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 7, 1903: Is Creffield Back?
Corvallis Times 11/7/1903 p3
Is Creffield Back?
They Tell That He Has
Returned to Corvallis--Some Roller Incidents.
Is
Creffield the prophet of the Holy Rollers again Corvallis? That is a question
with people on both sides of it. Some relate that the apostle crossed the ferry
Tuesday evening and that he is again in town. Ferryman Michael, though not
positive on the point, has the impression that the man he crossed is Creffield.
A lady who claims to know him asserts positively that she saw Creffield at a
certain place late Wednesday afternoon. James Horning, who lives near the Hurt
house, believes that the prophet is here. Mrs. Hurt is said to have told a
caller at the house who went to buy cattle yesterday morning that Creffield is
here. The general uncertainty about his presence however, and the relapse of
the members of the sect into comparative quiet has so far aroused but little
interest in the question of the apostles whereabouts. With another eruption
like that of last week, the condition might be otherwise.
A LATE INCIDENT
One of the
young women who was a participant in the late manifestations at the Hurt house,
is slowly recovering from an illness which the events of the time seem to have
occasioned. She was an eager participant in the meetings at the Hurt house. At
the time of the burning of personal effects and furniture, she packed a trunk
of her clothing and effects, and placed it on the porch at home. It was the
plan to have a drayman remove it to the Hurt house. Word was sent to the
father, and he prevented the removal. The young woman however went to the Hurt
house , and remained there. When the apostles were on trial before the county
board as to sanity, she was subpoenaed as a witness. After she had finished her
testimony at the courthouse, she was taken by relatives and friends to a
carriage that was in waiting, and driven to her home. There she has remained
ever since being most of the time confined in bed with illness. The intense
nervous and mental excitement through which she passed during the meetings is
ascribed as the cause of her trouble.
WHIPPING
THE DEVIL OUT
The late
upheaval at the Hurt house has awakened curiosity in the summer meetings in the
tents on Kiger Island. The worship there was in a wigwam built of boughs and
about twenty feet square. It was closely enclosed with a curtain for a door. the
private tents of the worshipers to the number of half dozen were scattered
promiscuously about, and laundry and other evidences of human abode were
visible among the surrounding trees. In the wigwam the lamentations rolling and
singing incident to worship were carried on. The story is told that one of the
young men was believed to be possessed of the devil, and all the company
labored in vain to pray old Nick out of him. Salvation by that method was
finally given up, and Prophet Creffield took the lad out into a private tent
tow “whip the devil” out of him as the sect styles the process. Ed Sharp who
has since backslidden raised the flap of the tent to see how the two were
making it, so the story goes, and the apostle and his patient saw the act. In
the dim light they took Ed for the devil and both took after him. Ed ran his
best, but was overtaken according to the account, and given such a beating that
he appeared in town next day with two black eyes. The story has not been
confirmed by the Times, but it is given as a sample of what goes rounds with
reference to the summer meetings on Kiger Island.
WANT NO
SYMPATHY
The members
of the sect are confirmed in the belief that they have the true and only faith
and have not patience with those who proffer advice or sympathy. A friend
undertook to convince a new convert that the worship is folly. Both had served
together among the Indians on the reservation at the Siletz agency. The friend
remained the convert of the incantations in which the Indians periodically
indulged, and of the similarity between the savage manifestations and of the
practices incidental to the new worship. He reminded the convert of the doings
of Indian medicine men when they worked with patients and that the Indian
doctors if possible did not permit white men to be present when they went
through their orgies. The refusal of Creffield and Brooks to permit friends of
the sect was instanced as identical with the ideas of the Indian medicine men. Arguments
were offered and representations made to show the convert the character of
present conditions, and finally the friend remarked that many friends
sympathized. “I don’t need their sympathy. It is they who need sympathy,” was
the stoical reply, and the interview closed.
WIDE
INTEREST ELSEWHERE
The late
eruption among the Rollers has attracted attention all over the United States. Coast
and Eastern papers are beginning to arrive with full accounts of the
destruction of furniture and clothing and the burning of cats and dogs. The
various peculiarities of belief and the manner of worship is recounted about as
it appeared in Oregon Newspapers. Most of the dispatches relative to the affair
are dated from Portland, having been sent there by the Associated Press and
special correspondents. A Corvallis man’s letter from the interior of
California inquired what kind of religion the people up in Corvallis practiced
and asked if the recipient had joined yet. He had been reading the San
Francisco papers. Another letter written from San Francisco and received here
joked a Corvallis recipient with reference to the new religion. It is doubtful
if any outbreak by religious enthusiasts at any time in the past, especially in
which so few people were involved, has attracted such wide attention and
comment.
