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.

June 1, 1906: Morris Claims Mitchell Rid World of a Fiend

 

Silas M. Shipley & Will H. MorrisSeattle Star 6/1/1906 p1

Creffield’s Influences

Will H. Morris Finds Terrible Condition of Affairs Caused By Holy Roller Leader.

 

Evidence which will have a vital bearing upon the trial of George Mitchell, who is to appear on June 25 charged with having shot and killed Edmund Creffield, self-styled “Joshua” and leader of the famous Holy Roller sect, has been obtained by Will H. Morris, of the firm of Morris, Southard, & Shipley, attorneys retained by the defense.

 

Mr. Morris returned this morning from a trip to Oregon, where he spent some time working in the vicinity of Corvallis, where the Holy Roller craze was originated and practiced by those who joined the religious fanatics camp.

 

“We propose during the trial to place before the jury and the public the truth regarding Creffield’s influences and the terrible effects thereof upon everyone brought within his baneful influence,” said Mr. Morris.

 

ALL UPHOLD MITCHELL

 

“For the first time in my experience I found unanimous public sentiment throughout every section of Oregon in which the Holy Roller doctrines of Creffield were taught and practiced, without dissent justifying the act of Mitchell in putting an end to the life of the wretch in human form who, for the gratification of his own selfish passions taught and induced the people to accept it as truths of the most horrible doctrines.

 

“Wives who were the mothers of children were made to believe that their husbands were defiled and impure, and that the family relationship should no longer be continued; that only Creffield and one or two of his select male followers were their spiritual affinities.

 

“Mothers with babes in their arms were separated from husbands, young girls and single women hardened against fathers and brothers, all as a result of the same false teachings.

 

MANY STILL BELIEVE

 

“I find that many are still believers in Creffield’s divinity; he had prepared them for his death in bodily form and taught them that he would guide their future steps through a spiritual form. One mother who deserted her home refuses to return until Creffields’ spirit shall so dictate. Two of the women who have clung to Creffield even after death and still refuse to doubt his divinity are two girls from East Seattle, whose respectability is known and well recognized by all who are acquainted with them in this city.

 

 

Seattle Daily Times 6/1/1906 p1

Claims Mitchell Rid World of a Fiend

Attorney Will H. Morris Returns From Visit to Oregon and Says Public Does Not Know Full Details.

 

That the half of the wrongs which prompted young George Mitchell to take the law into his own hands and rid the world of Joshua Creffield has not been told in the columns of the press of the Pacific Coast, is the opinion of Will H. Morris, attorney for the man who killed the fiend who had ruined his sisters. Mr. Morris returned this morning from a visit to various towns in Oregon, whither he had been in the interests of his client, and in an interview with a reporter for The Times said:

“At this time I desire to speak only in a general way of the results of my investigation and will not attempt to repeat in advance of the trial the facts in all their horrible details. We purpose during the trial to place before the court and the public the full truth regarding Creffield’s influence and its horrible effects upon everyone who came within his influence.

 

“For the first time in my experience I have found public sentiment throughout every section of Oregon in which the Holy Roller doctrines of Creffield were taught and practiced, justifying without dissent, the act of George Mitchell in putting an end to the life of the wretch who, for the gratification of his own selfish passions, taught and induced people to accept as truths his horrible doctrines.

 

“Briefly, wives who were the mothers of children from 16 to 26 years of age were made to believe that their husbands were defiled and impure and that the family relationship should no longer be continued, but only Creffield and one or two of his select male followers were the spiritual affinities of these deluded persons. Mothers with suckling babes in their arms separated from husbands young girls and single women hardened against fathers and brothers, all as a result of the same false teachings.”

 

“I met and talked with many of Creffield’s followers, including women and girls from Corvallis, Portland and Seattle, and other points, so of whom were discharged from the insane asylum only a short time before Creffield’s release from the penitentiary, and who subsequently have been approached by him and their former relations renewed. Among these latter are women who only recently returned from the beach near Waldport, where they had been left in a destitute and starving condition, waiting for Creffield to rise from his grave. One woman with a six months’ old babe in her arms was left there by her husband, while he, the last male follower of Creffield, influenced by his fanatical belief, had come to Seattle after the killing of Creffield. The present whereabouts of this man is unknown to his aged parents and helpless wife.

