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.
January 6, 1904: Holy Rollers
Corvallis Times 1/6/1904 p1
Tarred and Feathered
The Holy Roller Apostles Roughly Handled--Married in
his new Coat
Tar and
feathers were administered to Apostles Creffield and Brooks of the Holy Roller
sect by a crowd of twenty men Monday night. The affair took place under the light of a winter
moon near the first bridge north of the Corvallis saw mill at about 10 o’clock in the evening. The White Caps who were all Corvallis
citizens crossed the ferry and went over to the Beach house 200 yards to the
eastward. They stole noiselessly up to the house which they surrounded. Then they broke in the front door, took the apostles and
recrossing the ferry, went to the bridge in question, where the clothing was
removed from both men, and the tar and feathers applied. With the ceremony
complete, their clothing was again put on the apostles, and they were told to
leave the vicinity, and not to return or worse treatment might be applied. As
soon as released, both men started north along the Albany road, running at full
speed. While the affair was in progress, Brooks was stoical, never uttering a
word. Just before the tar and feathers were applied, however, Creffield, who
had trembled all along as though much frightened said, “Let us pray.” “We have
heard too much of your prayers already,” was the gruff response of one of the
party, and Creffield had nothing more to say.
NO MASKS WERE WORN
There was no attempt at
secrecy by those who took part in the affair. None wore masks, and none
affected a disguise. The identity of many of the party is known, and these are
men of standing and character. They say there was not a boy or hoodlum in the
party. In the main, they were persons who have felt the results of the strange
spell that the apostles have seemed to exert on the members of families, often
in a way to bring sorrow and trouble. It is believed that their purpose was not
for motives or revenge, but an effort to get Brooks and Creffield out of the
community, hoping thereby to secure a rest from the religious agitation which has dethroned the mind of one young woman of
its reason, at least temporarily.
The party left Main street
about nine o’clock, according to the best obtainable account. Before that they
had stood in groups in various places. They did not leave the street together,
but passed along in small groups. They met at the ferry, and all crossed
together.
BROKE IN THE DOOR
From the ferry they went
direct to the Beach house, 200 yards or more beyond the other side of the
river. There a dozen members of the sect have held
rendezvous for the past month. Passing in the gate, the members of the party at
once surrounded the house, so as to bar all avenues of escape. Then several
stalwart men advanced to the font door, and after a
loud knock, burst in.
Nearly a dozen members of the
sect were in the room, Brooks and Creffield among them. Among the others were
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hurt, Mrs. Frank Hurt’s sister, the Misses Seeley, and
others whose names could not be learned. Some of them were seated on chairs and
others on the floor. A number, if not all were barefooted. At the sudden
appearance of the intruders the member of the sect were more or less startled. Brooks
and Creffield were at once ordered to put on their shoes. It was however
apparent that they were not astonished having lived no doubt in the expectation
that something of the kind was likely to occur at any time. The female potion
of the assembly began to singe, and so continued during the rest of the
ceremony.
TIED APOSTLES TOGETHER
The rest of the proceeding at
the house is quickly told. Brooks and Creffield were ordered to put on their
shoes and hats. They obeyed with alacrity for the command to do so was not in
gentle tones. Then both men were tied together and ordered to pass out the
door. This command they likewise obeyed, and the whole party followed. While in
the room one of the female members of the sect passed from one to the others of
the intruders and gazed into each face intently, apparently for the purpose of
further identification. After leaving the house the party marched directly to
the ferry and crossed to the Corvallis side. The captors, while on the boat,
stood close about the apostles to prevent any possible attempt at escape. One
of the former lighted a cigar, and then held the lighted match up before the
face of Brooks to make sure apparently that there was no mistake.
After leaving the ferry, the
White Caps did not even take the precaution to travel by a back street. Passing
under the electric lights en route, they came directly from the ferry to Main Street
and then went north on Main past the saw mill and on
north to the first bridge. Halting there, they ordered the apostles to remove
their clothing.
APPLIED THE TAR
Like all other commands
given, the men proceeded at once to do as told. Creffield hesitated long enough
to propose a prayer, but the gruff response was that he had no time for that
sort of thing and that there had been too much of his prayers already, and he
began at once to remove his clothing.
