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.

1902: 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.

 

1899 house advertisementCorvallis Times 1/25/1902 p3

Victor Hurt has sold his residence property on Main Street to E. Walden. The house is at present unoccupied. It is to be repaired for rental purposes.

 

Corvallis Gazette Fri 2/21/1902 p3 “Central Committee Meeting.”

The Republican County Central Committee will meet at the court house, Friday, February 28, 1902 to arrange dates for holding the primaries and conventions, and to transact any other business that may regularly come before them.

O. V. Hurt, Chairman

L. W. Orin, Secretary

 

Corvallis Times 2/26/1902 p3

OV Hurt and family went to Portland Saturday.

 

1891 Primo toilet advertisementCorvallis Times 3/1/1902 p3

Victor Hurt arrived Wednesday from Portland. He went down Saturday with Mrs. Hurt and child to visit a son and daughter in Portland. Mrs. Hurt is still there.

Mr. Levy, a brother-in-law of O. V. Hurt, is expected in Corvallis in two or three weeks. His three-story business was recently destroyed by fire. The loss was $45,000 and the insurance $31,000. Mr. Levy is looking for a location in the west.

 

Corvallis Gazette 4/8/1902 p3

Bert Sharp has had the old livery stable on Main Street, opposite Phillips blacksmith shop, repaired and fitted up as a feed stable. He is now ready for business and solicits the patronage of the public.

 

Corvallis Gazette 7/11/1902 p3

Mrs. O. V. Hurt and children expect to leave during the fore part of next week for Salem where she will attend the annual union camp meeting that will continue for a week or such a matter.

 

Corvallis Times 11/8/1902 p3

Mrs. Oscar Starr and Miss Lora Ship are guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hurt.

 

Corvallis Gazette Fri 12/12/1902 p3

Mrs. B. E. Starr returned to her home in Portland yesterday after a two-week’s visit with her sister, Mrs. O. V. Hurt.

 

Corvallis Gazette Tue 12/23/1902 p3

O. V. Hurt is the owner of a two-year-old Jersey cow, which is one of the finest dairy animals in the state. A test of her milk made by Professor Kent of the O A C shows 7.8 percent of butter fat. This is the highest percentage shown by any test ever made at the college.

 

Corvallis Times 1/25/1902 p3

Frank Hurt is one of the check clerks for the big government transport that has been loading for several days at Portland, being temporarily in the service of the government by permission of the O R & N Co., with which company he is regularly employed. His pay in the transport is 40 cents per hour.

 

 

Corvallis Times 1/28/1903 p2

Highest in Eleven Years

Willamette and Mary’s River out of their Banks--Water Everywhere

 

For the past two or three days the Willamette and Mary’s rivers have been at the highest stage of water reached since the great flood of 1891. The highest point was touched at two o’clock Monday morning when the markings on gauges along the river-front indicated 27 1/2 feet above low water, or three feet higher than the late freshets of the present season  ... There was two inches of water on the floor of Victor Hurt’s house, and four inches of the floor of the warehouse at Fischer Mills.

 

Corvallis Gazette 2/7/1902 p3

Major Dubbin, of Portland, will preach in the Salvation Army hall Thursday evening, February 13th. Coffee and cake will be served for 10 cents. All are cordially invited.

 

Corvallis Times 2/8/1902 p3

Major Dubbin of Portland will preach in the Salvation Army hall on Thursday next. Coffee and cake will be served after meeting. You are cordially invited to come.

 

1898 trusses advertisementCorvallis Gazette 2/25/1902 p3

J. K. Berry at the Bicycle Hospital has been improving the interior of his place of business. He has moved his repair shop to the rear and has fitted up the front of the building very tastily for his new stock of wheels.

 

The Bicycle Hospital has just received the largest and finest stock of Rambler bicycles ever brought to Corvallis. See them.

 

Corvallis Gazette 4/8/1902 p3

Frank Hurt is home from Portland on a visit.

Fred Porter, Oliver Wicks and Frank Hurt are among the number who purchased high grade Rambler wheels from J. K. Berry last week.

 

Corvallis Gazette 4/15/1902 p3

A Salvation Army man was in the city yesterday collecting self-denial funds for the Army. S. A. men only come to Albany as visitors, the support here having been so poor as to make it a poor field for the army, the work of which is covered by the churches

 

1899 fire escape advertisementCorvallis Gazette 5/09/1902 p3

Monday evening the fire boys were called out to extinguish a small blaze in the building owned by Thos. Whitehorn, just south of the Salvation Army barracks. Tuesday afternoon the roof of the building adjoining the Whitehorn building caught fire, but the department soon had it under control.

