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.
December 22, 1903: Linn County Holy Rollers
Corvallis Gazette 12/22/1903
p3
Linn County Holy Rollers
A colony of Holy Rollers has
started in to make Linn County and Albany famous having permanently located in
a house on the Anna Beach place in the hop yard, just over the river from the
ferry.
Parson Creffield, the
old-time leader, returned on Friday last and is now in command. Mr. Campbell
and West Seeley, with the two Seeley sisters and Miss Sandal are with the
party. Frank hurt and wife have also taken up their residence with the Linn
county squad.
Up to the present time very
little disturbance has been caused, the party carrying on their worship with
but little noise.
But events are likely to
occur in a few days if the Rollers become in any way aggressive, that will put
a stop to any further proceedings on their part. Mr. Creffield will be provided
with a nice, warm coat, that will fit him as closely as the paper on a wall,
and that will contain more feathers that the wings he promises himself when he
reaches the place where the holy roll is kept. He will also be given a walking
pass out of this locality, and a warning about returning that he will do well
to heed.
This is the program outlined by some desperate and determined men in this vicinity, and there is no doubt that it will be carried out.
Albany Democrat 12/25/1903 p2
Corvallis has shipped the
Holy Rollers to their annex this side of the river and seem to think that is a
good one on Linn County.
Albany Democrat 12/25/1903 p3
Holly Rollers in Linn County
Corvallis, Dec. 22 - Benton County
has turned over to the Holy Rollers to Linn County, and I really believe they
need aid. It may be advisable for Judge Palmer to locate them. They left
Corvallis and now occupy a building on the Beach opposite the city, twelve in
number. The apostle Creffield is with them. Rolling is now going on. I think
they could be induced to go to Albany with the proper inducement.
BENTON
A Corvallis man who is in the
city today says there is a barrel of tar ready for them if they continue their
doings. He says it is a regular free love establishment, a law unto themselves
and the people are tired of the disgraceful arrangement.
Chapter of Holy Rollers where these articles are some of the sources:
Chapter 7: Talk of Tar & Feathers For Creffield
December 21, 1903: Holy Roller Victim Worse
December 23, 1903: Is Crazy Now
***
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)