David Poland as O.V. Hurt
Evening Telegram (Portland) 11/7/1903 p2
Excess of Holy Rollers May
Yet Lead To Serious Clash If They Continue
Sentiment Strong at Corvallis
Against the Fanatics. Deluders. Meetings Still Held Under Leadership of
Creffield, So-Called Apostle. This Man and Hurt Disregard Warnings of Possible
Violence.
[Staff
Correspondence]
CORVALLIS.,
Or., Nov 7. -- Warnings, threats and even open manifestations of violence in
the way of stoning the house wherein they are quartered, fail to frighten away
“Apostle” Creffield and Frank Hurt, leaders of the “Holy Roller” sect of
religious fanatics. Repeatedly they have been warned by officers of the law
that their safety is in jeopardy, that public sentiment is strong against them,
and that any day may bring forth an organized movement to drive them out of
town by force. Calmly and consistently Creffield and Hurt disregard all such
warnings; daily almost hourly, they lead their deluded followers in so-called
worship. At all time of the day and night, particularly in the early morning
and evening, the air about the Hurt place is rent with groans, screams,
wailings and shouts.
Public
sentiment has grown so bitter against the leaders in these disgusting
proceedings that there seems serious danger of trouble, unless Creffield can be
persuaded to leave town. People are convinced that the “Apostle” is a faker,
and the harm he has done in disuniting families has made him an object of
general hatred.
The fact
that so many women have been inveighed into the ranks is regarded with
suspicion, as the sincerity of the leaders is generally doubted. Creffield is
spoken of as a home-breaker. In more than one instance, it is said, he has
persuaded women to desert their home, and his orders are that when a wife
becomes connected with the “Rollers” her husband must follow, or the family
ties are severed, until such time as the obstinate family head accepts the
spirit. This more than anything else, perhaps, has given rise to the ill
feeling against the new sect.
TALK OF TAR
AND FEATHERS
Tar-and-feather
talk originated when it was openly circulated about the streets that one night
a young woman, prominent in society circles, had been held prisoner in a room
in a building on Second Street while in a trance. This, the young woman is
alleged to have related, was at the instance of a message from God. She did not
hesitate to speak of her experience to friends, and apparently could see no
reason for secrecy. So wrought up were the citizens at this exposure that mob
law was talked of and an attempt was made to get 20 men to band together to
apply a tar and feather coat to the “Apostle.”
While this
movement was finally put to rest, a large crowd gathered at the Hurt home, and
under the cover of darkness invited Creffield to emerge from the house. He was
called upon for speech. Creffield responded to the invitation, and stepping
upon the porch began to quote Scripture. “Let us duck him!” came the yell from
the revengeful crowd. “Take him to the river!” Creffield withdrew without harm
and it was on the following day that he quietly slipped away in a buggy.
With his
going it was supposed that the trouble would end, but his reappearance on the
scene has again aroused the community. Indignation is expressed on all sides,
and now that he has resumed his work, a revengeful spirit again prevails.
Alana Crow as Sarah Hurt
MEETING
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Last
night’s meeting commenced as usual at 7:30 and continued to a late hour. Mr.
Hurt was too busy seeking God to be seen, and Creffield, who was leading the
meeting, had no time to spare. While there was a light in the house, the
windows were heavily veiled with sheets and blankets, giving no one a possible
chance to witness the proceedings within. A rap on the door was answered by
Miss Hurt, the eldest of Hurt’s three daughters. Holding a lamp in her hand and
opening the door sparingly, she inquired what was wanted. Then she said:
“It would
not be possible for any one to speak to Mr. Hurt as he is busy seeking God. He
has not as yet spoken to any one of the world, and I could not disturb him at
present.
A BABEL OF
WEIRD SOUNDS
Out on the
porch could be plainly heard the shouts and wailings of those within the walls
of the dilapidated cottage. Some were praying, others were singing, the effect
to the uninitiated being extremely weird. Suddenly the voices of those in
prayer blended with the singers, all joining in the refrain of one of “Apostle”
Knapp’s songs.
“Possibly
you may be able to interview Mr. Creffield tomorrow,” Miss Hurt Added, for an
excuse to close the interview, but he has no statement to make to the press. We
do not care what the newspapers have to say; in fact we expected them to
misrepresent us. We have not taken the trouble to read their accounts of us and
our sect.