 

“I talked with many of the victims and found them to be respectable, modest and refined women and girls. From old neighbors, who had known them from childhood, I learned that prior to their coming in contact with Creffield and his pernicious teachings and blighting influence, all of these women and girls were from families of good reputation, respected by all who knew them, and that not a breath of reproach or a taint of suspicion had ever been directed toward their reputation for virtue and womanly conduct.

 

“I further found that those who had not broken away from Creffield prior to his conviction, particularly those who were with him near Waldport, are still devout believers in his divinity; that he had prepared them by his teachings to expect that he would some day be killed in body, but that his spiritual life could not be destroyed and that he would return and be with them guiding their future steps and counseling them in their future conduct.

 

“They believe all persons who have not accepted Creffield’s divinity to be defiled and out of the devil. They cling together, associate with no outsiders, refuse to return to their husbands, fathers and brothers, because the later are defiled and of the devil. One mother who secreted a seven month’s old babe, a beautiful little girl three years old and another of five years, and a loving husband, refuses to return to them and to her home until such time as Creffield reveals to her that he is willing for her to do so.

 

“Two of these women who have clung to Creffield even after his death and still refuse to doubt his divinity, are two girls from East Seattle, whose respectability is known and well recognized by all who know them in this city.

 

“It was the unanimous expression of all persons with whom I came in contact, including lawyers, doctors, ministers of the gospel, merchants, peace officers and public officials, that Mitchell’s act has relieved the whole Northwest of the most dangerous brute who ever existed in human form.

 

“Many of these persons stated that they recognized the law and respected its enforcement, but that this was one case in which no jury could be secured to render a verdict against Mitchell because his act was for the protection of humanity and was prompted by a necessity from as high a source as the law, namely, the preservation of human society.

 

“One very prominent minister of Corvallis called upon me in person at the hotel, invited me to his house and there told me that many of the people who had become followers of Creffield had previously been members of his church; that he knew them intimately and that no truer women in every respect existed, and that after Creffield had been committed to the penitentiary, some of these women again renewed their former church duties and were constant members and apparently cured of their false beliefs, showed repentance for their conduct and were received by the members of the congregation and treated in a sympathetic Christian manner. They continued in their new manner of living until Creffield’s release and until after he again succeeded in getting them under his influence.

 

“Some of these women were approached through subterfuges and communication was established with them in spite of the closest surveillance by their husbands, fathers and brothers.

 

“It is known that by reason of the public clamor and the persistent antagonism toward him and his teachings that Creffield at last decided to remove his flock to other fields where he would be relieved from the wholesome restraints of civilization and local law, going to some outlying point where he could practice his deviltry without fear of apprehension, taking these women--mothers, sisters, daughters and babes--with him.

 

“He then left and went to what he called the wilderness on the Pacific Coast, and there were several fathers and husbands in Oregon who found out his intended place of location and started after him. One father met him, drew a revolver and snapped it three times at him and the gun failed to go off.

 

“I don’t believe that I am exaggerating when I state that there were scores of men, any one of whom, if he had met Creffield would have killed him the same as he would have killed a mad dog.

 

“Creffield knew this and hence his desire to remove to other scenes, taking these deluded women with him.

 

“You may say that not one-half of the awful truth concerning Creffield and his Holy Roller teachings and practices has been told.

“The public press has not been able to set forth the real enormity, nor the terrible effects thereof. I have not seen one statement that even approximates the facts, as I have learned them from personal investigation.”

 

 

Seattle Star 6/1/1906 p1

Creffield’s Influences

Will H. Morris Finds Terrible Condition of Affairs Caused By Holy Roller Leader.

 

Evidence which will have a vital bearing upon the trial of George Mitchell, who is to appear on June 25 charged with having shot and killed Edmund Creffield, self-styled “Joshua” and leader of the famous Holy Roller sect, has been obtained by Will H. Morris, of the firm of Morris, Southard, & Shipley, attorneys retained by the defense.

 

Mr. Morris returned this morning from a trip to Oregon, where he spent some time working in the vicinity of Corvallis, where the Holy Roller craze was originated and practiced by those who joined the religious fanatics camp.