 

Corvallis Times 5/24/1902 p3

News received in Corvallis by Warren Hartley is to the effect that his father has made a fine strike on a claim just opened up in the Bohemia mines. The vein of ore is three feet and assays give the return of $245.61 per ton. The claim is one of five located by Mr. Hartley for a number of Corvallis people, and is said to be one of the best locations in Bohemia district.

 

Corvallis Times Tue 6/17/1902 p3

The spiritualists of the vicinity have formed an organization to be known as “First Spiritual Union of Corvallis.” Barrett Lyceum is to be used by the association. Next Sunday at 2:30 p.m. will be held the fist public meeting of the Union. All friends cordially invited.

 

Corvallis Gazette 6/17/1902 p3

J. K. Berry holds the championship for wheel-selling in Corvallis for this year. He has sold 55 wheels during this season, with prospects of selling a good many more. The majority of the wheels sold by Mr. Berry have been Ramblers with a few Ideals and Mitchells. He is also agent for the world-wide known Tribune, the wheel that holds the world’s record speed. Joe The Turk

 

Corvallis Gazette 6/20/1902 p3

Joe, the Turk, is to be the attraction at the Salvation Army hall tonight. He has an international reputation, having traveled through England, France, Greece and all over the United States. He wears a full Turkish costume, and plays the coronet, clarinet and saxophone. He will exhibit some photographs of the Armenian massacres.

 

Corvallis Times 7/9/1902 p3

Captain H B Vaudalin will be in Corvallis Wednesday July 9th, and conduct the welcome meeting at the Salvation Army Hall. He is said to be a fine cornet player.

 

Corvallis Gazette 7/11/1902 p3

Saturday night, July 12th, will be the welcome meeting of Captain H. B. Vidalin of Baker City at the Salvation Army hall. Everybody is invited to attend and give the new captain a rousing welcome.

 

1899 Kodak advertisementCorvallis Times 7/12/1902 p3

Captain Vidalin will arrive on Saturday July 12th not Wednesday as first announced, and hold his welcome meeting in Salvation Army Hall.

 

Corvallis Times 7/12/1902 p3

Local Mining Men

A Company with Capital of More than a Million--Article Filed

 

At the clerks office the Great Eastern Mining Company has filed articles of incorporation. The incorporators are Horace Lilly, T H Wellsher, August W. Fischer, W W Calkins, George Lilly, A K Milner, and Lewis Hartley. The capital stock is $1,250,000, divided into 1,250,000 shares of $1 each. Nine hundred thousand shares are to be issued to the incorporation to be paid for in full by deed to said corporation of certain mines owned by the incorporators in proportion to the value agreed upon by said incorporators. The remaining 350,000 shares are to be held as treasury stock and are to be sold under the direction of the board of directors, and the proceeds thereof is to be used in the prosecution of the business of the corporation. The principal office is to be at Corvallis, OR. The duration of the corporation is to be indefinite.

 

The enterprise, business and occupation in which the incorporation is to engage, is the purchasing, owning, leasing, working, operating, buying and selling for profit, mines and mineral claims in Oregon. Also the construction, purchasing, leasing and operation of water ditches and quartz mills, and doing other necessary or convenient to the successful prosecution of the work of mining. The company owns mines in the Bohemia district.

 

Corvallis Times 7/19/1902 p3

Mrs. Lewis Hartley and family left Thursday for the Bohemia mines where they will spend the summer.

 

Corvallis Times 7/26/1902 p3

Miss Mollie Sandal, of Seattle arrived Wednesday, of Seattle, arrived Wednesday and is the guest of Corvallis friends.

 

1898 Montgomery Ward Furniture advertisement1898 Montgomery Ward sewing Machine advertisementCorvallis Times 8/2/1902 p3

Peaches in the Kiger orchard will be ready for picking tomorrow. The present crop is of the Hales Early variety, and is a light one, though the fruit is excellent in size and flavor. The peaches are to be sold in the orchard at 50¢ per bushel, buyers to pick them. The crops of early and late Crawfords will both be light, and will be sold at a dollar per bushel in the orchard. Parties reach the orchard either by ford or ferry.

 

Corvallis Times 10/4/1902 p3

A town youngster was arrested the other day for disturbing a Salvation Army meeting. He stood trial in the police court and a jury of six men listened to the testimony. Two of his young friends testified in his behalf, and in their efforts to clear him swore that they made as much racket at the meeting as did he. Then the officials arrested them and on their own evidence the court pronounced them guilty. The jury found the first one guilty also, and fines of $10 each were assessed against all.

 

Corvallis Gazette 10/17/1902 p3

Colonel Geo. French, Commander of the Pacific Coast Province of the Salvation Arm, and Major Dubbin of Portland, will be in Corvallis, Wednesday, Oct. 22 and conduct an Army meeting at the Salvation Army Hall. This is the first visit of the Colonel, so don’t fail to hear him. Look out for the poster announcement.