CREFFIELD A
SMOOTH HYPOCRITE
Creffield,
the self-styled apostle, is looked upon as a hypocrite of the first water,
possessed of sufficient hypnotic power to bring his followers under his
influence. It is said that he holds them as by a spell, and that his biddings
are law. It is after receiving alleged messages from God that he speaks to his
flock.
Brooks, the
ex-captain of the Salvation Army, is branded as a faker of the worst kind. Campbell
and Levins are disciples assisting
in keeping the organization together.
Creffield
steers clear of the main thoroughfares, and refuses positively to be
interviewed by any one outside his followers, excepting those whom he cannot
possibly evade.
THE CASE OF
FRANK HURT
Frank Hurt,
son of O. V. Hurt, whose residence has been turned into a prayer house, is the
man with whom Creffield returned to Corvallis after his hurried departure. Young
Hurt is about 30 years of age, and was married some three months ago. He
appears honest in his convictions and seems rather anxious that the world
should know and understand the motives of the Church of God, or the holiness
people, as he is pleased to term the sect. He occupies a small cottage in
partnership with a relative and his family, and has given space in his yard to
a tent occupied by Campbell and Levins , his two close followers.
Frank Hurt
is affable, and has a clear understanding of the Bible. He is well posted on
Scripture, having for four years taken an active part in the Salvation Army. Prior
to his enlistment in that body he was a devout member of the Methodist Church.
“I left the
Salvation Army because I found it had compromised with the world,” explained
the young man when asked for a statement in explanation for his taking up the
new work.
Maren McGuire, Brighid Thomas and Rachael Perrell
as Maud Hurt, Esther Mitchell and Donna Starr
CREFFIELD A
REAL APOSTLE
“Joshua
Creffield, our leader, is an apostle, the same as those mentioned in the Bible.
He came here about a year ago, and, being a preacher, joined the local body of
the Salvation Army. My acquaintance brought him in contact with our people, and
eventually we decided upon organizing what is known to the world as the Holy
Rollers. That, however, is not the right name. We have not decided upon a name,
but I should think the Church of God or the Church of Christ would be explanatory
of our purpose. To follow the Bible in its entirety is our object; to do as the
book bids is our one purpose.
“No, we
have no regular preachers. The leaders speak as the spirit leads them. The
members do not fall into a trance. There is no truth in that. The Lord speaks
to us as his children and reveals his will through the spirit that is in us.
NO LAW BUT
THE BIBLE
“We have no
laws except the Bible. There is nothing in our organization commanding us to
burn our property.”
When
reminded of the fact that a number of the members had destroyed various pieces
of furniture, etc., Mr. Hurt looked somewhat startled, but went on to explain: “It
has been said that we burnt the furniture at my father’s house. We did, but
only old pieces in order to secure more room for the meetings. Some trinkets
and goods of no particular value were destroyed because we do not believe that
those saved and having their names inscribed in heaven should enjoy luxuries. We
killed a dog and a cat, I admit, but did so because we wanted to get rid of
them. We had for a long time endeavored to give the pets away, but failed. The
ground was hard and dry and it was difficult to bury the remains, so we threw
them on a bonfire. It was purely for sanitary reasons. The burning of the
animals had no connection with our religion. You find nothing like that in the
Bible. As to marriages, we observe the same rules as other denominations.
TO SEND OUT
MISSIONARIES
“Our object
in holding meetings daily is to train for missionary work. When the proper time
comes we will go out and teach our doctrine. We will have no particular field
to work in, but will go wherever the spirit directs, and will remain as long as
the spirit desires. There will be absolutely no restrictions. Our purpose is to
teach our religion to the world. Of course, should the Church of God find
favor, as I believe it will, then we will establish houses of worship and
appoint leaders. We are all preparing to go in the field, and for that reason
are not seeking new members for the present. Our expenses we will be able to
meet by doing occasional work, as we are doing at present. We will ask the
public for no contributions. I have been cutting wood this summer and have a
little money put away. Our expenses are kept down to the minimum. We don’t
smoke or drink, for those habits are considered filthiness of the flesh and in
violation of the rules of the Bible.
“We
accepted new membership up to a few days ago, and were willing to help any one
wishing to join, but it was necessary that they have the spirit of God.
“We can
feel the very will of God,” Mr. Hurt exclaimed with enthusiasm, “by praying
either in silence or aloud. We learn his will. At times we pray alone; at times
in a body, just as we feel about it. We dress as other people do, only we do
not wear clothes of the kind that will soil by praying.