The scene at the moment was
unquestionably dramatic. The moon shone clear and bright in the eastern sky. The two apostles, nude and shivering in the center of the group. Silence was only broken by the movements of the men and by an occasional
remark. One man surveying Creffield after his head and body had been well
smeared with tat and feathers remarked, ”Well you would make a fine old Santa
Claus now.” The apostle made no reply. All the time he trembled like an aspen,
and was undoubtedly much frightened. It was otherwise with Brooks who was
stoical throughout, and apparently undisturbed by the proceedings.
After the tar and feathers
had been applied, the apostles were required to put their clothes on again, and
then they were told to leave, and never to return to the community. Both
started off at full speed, running northward along the Albany road. Later, however during the night, Creffield returned to the Beach
house.
CREFFIELD MARRIED
It is supposed that Frank
Hurt intercepted the fugitives in their flight toward Albany. It is known that
he followed the White Caps across the river after the apostles were taken
prisoners, and is supposed also that he was an unseen witness of the tar and
feather act. At any rate, Creffield was back at the Beach house by midnight,
and about that time Frank Hurt applied at a local drug store for linseed oil
for use in removing tar.
A sequel to the incident was
the marriage yesterday of Creffield and Miss Maud Hurt. Early in the morning a
Corvallis livery carriage drove up to the door of the Beach house and stopped. Later
it drove away in the direction of Albany with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hurt, Miss
Maud Hurt with F. E. Creffield as occupants. A dispatch from Albany to the
Times about noon related that the party had reached Albany and had driven to
the court house where a marriage license was obtained, that with Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Hurt as witnesses, Maud Hurt and Creffield had been married at the court
house, Judge Palmer officiating. The dispatch added that the odor of tar was
noticeable in the room when the ceremony was performed.
Corvallis Gazette 1/8/1904 p3
Rollers are Rolled
Four of them Receive Coat of Tar and Feathers
Creffield Weds Miss Hurt
Incident Brings to an End a Disagreeable Reign of
Rollerism--Frank Hurt Warned
The last act in the famous
Corvallis Holy Roller drama came to a close in a genuine Southern whirlwind
style on last Monday night when the four leaders of this fanaticism that has
made out quiet little city a reputation that will long be remembered, were
taken from their meeting place by twenty determined men and treated to an
old-fashioned coat of tar and feathers. The four gentlemen so elaborately
decorated were “Apostles” Creffield and Brooks and “Parsons” Campbell and Levins.
Earlier reports and press dispatches say that only Creffield and Brooks were
tarred and feathered, but we are reliably informed that Campbell and Levins
were also found in the house and were treated in the same manner as the “apostles.”
STORY OF THE AFFAIR
It has been known for some
time that all that was lacking in carrying out the Monday night episode was a leader. Plenty of assistance could have been procured weeks ago
had any one been willing to shoulder the responsibility of leadership. Who the
leader was on Monday night we do not know, but sufficient to say he did his
work well. Getting twenty men whom he could depend upon, they marched across
the river and made their way to the Beach house, where the Rollers have been
holding forth for about two weeks. Upon arriving at the house they were
compelled to break open the door and entered the room where the services were
going on. Stating their mission in a manner that none dare refuse to obey, the
four above expounders of religion were tied together and marched down to the
ferry where they recrossed the river and scoffing any idea of secrecy and
without masks they marched their victims through the quiet streets down past
the sawmill. When made aware of what was going to happen Creffield broke down
and cried like a baby, begging in an appealing manner to be spared the
humiliation of being made one of the feathered tribe. Leniency and sympathy
were both missing in the heart of the tar-and-feather artists and Creffield was
compelled to abandon his wail of woe by the persuasion of a switching, administered
in no gentle manner.
Standing under the mocking
glare and freezing glances of a winter moon, the four victims were compelled to
strip themselves and with chattering teeth, shaking knees and stubborn silence,
they were presented with a nice layer of tar and then bedecked with feathers
galore. The mob was somewhat partial toward Creffield and wanted to make sure
that he would get all that was coming to him, so gave him two coats and the
beautiful amount of feather donated him would make the biggest bird known turn
blue with envy.
