dead by his own sister.
He left the jail for the last time, taking
his way toward the Union Depot, where
he was to meet his death.
For an hour today Mitchell sat In the
office of the Jail, chatting with Deputy
Sheriffs Smith and Larson. It was not
as a criminal he talked, say the men who
had come to know him and had a deep
regard for him, but easily and cheerfully.
Mitchell spent today with Louis Sanr
dall, a friend, who lives on Mercer
Island. About 3 o'clock he came to the
Jail to get his razor and knife which had
been taken from him during his con
finement. He sat down and talked with
Larson and Smith for almost an hour,
telling them that he intended to go to
Portland on the train this afternoon, but
said little of his plans.
"He did not mention his sister at all,"
said Smith tonight. "In fact. I think I
never heard him say anything about her.
He talked on general matters and was
particular to thank us for what we did
for him.
"Mitchell was a very unusual prisoner.
He was quiet and kind, and in the short
time he was here we had come to like
him very much. In fact there have been
few here whom we cared so much for
as that boy. I was sorry to say good
bye, though I suppose he was glad to go."
"Well, she threatened it," said Sheriff
Lou C. Smith today, when the news
reached him of Mitchell's murder at the
hands of his sister.
"She said she had been present when
Mitchell shot Creffield and If she had had
a gun, she would have killed him," said
the Sheriff. "I do not remember to whom
6he made this statement, but it is a
well-known fact that she has practically
said she would kill her brother under
provocation. She was evidently so infat
uated with Creffield, so crazed by her
brother's deed that the chance to kill
him was sought and she took it.
"During her stay in this city, from the
beginning of the trial until July 6, Mrs.
B. E. Starr, sister of George and Esther
Mitchell, roomed at the Stevens hotel.
From Information received there, It seems
that Mrs. Starr and Esther Mitchell held
conversations over the telephone dally,
Mrs. Starr's telephone bill for one day
often aggregating 85 cents. She was in
the habit of calling up Esther Mitchell or
Esther would call her up as often as
seven and eight times a day. The con
versation was chiefly on the outcome
of the trial, but neither committed them
selves as to what they thought would be
the outcome.
"Mrs. Starr left for Pendleton July 6
with her husband, and previous to their
departure Esther Mitchell spoke to her
over the telephone, asking her for a loan
of some money.
" 'About how much?' asked Mrs. Starr.
" 'Oh, not a great deal,' replied Esther
Mitchell. 'Just enough to tide me over
for a few days and then I'll not need
any.'
"Her sister asked for an explanation
of her remark, but she refused, and
made light of It. During the conversation
Mrs. Starr spoke of leaving her hus
band in order to take up her residence
with Esther and Mrs. Creffield, but was
strongly advised against this step by
Esther.
" 'Stay with your husband,' said Esther,
'He is good to you and as long as he is
you will have nothing to regret." "
George and Perry Mitchell intended to
leave the city Wednesday evening at the
same time as their father, F. M. Mitchell,
did. but later changed their minds. Wed
nesday evening the father was approach
ed by Perry and George Mitchell. "I
don't think we will leave for Portland
this evening." said George. "Perry and
I have decided to remain until tomorrow
afternoon." That evening Mr. Mitchell
left for Mount Vernon, 111., his home, be
ing accompanied by Perry and George
to the depot. The two boys also gave up
their rooms at the Stevens at the same
time as their father did.
STORY TOLD BY EYE-WITNESS
Samuel A. Hering, of This City, De
scribes Shooting of Mitchell.
A frail, slight woman kissed her
brother good-bye with every Indication of
affection, and then, as he turned to
leave her, drew a revolver from her dress
and shot him down at her feet, such is
the scene described by eye-witnesses of
the killing of George Mitchell by Esther
Mitchell, who arrived from Seattle over
the Northern Pacific late last night.
These eyewitnesses were at the Union
Depot In Seattle waiting to board the
train at the time the fatal shot was
fired. They say his parting kiss to his
sister was the last act of the murdered
man. With the report of the revolver
he sank to the floor without a sound and
not a muscle twitched as he died.
Policemen immediately seized the
Mitchell woman, who yielded up her re
volver without the slightest protest and
submitted to the handcuffs that were put
on her wrists. Throughout the sensa
tional scene she acted with surprising
coolness, but in a few moments the
strain she had been under began to tell
on her and she showed signs of nerv
ousness. Samuel A. Hering, general agent for
the Fruitgrowers' Express, with offices
in the Lumber Exchange building, was
within 50 feet of the couple when the
shot kas flred. Instantly deserting his
grips, as did other passengers who were
leaving Seattle on the 4:30 train, he
rushed to the spot where Mitchell lay
dead In a pool of his own blood.