 

Corvallis Times 10/18/1902 p3

Wednesday Oct. 22 will be a red letter day for the Salvation Army in Corvallis as Col. George French, Pacific Coast Commander will be here accompanied by Major R. Dubbin of Portland. A meeting will be held at the Army Hall and everybody is cordially invited.

 

Corvallis Times 10/22/1902 p3

The meeting announced for Col. French at Salvation Army barracks for this Wednesday evening occurred last night.

 

1899 tooth soap advertisementCorvallis Gazette 11/4/1902 p3

J.K. Berry has just put a new Fairbanks & Morse gasoline engine of one and one-half horse power in his bicycle factory. He is soon to install a larger lather and emery wheel. It is also his intention to place a compressed air tank in his establishment. From the latter two tubes will extend, one tube for use in the shop and the other will run outside the building so that bicyclists may connect their tires, touch a button and have them inflated. The engine is used to operate the various bits of machinery soon to be in use at this establishment. He also intends to put in a large enameling oven and a dip tank for enameling bicycles.

 

 

Newberg Graphic 11/1902/1891 p3

Charley Mitchell has charge of the land Mr. Votaw of Tacoma bought of Marion George and is preparing to set a large orchard on it.

 

Corvallis Gazette 12/5/1902 p3

Functus Officio

 

The big drum of the Salvation Army is no longer in evidence about eight o’clock each evening and tambourines are very cheap in Corvallis. The army has gone to its religious “Waterloo”--it met a body of Divine Healers, Army of Holiness, or something, and went over to the enemy. True religion of a respectable character, a religion that is reasonable, that commands at least the respect of the greatest thinkers and the better class of people, is the last thing on earth that should be treated in a contemptuous manner. But a “holy show” that is a burlesque on religion is a bad thing for any community as it is not taken seriously and consequently lays the foundation for the youth of the land to scoff at religion in any form. There should be reason and moderation in all things. There may be efficacy in prayer--who can say there is not?--but it must be the prayer of a sane mind and a reasonable being. The prayer of a religious fanatic cannot avail much.

 

1899 Nodark Camera advertisementCorvallis Gazette 12/9/1902 p3

The familiar sound of the Salvation Army drum is again heard in Corvallis. Captain Samuel Dupertuis, the leader of the Northern Pacific Revival Brigade, arrived in this city Saturday and has been holding enthusiastic meetings. He will preach tonight on the subject “The Two Ways.” Tomorrow night Captain Dupertuis will give a stereopticon lecture entitled “Ten Nights in a Barroom,” with Side Lights.

From the Salvation Army

 

Corvallis Gazette Fri 12/12/1902 p3

Mrs. B. E. Starr returned to her home in Portland yesterday after a two-week visit with her sister, Mrs. O. V. Hurt.

 

Dalles Weekly Chronicle 12/10/1902 p3

The Holiness Band, which has been holding meetings at private homes, has now rented the building south of the Columbia Hotel and will conduct services on Wednesday and Friday evenings.

 

 

Sunday Oregonian (Portland) 12/14/1902 p11

To Conduct Salvation Army Meetings

 

Meetings of unusual interest will take place at the Salvation Army Hall, Third and Davis streets, today and tomorrow, December 14 and 15. Major and Mrs. Dubbin, the divisional commanders, will be in charge, and will be assisted by prominent members of the Divisional Revival Brigade; also the entire Rescue Home staff. The meetings on Sunday commence at 11 A. M. and 3 and 8 P. M., all of which will be of a revival character. The Major and others will deliver special addresses, and the revival singers will introduce new songs.

 

On Monday night the Major will conduct the hallelujah wedding of Myra Kinney and Captain Samuel Dupertuis. Ensign Kinney is the matron of the Salvation Army Rescue Home, and is well known and much loved for the noble work she has accomplished during the years she has been in charge of this important branch of the Army work in the city. Captain Samuel Dupertuis, while not so well known as the Ensign is, nevertheless, a promising young officer, and has done successful work in Portland No. 2 Post, on the East Side, Seattle and elsewhere. He is at present in charge of the Divisional Revival Brigade. Captain and Mrs. Roberts, from California, and Ensign and Mrs. Hill, from Chicago, who are taking charge of Corps Nos. 1 and 4, will also be welcomed in this meeting, and the entire forces will unite.

(Photo of “Major and Mrs. Dubbin.)

 

Morning Oregonian (Portland) 12/15/1902 p14

Army Has a Lively Day

Salvation Cohorts Hold Services to Save Souls

 

A lively day was spent at the Salvation Army Hall on Davis Street, yesterday. Major Dubbin, assisted by Ensign Kinney and Captains Stover and Dupertuis of the Revival Brigade, conducted very enthusiastic meetings. The open-air services were attractive and attended by large crowds of men of every class and description.