After the allotted mission
was completed the mob commanded the victims to put on their clothes, and we
warrant the never dressed with more alacrity before in their lives. After
dressing they were told to get, and never again be found in Benton County under
penalty of being hanged to the nearest tree. It is needless to say that they
got, and whether the feathers aided them in their flight we cannot say, but the
first 100 yards was made by Creffield in 10 flat and if we had him on our track
team in the spring, honors would all fall to us as his speed is something
marvelous.
CUPID CARED NOT FOR TAR
The remainder of the night
was spent in an attempt to remove the tar and feathers after they returned to
their rendezvous. One of our local druggists was called upon after midnight for
a quantity of turpentine to remove the glue like substance. Early in the
morning, Frank Hurt came to town and procured a carriage and returned across
the river. Accompanied by his wife, sister, and Creffield he drove to Albany,
where a license was secured and Miss Maud Hurt and Creffield were married,
Frank Hurt and wife acting as witnesses. After the ceremony they drove to
Tangent where, we understand, Creffield and his bride boarded the train.
The marriage of Creffield and
Miss Hurt was a sensation in itself. O. V. Hurt, the father of the girl, was
not made acquainted wit the facts of his daughter’s marriage until it was too
late to interfere. He denounces Creffield in scathing terms and the “apostle”
has not only the wrath of the community to contend with it he returns, but also
that of Mr. Hurt.
FRANK HURT IS WARNED
Upon his return from Albany
related above, Frank Hurt returned to town with the carriage and was met on the
street by a committee of citizens, who gave him warning that unless he
abandoned his late practice, that he would be treated as were the four
above-named victims. Sentiment is very strong against him in Corvallis for he
is the cause of Creffield returning after the latter had been compelled to
leave town. Had it not been for Frank Hurt, Corvallis would have been spared
this last unfortunate affair.
MOB MAKES SECOND CALL
On Tuesday night the mob
again called at the Beach house to make sure that none of the feathered tribe
had returned. Upon going to the house they found no men there, but the women
were still in the building. As stated in another column some of our ambitious
pencil pushers were mistaken for the Roller leaders, but fortunately were able
to identify themselves.
HOLY ROLLER INCIDENT CLOSED
We sincerely hope that the
happening of the last few days will forever close the Holy Roller fame in
Corvallis. It has made our county the talk of the state and the finger of
ridicule has been pointed steadily toward us for several months. On account of
the actions of a few the entire community has been laughed at and made fun of. While
we do not approve of Monday night’s affray, yet we feel that the end could only
have been brought about by some violent measure and no easier method could have
been adopted than the one resorted to. All the partied tarred and feathered
were given warning after warning to leave the community. They ignored the
danger signals and had no one to blame but themselves.
Corvallis citizens sincerely regretted to be compelled to resort to the means
adopted in ridding the vicinity of such a nuisance, but it was only by force
that they accomplished such an end.
Maren McGuire as Maud Hurt
Albany Democrat 1/8/1904 p7
Holy Rollers
Creffield and Maud Hurt Married
F. E. Creffield and Maud Hurt
were united in marriage at the court house at 11:20 o’clock
this forenoon by Judge H. M. Palmer. Frank c. Hurt and his wife, Mollie, were
the witnesses. These are the
members of the famous band of Holy Rollers of Corvallis about which there has been so much talk, of whom Creffield is
chief. This is one chapter.
Last night the most
sensational chapter in the muddy story was enacted. About 10 o’clock an band of
about twenty prominent Corvallis men crossed the river on the ferry boat, took
Creffield and his fellow apostle Brooks, conveyed them to a place near the saw
mill near Corvallis where they stripped them and applied a liberal dose of tar
and feathers and then permitted them to return home, which they did and spent
the remainder of the night in cleansing themselves, but not so well but what
the tar could be smelled on Creffield this forenoon when married. Crooks
skipped out, but Creffield seems to have appreciated one of the things the
people objected to, the free love part of the establishment, which has been
disgracing the outfit as well as the entire community and early this morning
left for Albany resolved in getting that much out of the way.