Mitchell's brother. Perry, bent over him
In anguish, insistently calling his name
and imploring the dead man to speak to
him.
"Those who were nearer the two when
the woman fired the shot." said Mr.
Hering. "told me that Just before Esther
Mitchell drew the revolver, she kissed
her brother, George, who had bought his
ticket and was in the act of taking the
train for Portland. As he turned, she
shot him through the neck and he
dropped without a sound. Then she
stood over him. still pointing the pistol
at him as if determined to finish her
ghastly work if he showed any sign of
life. No second shot was necessary.
"There were about 500 people in the
passenger depot at the time of the
shootinc. Women and children screamed
and some women fainted. It was the
most sensational affair I have ever seen.
But Esther Mitchell, the cause of it all,
was the coolest person In the station..
She showed no signs of agitation and it
was not until the police were ready to
take her away that she became some
what nervous.
"So thoroughly had she planned the
shooting and so sure was she of the
details that she seemed to be agitated
by nothing whatever. It seemed the one
great object she baa in view was to kui
her brother, and having accomplished it,
she was content."
SLUMP IN FRESNO STOCK
Copper Mine in California Is Con
demned by Expert.
GLASGOW, July 12. There was a big
slump in the shares of the Fresno Copper
Company on the local stock exchange to
day, in consequence of the announcement
that Frederick Slebert, the expert appoint
ed to examine the property, had con
demned the mine. Five-dollar shares
dropped immediately to $1.12. .
NEW YORK. July 12. The Fresno Cop
per Company, Ltd.. is an English corpo
ration, owning 480 acres of copper-bearing
lands near Fresno, Cal. The company ac
quired 400 acres of these lands in 1903 from
the California corporation syndicate, tta
It Issued therefor on consolidation 195.000
shares capital stock.
Some development work was done on the
wnnt' hafnrp h,lnr taken over. and. ac- '
I,. - . - o zr
cording to recent reports, smelters were
being erected. The capital stock of the , Bank, Keene, N. H. It is on the Cheshire
company is 400,000 in 1 shares. The j Bank for S3 and Is sincd by the first presi
stock was never listed or dealt in here. J dent the bank ever had.
IT
SEATTLE PEOPLE FIGHT TO SEE
MITCHELL'S BODY.
Attendants and Police Cannot Keep
Order Except by Allowing
Feast to Gloating Eyes.
SEATTLE, Wash., July 12 (Special.)
The same crowd of morbidly curious
women that thronged the courtroom dur
ing the trial of George Mitchell besieged
the morgue when Mitchell's body was
carried there. Before the morgue at
tendants could prepare the form of Cref
field's slayer for Inspection, a mob was
fighting at the doors to gain an entrance
Neither the morgue attendants nor the
police could maintain order, and finally
the doors had to be thrown open. For
four hours, the crowd surged through
the undertaking parlors of the Bonney
Watson Company, where Mitchell's body
lies, and the public that has feasted for
weeks on the details of Holy Rollerism
crowded and fought for a chance to see
the man slain, because he killed Creffield.
Within ten minutes after the crime the
news of Mitchell's murder had swept over
the town. Telephonic inquiries came from
Green Lake, Rainier Beach and other dis
tant suburbs to the newspaper offices,
even before Mitchell's body ..td been re
moved by the Coroner.
it seemed irom the crowd at the morgue
that the public must have rushed pell
mell from their homes as soon as the
news was known, to view the murdered
man's body. From 5 until 9 P. M. the
public was permitted to stream through,
and then the doors were closed In the
faces of a crowd that filled the streets
The same sympathy that was expressed
for Mitchell during the trial was shown
as the public gazed at his body. The
women showed little charity toward
Esther Mitchell in their comments.
STORY KEPT FROM THOMPSON
Fear of Effect on Slayer of Jndge
G. M. Emory.
SEATTLE, Wash., July 12. Chester
Thompson, the slayer of Judge G.
Meade Emory, Is being kept in Igno
rance of the murder of George Mitchell.
His father and brother visited him in
his cell, but they refrained from tell
ing him of the event that has aroused
the city, with the knowledge that the
news might excite him.
Will H. Thompson, father of Chester,
and the boy's two brothers, Maurice
and Oscar, were together at the Court
house this afternoon when the news
reached them of Mitchell's death. They
were on their way to visit Chester in
his cell.
