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.

November 5, 1903: Once-Esteemed Family No Longer Has the Sympathy of the Community

 

Hurt Family
Krizia Amber, Maren McGuire, David Poland, Jacob Reehl & Alana Crow
as Mae, Maud, O.V., Roy Robinett, Frank and Sarah Hurt.

Evening Telegram (Portland) 11/5/1903 p12

Creffield Reappears

Leader of the Holy rollers is Again a Guest of the Hurt Family.

Occurrence Opens Another Chapter in the Corvallis Scandal.

Once-Esteemed Family No Longer Has the Sympathy of the Community

 

[Telegram Coast Special]

CORVALLIS, Or., Nov. 5 -- Creffield, the leader of the “Holy Roller” band has returned to Corvallis. He was given warning to leave the city before the citizens would take steps toward ridding the community of the cause of such a sensation. He left, but was gone only a few days, and now has committed himself to the wrath of the community by returning and taking his station once more among his deluded followers. He returned accompanied by Frank Hurt, one of the “rollers.”

 

The Hurt family had the sympathy of the community for being a prey to such fanaticism, but now that they followed up Creffield when he took to flight, and brought him bake and are now harboring him in their home, another chapter has been opened up in the scandal that has made Corvallis the subject of much ridicule.

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