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.

1900: Local Lore, News Of Corvallis and Vicinity Told in Brief B. C. (Before Creffield)

Most of these earliest articles are from the Corvallis Gazette and Corvallis Times, the latter of which had a regular feature titled, Local Lore, News Of Corvallis and Vicinity Told in Brief, The comings and Goings of People, Social Gossip, Personal Mention and Other Items of Public Interest. While not as juicy as the later stuff (the sex scandals, the mass insanity, the murders, etc.) they do give one a glimpse into what life in Oregon was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

 

1905 pnematic bust advertisementCorvallis Gazette 1/5/1900 p3

Unearthed exposed! Made public! Terrible tragedy! Full details! Names given! A blood stained bag! Ghastly contents to be exposed Saturday night 8 o’clock at the Salvation Army hall, January 6th. Full particulars of greatest crime ever made public. All are welcome.

 

Corvallis Gazette 1/19/1900 p3

O. V. Hurt left Wednesday for a visit with his parents and other relatives at Oakland City, Indiana. He left this city of his boyhood 22 years ago and this will be his second visit home in ten years. Mr. Hurt will visit Salt Lake City, Denver, St. Louis, and other prominent cities and will be absent about three weeks.

 

Corvallis Gazette 2/9/1900 p3

O. V. Hurt arrived home Wednesday from his visit East. All along the line people appeared prosperous and happy. A mild winter is being experienced everywhere, not a drop of rain being seen by Mr. Hurt after leaving Oregon and no severe cold weather. Mr. Hurt arrived in Portland in time to take part in the proceedings of the Republican League to which he was a delegate from this city. He was elected delegate to the national league which meets in Washington, D.C.

 

Corvallis Gazette 3/23/1900 p2

Meeting of the Salvation Army

 

The Salvation Army are now about to enter upon their annual Self Denial week. This year a special meeting will be held each night, and will open Saturday March 24 by the presence of Brigadier and Mr. Marshall of Portland. They have charge of the Northern Pacific division of this work and those who attend their services are promised a blessed time. The Brigadier and his wife who is a beautiful singer will be with us both Saturday and Sunday, March 24, 25. Then following their visit will come the work of special meetings. The churches are expected to take a prominent part in these meetings and a harvest of souls is expected. An offering will be taken for the benefit of starving India, and the spiritual social operations of the Army in America. Everybody should attend these meetings.

 

Corvallis Gazette 4/13/1900 p3

O.V. Hurt was chosen congressional committeeman for Benton County at the republican convention at McMinnville, Tuesday.

 

1899 corset advertisementCorvallis Gazette 5/18/1900 p3

Special Meeting

 

When we realize the great need of the out-pouring of God’s Spirit upon His Saints and see the awful conditions which surround us in souls perishing before our eyes, we wonder what can be done to cause an advancement upon the enemy, and snatch a few brands from the burning. Now we of the Salvation Army ask the cooperation of the Christian people in a Red Crusade Campaign for souls.  The ministers are going to help us in this effort, and we are expecting a different preacher almost every night. The hall will be decorated and we are earnestly praying God’s blessing upon these meetings. They will commence Saturday evening, May 19th and end with the first Sunday in June.

“Now it two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them.” Let us all unite our faith for victory.

CAPT. JASPER

 

Corvallis Times 6/23/1900 p3

An interesting children’s demonstration will be held at the Salvation Army hall tomorrow at 3 and 8 p.m. A good program has been prepared. The public is invited to attend.

 

1899 wine advertisementCorvallis Gazette 6/26/1900 p3

Little Misses May Hurt, Grace Starr and Phoebe Lamberson, went to Portland yesterday for a week’s visit with Mrs. E. Starr, grandmother of Miss Hurt and Miss Starr.

 

Corvallis Gazette 7/10/1900 p3

Mrs. E. Starr and Mrs. Oscar Starr, mother and sister in-law of Mrs. O. V. Hurt arrived from Portland Saturday for a couple of weeks visit.

 

Corvallis Times 9/8/1900 p3

Minor Swick and family are shortly to reside in Corvallis. The farm has been leased to O. V. Hurt, who will be an honest farmer while still retaining his position at Miller’s.

 

Corvallis Times 9/12/1900 p3

Teams have been for several days hauling away the refuse dirt from the Jefferson street sewer. It is being dumped in a deep open ditch along the O V Hurt property. At the bottom of the ditch new tilling has been laid. The teams are paid three dollars per day. About all the dirt there is to spare has been moved. The rest will be needed for refilling the sewer.

 

Corvallis Gazette 9/14/1900

Harvest Festival

 

The Salvationists are now busy preparing for their annual harvest festival. Everyone should be interested in the effort to alleviate the bondage of souls and the suffering of bodies. God has wonderfully blessed the people of our country. Many are complaining, but compare condition with the nations stricken by famine and pestilence and truly we should send a shout of thanksgiving to the Lord of the harvest. The army harvests give us a chance of returning unto God for his goodness the first fruits of our increase to the support of God’s work through the Army in our own land.

 

Will every reader kindly assist with a gift of some kind: money or salable produce will be thankfully received.

 

During these special days for the Army (from Sept 21 to 23) the hall will be decorated with grain, vegetables, etc. Special meetings will be held illustrative of harvest.  Program will be published next week.

 

1899 stogies advertisementCorvallis Gazette 9/14/1900 p3

J.K. Berry is in the fish “biz.”

If you intend to salt down any fish for winter, talk to J. K. Berry. He will make prices that will surprise you.

 

Corvallis Gazette 9/21/1900 p3

Berry gets fresh fish every day.

 

Corvallis Gazette Fri 10/21/1900 p3

J. K. Berry, the hunting fish dealer of Corvallis, has opened a first class market in connection with Merrill Bros repair shop in the YMCA building.

 

Dalles Daily Chronicle 11/1/1900 p4

Creffield in the Salvation Army in the Dalles under Capt. W. R. Crabtree

 

Corvallis Times 11/3/1900 p3

Ensign L A Cox, section officer of the Salvation Army from Salem, will hold a tableau service, showing the ‘Burning of Sodom,’ and ‘Lots wife turned into a pillar of salt,’ on Nov 6 at the Salvation Army hall, 8 pm. All are cordially invited.

 

Corvallis Gazette 11/23/1900 p3

Victor Hurt lost a valuable cow a few days ago. The animal foundered herself on clover, and all of Victor’s skill as a physician proved unavailing.

 

Corvallis Gazette 12/07/1900 p3

E. H. Baldwin, deputy fish commissioner, is now domiciled with his family in the Greffoz dwelling.

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