The effect of the news on them was
overwhelming. They were deeply af
fected, so much so that their agitation
was noticed by bystanders and re
marked upon. Oscar and Maurice then
went to visit their brother, but were
not then accompanied by the aged
father. Meanwhile the news ran like
wildfire through the Courthouse,
reached the Jailers and they talked of
UNION PASSENGER DEPOT. SEATTLE, SCENE OF THE MCRDEB OF
GEORGE MITCHELL,
it in low tones lest some inkling of the
truth come to the boy in an adjoining
cell.
! s:
bank note Juat 100 year, old has wan-
! ienlj back to the treasurer of the Cheshire
Husband of Woman Believes Holy
Rollers Laid Careful Plans
for Avenging Death of
Edmond Creffield.
Mrs. Burgess E. Starr, George Mitch
ell's married sister, and one of Creffield's
most fanatical followers, heard the heart
rending story of how her sister had shot
her brother. As her husband broke the
news to her at their home at East Main
and Seventh streets last evening, there
was a struggle of emotions for mastery
and then fanaticism dominated the nat
ural impulses of a sister. Her lips parted
in an odd smile.
That Mrs. Starr knew her brother was
to be assassinated in event of his acquit
tal is the belief of her husband and oth
ers familiar with the case. While in
Seattle she had several talks with Esther,
and, in view of her active interest in
Rollerism, it is not believed the idea of
avenging Creffield's timely end was
withheld from her.
That her brother killed the loathsome
Creffield because of his pernicious power
over her did not seem to add to Mrs.
Starr's interest in George Mitchell. Cref
field's influence seemed to have had the
same effect upon her as on Esther that
of poisoning all natural instincts. She is
the woman who deserted her babies In
the dead of night to answer Creffle'.d's
summons to the barren camp on the Pa
cific coast, in Lincoln County. Only yes
terday morning, when George was ex
pected In the city, she told her husband
not to bring him around the house under
any circumstances.
Terrible News to Mr. Starr.
Mr. Starr waa expecting George Mitchell
on the afternoon train that arrives in
Portland at 4:30 o'clock. He was keeping
a lookout for him, when he heard the
news of the tragedy. It was a severe
blow to him, and he feared it would un
nerve his wife completely to learn of
the dire tragedy of brother and sister.
For this reason, he saw to it that she
did not receive copies of special editions
containing accounts of the killing.
After supper he concluded she had bet
ter be told of the tragedy.
"Can you stand to hear some terrible
news?" he asked her.
"I think I can. What is it?" she re
plied.
"Prepare for the worst," he said.
"I am ready to hear anything you have
to tell," she said.
"Then, Esther killed George this after
noon."
Her lips tightened and a strange look
appeared on her face, Starr said. It was
the natural emotion of a sister at hear-
Ing of a brother's death. But it passed
in a flash. In another moment she was
smiling happily and playing with her
little girls, two red-faced, healthy little
tads of 6 and 8, in plaid calico dresses
and bare feet.
Mrs. Starr Is All Smiles.
Last night when seen by an Oregonian
representative, an hour after being told
of the tragedy, Mrs. Starr was in smiles.
Her manner was that of one who takes
a happy view of life and has no worries.
It was not improbable she experienced
satisfaction In the knowledge that Ed
mond Creffield's death had been avenged
at the cost of her brother's life.
An effort was made to talk with her
on the subject, but she said smilingly she
had nothing whatever to say to the news
papers. The fact that the press seemed
antagonistic to Creffield has frequently
aroused her resentment, her husband
stated.
Mr. Starr, who attended the Mitchell
trial at Seattle as a witness from begin
ning to end, is satisfied the plot to kill
George Mitchell was hatched some days
ago. He also believes its originator was
Maud Hurt Creffield, widow of the Holy
Roller prophet, and that It was originally
intended she should kill Mitchell. The re
sult of the trial, however, determined the
plotters as to thir course of action.
Chance for Slayer to Go Free.
Mitchell, having been acquitted of mur
der on the grounds of insanity and mental
aberration having been shown as a family
trait. Mr. Starr believes they figured
Esther would be entitled to the same plea
and consideration in the event of a trial
-for murdering her brother.
To incite Esther to this act would have
been no difficult task. It Is believed.
Throughout the trial she condemned, her
brother, and when called as a witness
for the defense declined to go into Court
at first, as did Mrs. Starr. When she did
aDDear she refrained from making any
,,,. . ruminated her mind
completely.