ADMITS THE
ROLLING CHARGE
Here the
young speaker admitted that the “Rollers” did roll about at their meetings, but
amended his statement by adding that they always knelt in prayer and sometimes
lay with their faces to the floor in accordance with teachings of the Bible,
which say that one should fall on one’s face to call for different things.
“Our
religion is to help one another: if a brother is in need, then we will assist
him, if possible.”
STUDY THE
BIBLE CONSTANTLY
Lee
Campbell declines to give out any information regarding himself. He appears
deeply imbued with religion, and was decidedly opposed to having his photograph
appear in print. He as well as his partner, Levins, are studying the Bible
during their work as missionaries.
Levins maintains that for several years he took
a deep interest in the Methodist Church, but failed to find his heart’s desire.
He said it did not astonish him in the least that the leaders were arrested and
examined for insanity, for Christ himself was persecuted. He referred to the
stoning of John, of whom he said he had read with much interest.
TALK OF A
FANATIC
“I tell
you,” he said with an air of assurance, “when a person is right with God and
his name is written in heaven, that’s all that is necessary. When a person gets
the real Holy Ghost, then he will love all sects and creeds.
“Some
people think ours is a strange doctrine, but John Wesley was attacked by mobs
when he founded the Methodist Church. He displayed his power, however, by
melting the crowds with his words of wisdom. Of course, the church is not now
as he left it.”
LEVINS LIKENS CREFFIELD TO THE APOSTLE PAUL
“Creffield
could not have been arrested,” he remarked, “had he not voluntarily gone with
the officers, for Paul appealed to Caesar, and Creffield could have appealed to
the Governor of the state.”
Corvallis Times 11/7/1903 p4
Like Our Rollers
Creffield Sect Blossomed Fpr a Time Many Years Ago
Were Known then as Holy
Rollers--They Rolled About on the Floor and Thereby Took Their Names--Other
News
Portland
Nov.. 3--The Oregonian says: “There is nothing new under the sun; not even the
“Holy Rollers.” A small band of fanatics known as the “Holy Rollers had a brief
career in 1837 in the town of Hardwick Vt. The leader whose name was Bridgeman
having had his mind discomposed by frequent attendance upon prayer meetings in
the neighborhood professed to be inspired from on high and was not long in
enlisting several followers. The exercises at the meetings of these fanatics
consisted of the most ludicrous and foolish performances, such as frightful
barking in imitation of dogs and foxes, mimicry of cuckoos and other birds,
jumping swinging the arms and rolling on the floor and from the last
circumstances they were called Holy Rollers. Their leader declared that they
must not shave, and they suffered their beards to grow for several months, when
it was revealed to another of their number that they must all shave, and it was
done.
These
fanatics were [illegible] and encouraged by large numbers of
the inhabitants of Hardwick and the neighboring towns. The pastor of the
Congregationalist church, Rev. Chester, preached a vigorous sermon against
these absurdities which was published and widely circulated in 1838. Some of
their number were imprisoned for disturbance of religious worship.
These facts are set forth in much fuller detail in Thompson’s History of Vermont published in 1841. The author was a clergyman of the Episcopal Church and professor of natural history in the University of Vermont and his narrative may be accepted as a proof that in the modern Holy Rollers history has only repeated itself. When the Holy Rollers appeared in Hardwick it was a town of 2400 inhabitants and had been organized over forty years, had good schools and three churches, and is distant only twenty one miles from the capital of the state, but no civilization, no environments will ever be proof against sudden outbreaks of fanaticism on the part of ignorant, weak minded people who, if not deranged, have unarranged brains.
Chapters of Holy Rollers where these articles are some of the sources:
Chapter 2: Creffield's Preachings
Chapter 4: The Holy Rollers Roll on Kiger Island
Chapter 5: A Sacrificial Bonfire
***
Reverend
Knapp's Bible Songs of Salvation & Victory
(songs sung by
the Holy Rollers)
November 6, 1903: Rollers
Take On New Life
November 11, 1903: “Apostle” Creffield Still
Under Cover
***
Newspaper Articles about Creffield & the Holy Rollers
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
***
Chapters from
Holy Rollers: Murder & Madness in Oregon's Love Cult
Part 1: The Seduction
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)
Part Two: The People V. Creffield
Chapter 16: The Widow Creffield
Chapter 19: An Inherited Streak of Insanity
Part Three: The Madness
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)