“We propose during the trial to place before the jury and the public the truth regarding Creffield’s influences and the terrible effects thereof upon everyone brought within his baneful influence,” said Mr. Morris.

 

ALL UPHOLD MITCHELL

 

“For the first time in my experience I found unanimous public sentiment throughout every section of Oregon in which the Holy Roller doctrines of Creffield were taught and practiced, without dissent justifying the act of Mitchell in putting an end to the life of the wretch in human form who, for the gratification of his own selfish passions taught and induced the people to accept it as truths the most horrible doctrines.

 

“Wives who were the mothers of children were made to believe that their husbands were defiled and impure, and that the family relationship should no longer be continued; that only Creffield and one or two of his select male followers were their spiritual affinities.

 

“Mothers with babes in their arms were separated from husbands, young girls and single women hardened against fathers and brothers, all as a result of the same false teachings.

 

MANY STILL BELIEVE

 

“I find that many are still believers in Creffield’s divinity; he had prepared them for his death in bodily form and taught them that he would guide their future steps through a spiritual form. One mother who deserted her home refuses to return until Creffields’ spirit shall so dictate. Two of the women who have clung to Creffield even after death and still refuse to doubt his divinity are two girls from East Seattle, whose respectability is known and well recognized by all who are acquainted with them in this city.

 

 

Seattle Daily Times 6/1/1906 p1

Claims Mitchell Rid World of a Fiend.

 Attorney Will H. Morris Returns From Visit to Oregon and Says Public Does Not Know Full Details.

 

That the half of the wrongs which prompted young George Mitchell to take the law into his own hands and rid the world of Joshua Creffield has not been told in the columns of the press of the Pacific Coast, is the opinion of Will H. Morris, attorney for the man who killed the fiend who had ruined his sisters. Mr. Morris returned this morning from a visit to various towns in Oregon, whither he had been in the interests of his client, and in an interview with a reporter for The Times said:

“At this time I desire to speak only in a general way of the results of my investigation and will not attempt to repeat in advance of the trial the facts in all their horrible details. We purpose during the trial to place before the court and the public the full truth regarding Creffield’s influence and its horrible effects upon everyone who came within his influence.

 

“For the first time in my experience I have found public sentiment throughout every section of Oregon in which the Holy Roller doctrines of Creffield were taught and practiced, justifying without dissent, the act of George Mitchell in putting an end to the life of the wretch who, for the gratification of his own selfish passions, taught and induced people to accept as truths his horrible doctrines.

 

“Briefly, wives who were the mothers of children from 16 to 26 years of age were made to believe that their husbands were defiled and impure and that the family relationship should no longer be continued, but only Creffield and one or two of his select male followers were the spiritual affinities of these deluded persons. Mothers with suckling babes in their arms separated from husbands young girls and single women hardened against fathers and brothers, all as a result of the same false teachings.”

 

“I met and talked with many of Creffield’s followers, including women and girls from Corvallis, Portland and Seattle, and other points, so of whom were discharged from the insane asylum only a short time before Creffield’s release from the penitentiary, and who subsequently have been approached by him and their former relations renewed. Among these latter are women who only recently returned from the beach near Waldport, where they had been left in a destitute and starving condition, waiting for Creffield to rise from his grave. One woman with a six months’ old babe in her arms was left there by her husband, while he, the last male follower of Creffield, influenced by his fanatical belief, had come to Seattle after the killing of Creffield. The present whereabouts of this man is unknown to his aged parents and helpless wife.

 

“I talked with many of the victims and found them to be respectable, modest and refined women and girls. From old neighbors, who had known them from childhood, I learned that prior to their coming in contact with Creffield and his pernicious teachings and blighting influence, all of these women and girls were from families of good reputation, respected by all who knew them, and that not a breath of reproach or a taint of suspicion had ever been directed toward their reputation for virtue and womanly conduct.

 

“I further found that those who had not broken away from Creffield prior to his conviction, particularly those who were with him near Waldport, are still devout believers in his divinity; that he had prepared them by his teachings to expect that he would some day be killed in body, but that his spiritual life could not be destroyed and that he would return and be with them guiding their future steps and counseling them in their future conduct.