 

The morning service in the hall was of unusual interest. Major Dubbin spoke with power from, “I know thou livest but art dead.” In the course of his remarks he said: “God knows the heart, he is well acquainted with our ways; nothing is hid from his all-seeing eye, and the condition of man’s heart is what God looks at. He knows our works; he not only sees them, but he knows them, he knows the motive which prompts the actions. God demands whole-hearted service, he despieth that sort of neutrality which would be a Christian and yet not radically so, a sinner and yet put on religion as a cloak. God,” said he with emphasis, “will spew you out of his mouth if you try to live after this lukewarm fashion.”

 

The audience attentively listened and when the appeal for those who desired to live better lives was made, five people came forward.

 

The afternoon meeting was well attended, and on the platform was a happy lot of lads and lassies.  Captain Stover sang a solo, and Captain Dupertuis preached from “Therefore, thou art inexcusable.” “You,” said he, “who have heard the gospel preached and sung, and listened to the songs of Zion, and the stirring testimonies of those who profess to know God, and have felt its power, and been moved by its influence, you for whom prayers have been offered, and tears been shed from your infancy until now, are without excuse. God in providing salvation has done all he can and all that needs (the rest of the article was missing)

 

Corvallis Gazette Fri 12/16/1902 p3

Captain Dupertuis who has been holding meetings in the Salvation Army hall for a few nights has returned to Portland where he is due for ten days meetings. There will be no services in the hall until after the holidays when new officers will arrive.

  xxx

Corvallis Times 1/7/1903 p2

Fire! Fire Fire!”

 

The Salvation Army will open fire on Wednesday eve. Jan 7th. The meeting will be conducted by the officers who have just arrived from San Francisco, where one week of special meetings were conducted by General Booth, the leader and founder of The Salvation Army. The General spoke very elevating of the Army work in America since his last visit four years ago, the result of the campaign was nearly 300 souls converted and about 400 officers baptized with the fire of the Holy Ghost. Very special meetings will be held in Corvallis, soliciting the attendance of all. Officer in charge, Captain C.E. Brooks, Lieutenant C.E. Mannes

 

Corvallis Times 1/10/1903 p3

For sometime until recently the doors of the Salvation Army Hall were closed and the boom of the army drum was unheard. It is different now. The organization seems to have taken on a new life and there was quite and awakening and the red hot time Wednesday night. Captain C. E. Brooks and Lt. C. E. Mannes arrived the first of the week freshly imbued with the enthusiasm of General Booth whose meetings they had been attending in San Francisco. The first meeting was attended by several enthusiastic members from Philomath. Continued services will be held in Corvallis with occasional meetings in the country. The officers request it to be stated that the character of the meetings will be of the old-time fire and that all are invited to come and give a helping hand to roll the old chariot along.

 

Corvallis Times 1/10/1903 p3

Officers who recently arrived to take charge of the Salvation Army work in this locality find a debt of something like $100 standing against the organization here. With commendable energy the new officers are setting about to cancel the debt, and it will be much to their credit if they succeed.

 

Corvallis Times 1/7/1903 p2

Fire! Fire Fire!

 

The Salvation Army will open fire on Wednesday eve. Jan 7th. The meeting will be conducted by the officers who have just arrived from San Francisco, where one week of special meetings were conducted by General Booth, the leader and founder of The Salvation Army. The General spoke very elevating of the Army work in America since his last visit four years ago, the result of the campaign was nearly 300 souls converted and about 400 officers baptized with the fire of the Holy Ghost. Very special meetings will be held in Corvallis, soliciting the attendance of all. Officer in charge, Captain C.E. Brooks, Lieutenant C.E. Mannes

 

Corvallis Times 1/10/1903 p3

For sometime until recently the doors of the Salvation Army Hall were closed and the boom of the army drum was unheard. It is different now. The organization seems to have taken on a new life and there was quite and awakening and the red hot time Wednesday night. Captain C. E. Brooks and Lt. C. E. Mannes arrived the first of the week freshly imbued with the enthusiasm of General Booth whose meetings they had been attending in San Francisco. The first meeting was attended by several enthusiastic members from Philomath. Continued services will be held in Corvallis with occasional meetings in the country. The officers request it to be stated that the character of the meetings will be of the old-time fire and that all are invited to come and give a helping hand to roll the old chariot along.

 

Corvallis Times 1/10/1903 p3

Officers who recently arrived to take charge of the Salvation Army work in this locality find a debt of something like $100 standing against the organization here. With commendable energy the new officers are setting about to cancel the debt, and it will be much to their credit if they succeed.

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