The Democrat has received a
private letter from a Corvallis friend who was probably one of the crowd who manipulated the tar, who confirms the above. When
covered with tar and feathers they were told that if they ever came back again
they would wake up some morning dangling to a telegraph pole. Creffield wanted
to pray, but they told him he had done enough of that. Then he said: “Lord
forgive them they know not what they do.” Two are reported insane from the
doings, one already in the asylum besides all the things destroyed. During the
tarring the women followed praying and singing.
This afternoon the couple and
Mr. and Mrs. Hurt got in their back and left for the Beach farm where they will
do well to behave themselves as it is said to be more tar and feathers left.
Morning Oregonian (Portland) 1/6/1904 p4
Put Tar on Rollers
Corvallis Citizens Rough Treatment of the “Apostles.”
Sacres On Into Marriage
Creffield, After Removing as Many Feathers as
Possible, Accompanies Miss Hurt to Albany, Where a Justice Makes Them One.
(The usual story about the
Tar and feathering, plus. . .)
For some time before the
party went to the Beach house, which has become the headquarters of the sect
since Mr. Hurt sent them away from his house, they were congregated in little
groups about Main Street. In the same way they went to the ferry and crossed,
serving notice to the ferryman that they would be back in a few minutes, and
adding laconically that there would be others in the party upon the return. At
the house they cut off all avenues of escape and then broke in the door. Present
in the room were Brooks and Creffield, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hurt, Mrs. Hurt’s
sister, Miss Maud Hurt, the Seeley sisters, Miss Bray and others. All were
seated about the room, some on chairs, and others on
the floor. Some, if not all were barefooted.
After the door was burst in
the Rollers made no resistance. It is now known that they had long expected
that such an occurrence might happen at any time, and they were apparently not
surprised. One of the members at the house when interviewed this morning said: “They
killed Christ, killed the apostles and stoned the disciples to death, and we
expect them to do anything with us.” She added:
“It is either Heaven or hell,
and I am for Heaven.”
. . .
The moon
shone bright and clear in the eastern sky as the tar and feathers were administered.
The silence was unbroken save by the movements of the men or an occasional
gruff order or jocular remark. Surveying Creffield earnestly after the feathers
had been added to the coat of tar on his body and head on man remarked: “Well,
you would make a handsome Santa Clause, now.”
. . .
At the Beach house this
morning one of the four or five young women there admitted to the reporter that
Creffield had come home covered with tar and feathers, and that he had
encountered much difficulty in removing them after arrival home.
Brownsville Times 0/8/1904 p1
(at the tail end of the usual article about the tar, feathering and marriage)
HAVE DISAPPEARED
F. E. Creffield and wife, the
Holy Rollers, who returned to the Beach farm opposite Corvallis last evening,
disappeared this morning and their whereabouts is being sought--Albany Herald
A rumor has been circulated
that Creffield and his wife were in Brownsville, but a diligent search and
inquiry has failed to locate them.
Corvallis Gazette 1/8/1904 p1
Two “Holy Roller” apostles
were given a coat of tar and feathers by citizens of Corvallis.”
Corvallis Gazette 1/12/1904
Two “Holy Rollers” came to
grief at Corvallis Monday night. They are Creffield and Brooks, the leaders who
were tarred and feathered and run out of town. In addition to their rantings
these fanatics are also free lovers and the double dose of damnable doctrine
don’t go down over in the Agricultural town. -- Eugene Register.
Corvallis Gazette 1/8/19048 p3
A Mystery of the Night
Where the Midnight Prowlers Rollers High or Rollers
Holy?
Since the days when the Holy
Rollers first brought themselves to public notice, no more mysterious event has
taken place than the midnight raid of the “heroes three” who braved the stormy
passage of the Willamette on their perilous journey to the home of the Rollers
in the Linn county hop yard. Whether they went as friends or foes we know
not--alas, we never will know.
When the ferry crossed the
river early on Tuesday evening hidden in the densest shadow of the smoke stack,
lurked three desperate looking characters. Who there were no on could tell. When
the ferry boat steamed up to the Linn county shore
they melted away in the darkness. Through the startled midnight air soon came a
low whistle.