When she was removed from Creffield's
clutches and taken to the Boys' and
' Before I wrote to you, telling you how I
felt, I had doctored for over two years steady
and spent lots of money on medicines besides,
bnt it all failed to help me. Mv monthly pe
riods had ceased and I suffered much pain,
with fainting spells, headache, backache and
bearing-down pains, and I was so weak I
could hardly keep around. As a last resort
I decided to write you and try Lydia E. Pink
ti a ill's Vegetable Compound, and I am so
thankful that I did, for after following your
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" I sincerely trust that this letter may lead
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'larire. Address. Lvnn. Mnss.
Girls' Aid Society two years ago, the girl
persisted In Holy Holler practices, rolling
about the floors and remaining up nights
to pray. When forced to go back to bed
by the matron, she would submit, but at
the first opportunity would get out of
bed and begin her insane antics again.
Those who know the facts of the case
best say It was Creffield's selection of her
to become the mother of a second Christ
who, Creffield declared, was soon to visit
the earth, that served more than any
thing else to take away her reason. Be
cause Esther was kept away from the
Holy Roller and His followers she be
came embittered towards all her relatives
excepting Mrs. Starr, who shared her be
liefs. Threatened by Mrs. Creffield.
"George should have been on his
guard," said Starr. "He had seen enough
of Rollerism to know that there might
be danger. It hardly occurred to me
that his own sister would kill him. but
I cannot say that T was a great deal sur
prised when I heard what had happened.
"A few days before the trial was end
ed," continued Starr. "Maud Hurt Crefr
field had a talk with her father, O. V.
Hurt. In which she told him that she
would have killed Mitchell had she been
armed, when her husband was shot down.
She also said she had been carrying a
gun in anticipation of trouble, but had
left it behind the morning of the tragedy.
She added that she was not so sure she
would not kill him yet. It was not
thought, though, she really meant tc oarry
out the act.
"Do you think, from what you have seen
of them, that these Holy Rollers are in
sane?" Starr was asked.
"I can't say that I do." was the reply.
"They act 'off' on religion, but when they
get together and lay their plans they do
not talk like crazy people. I believe they
figured George's murder out carefully as
to who would stand the best chance of
getting acquitted by law for killing
George. It had been proved that there
was Insanity in the Mitchell family: In
fact, Esther was shown to have been out
of her mind. This was one of the things
that got Mitchell off. No doubt. Maud
and Esther figured this out between them
and acted accordingly.
"It is possible they had the advice of
Prank Hurt. Maud's brother, who was at
the trial. Frank was a Creffield follower
right up to the last, and has never yet re
nounced Holy Rollerism for good. Ha
would not talk much about the case while
he was In Seattle, and was not put on the
witness stand at all.
"I would not be surprised." concluded
Starr, "if they had the financial aid and
advice of Sampson Levins, who is said to
be trying to take up Creffield's work In
British Columbia. He wrote to Maud, a
few days before the trial ended, offering
her any assistance In his power. It Is said
he offered to support her if she would
loin him. but this she denied at the time.
Levins was one of Creffield's worst fa
natics, and was run out of Corvallis. He
was at Oregon City a few months ago be
fore going to British Columbia. The two
Seeley sisters. Corvallis girls and Creffield
victims, went to British Columbia about
the same time."
PLANS MORE CHURCH WORK
Brotherhood of St. Andrews Holds
Business Meeting.
The Brotherhood of St. Andrews held a
called meeting In St. Stephen's Church,
corner Clay and Thirteenth streets, last
night, to consider plans for extending the
work and influence of the Episcopal
Church. Dr. H. C. Flxott presided, and
after the usual introduction. Rev. H. D.
Chambers outlined the suburban work,
laying special stress upon the Sunday
school work. He was followed by Rev.
G. W. Chllson. who outlined the work al
ready begun at Goble and other places,
spoke of the purpose of the brotherhood
and related Instances of charity work per
formed by them in St. Louis.
Rev. H. M. Ramsay, of St. Stephen's
parish, took up the feature of home work.
"There Is no strong parish In Portland,"
he said, "no Episcopal church where any
number of men attend, and none where a
bishop could get any considerable sum of
money if he needed it. There Is enough
work to do right here in Portland. Build
up your own parish, for charity begins at
home."
Other speakers addressed the meeting,
amoner them Ching Quon. a Chinese mem
ber, who gave an earnest appeal for help
In the Chinese mission.
The brotherhood decided to take up the
work in earnest and supply the needs of
parish, suburbs and Chinese mission alike,
as a dozen men were reported in readiness
to take up any work. The Chinese mis
sion will receive special attention after
August 1.