“Hist! Who’s there? Stand and
unfold yourself!”
“Frank”
“Bob”
“Willie”
And the three voices merged
into one and the three conspirators came together and made their way up the
bank to the orchard. Here a surprise awaited them. Out of the gloom of the
orchard rose the gang of lynchers who had so bravely done their duty the night
before.
“Here they are” said the
lynchers. “The little fellow is Creffield.”
“And the big mustached man is
Levins,” said another.
“And the other is Brooks”
said a third. “We’ve got the whole gang, lets string them up at once.
Then they jumped on their
necks--and the moon went down behind a cloud. Did the three heroes howl? Did
they weep? Did they cry for mercy” There lies the mystery. When we try to
interview them they hang up. Frank don’t know, Bob won’t
tell and Willie says he’s saving his news for a scoop. And
the lynchers? When you ask them they look at each other and smile. And
everybody smiles but Frank, and Bob, and Willie. They don’t have to.
Evening Telegram (Portland) 1/6/1904 p3
Married at Corvallis
CORVALLIS, Or., Jan 6. -- Miss Clara King, of Salem, and J. K. Berry, of
this city, were married Monday night at the home of the groom’s sister, Mrs.
George Carl, of Corvallis. Rev. Moore officiating. Mr. Berry is a young business man of Corvallis, having been engaged in the
bicycle business. The young couple will make Corvallis their permanent home.
Miss King is the daughter of
Mrs. J. Scott, of Salem.
Corvallis Times 1/9/1904 p3
The marriage of James K.
Berry and Miss Clara M. King of Salem, occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Carl, Monday evening, Rev Frank L. Moore officiating. Only relatives were
present. Both are young people of high character and standing. They are
temporarily at home at Mrs. Espey's.
Evening Telegram (Portland) 1/6/1904 p3
Creffield Disappears
Thorough Search of Beach Premises Fails to Locate
Hated Apostle.
Believed to Have Escaped in Attire of Woman--Mob
Holds Vigil.
[Telegram Coast Special]
CORVALLIS, Or., Jan. 6.--Creffield has evidently changed his mind about
making his home in the neighborhood of Corvallis. Yesterday at Albany, after
his marriage to Miss Hurt, the “apostle” stated to a reporter that criminal
methods would not drive him away from God’s work, and that he intended to
return to Corvallis to live. This news reached here yesterday about noon, and
from then till midnight the Beach cottage and its inmates and visitors were
under constant surveillance. About 3 o’clock in the afternoon a carriage drove
up to the house, and Creffield and his wife got out. Later in the day Mrs.
Creffield was seen on a back street here in conversation with her father, O. V.
Hurt.
About 4 o’clock, Frank Hurt
drove from town in a rig and stopped at the Beach cottage, and two women came
out and got in with him, and all drove off in the direction of Albany. The
belief now is that one of these supposed women was Creffield in woman’s attire,
as since entering the house about 3 p.m. none of the watchers have had a
glimpse of him.
Last night at 8 o’clock a
party of 12 men crossed the river in small boats and surrounded the Beach
cottage, while several of their number entered and searched it from top to
bottom for the apostle. They found six women only, three of whom were the
Seeley sisters. The others were Mrs. Frank Hurt and two young girls who would
not give their names. The party then quietly left the house and stationed themselves near by and waited and watched until midnight. All
travelers were held up till their identity was discovered.
About 11 o’clock Frank Hurt drove back and threw some quilts and robes into the yard, and then crossed over to Corvallis and disappeared quietly. Indications were that if Creffield had been found he would have received much rougher treatment than mere tar and feathers.
Brooks has not been seen
since he was turned loose the night before with his coat of tar and feather,
and all the male hanger-on at the Beach place have likewise disappeared.
Chapters of Holy Rollers where these articles are some of the sources:
Chapter 7: Esther, The Chosen One
Chapter 8: Tar and Feathers
***
December 30, 1903: Owner of Property Refuses to Permit Séances
January 9, 1904: Their Welcome Departure
***
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)