 

“They believe all persons who have not accepted Creffield’s divinity to be defiled and out of the devil. They cling together, associate with no outsiders, refuse to return to their husbands, fathers and brothers, because the later are defiled and of the devil. One mother who secreted a seven month’s old babe, a beautiful little girl three years old and another of five years, and a loving husband, refuses to return to them and to her home until such time as Creffield reveals to her that he is willing for her to do so.

 

“Two of these women who have clung to Creffield even after his death and still refuse to doubt his divinity, are two girls from East Seattle, whose respectability is known and well recognized by all who know them in this city.

 

“It was the unanimous expression of all persons with whom I came in contact, including lawyers, doctors, ministers of the gospel, merchants, peace officers and public officials, that Mitchell’s act has relieved the whole Northwest of the most dangerous brute who ever existed in human form.

 

“Many of these persons stated that they recognized the law and respected its enforcement, but that this was one case in which no jury could be secured to render a verdict against Mitchell because his act was for the protection of humanity and was prompted by a necessity from as high a source as the law, namely, the preservation of human society.

 

“One very prominent minister of Corvallis called upon me in person at the hotel, invited me to his house and there told me that many of the people who had become followers of Creffield had previously been members of his church; that he knew them intimately and that no truer women in every respect existed, and that after Creffield had been committed to the penitentiary, some of these women again renewed their former church duties and were constant members and apparently cured of their false beliefs, showed repentance for their conduct and were received by the members of the congregation and treated in a sympathetic Christian manner. They continued in their new manner of living until Creffield’s release and until after he again succeeded in getting them under his influence.

 

“Some of these women were approached through subterfuges and communication was established with them in spite of the closest surveillance by their husbands, fathers and brothers.

 

“It is known that by reason of the public clamor and the persistent antagonism toward him and his teachings that Creffield at last decided to remove his flock to other fields where he would be relieved from the wholesome restraints of civilization and local law, going to some outlying point where he could practice his deviltry without fear of apprehension, taking these women--mothers, sisters, daughters and babes--with him.

 

“He then left and went to what he called the wilderness on the Pacific Coast, and there were several fathers and husbands in Oregon who found out his intended place of location and started after him. One father met him, drew a revolver and snapped it three times at him and the gun failed to go off.

 

“I don’t believe that I am exaggerating when I state that there were scores of men, any one of whom, if he had met Creffield would have killed him the same as he would have killed a mad dog.

 

“Creffield knew this and hence his desire to remove to other scenes, taking these deluded women with him.

 

“You may say that not one-half of the awful truth concerning Creffield and his Holy Roller teachings and practices has been told.

 

“The public press has not been able to set forth the real enormity, nor the terrible effects thereof. I have not seen one statement that even approximates the facts, as I have learned them from personal investigation.”

 

 

HEADLINES IN DIFFERENT PAPERS FOR THE SAME ARTICLE

 

Los Angeles Herald 6/2/1906 p1

Record Quake at Washington

 

Los Angeles Herald 6/2/1906 p1

Record Quake at Washington

 

The seismograph at the weather bureau registered an earthquake of considerable magnitude beginning at about midnight of May 31. The total duration of the earthquake was nearly two hours.

 

Prof. Charles Marvin, in charge of the instrument division at the weather bureau said, tonight, that the vibration here conveyed no intimation to the officials as to where the earthquake had been and indicated that in the last two weeks similar shocks have occurred quite frequently, being as a rule more severe than prior to that time.

The vibration recorded here last night was greater than any since the disaster at San Francisco.

 

 

Corvallis Gazette 6/5/1906 p3

Local and Personal

 

Clarence Hartley, of Portland is in the city this week, visiting relatives.

 

Claud Starr arrived yesterday from The Dalles, on a visit to relatives.

Mrs. Susan Starr came in from Bellefountain, Saturday, and will remain for the present in this city.

 

ADDITIONAL LOCAL
Recent contributions to the George Mitchell fund are as follows: A. C. White, $1; A. J. Hall, $1; Park Bros., $4; John Beach $5.

 

 

Corvallis Gazette 6/15/1906 p1

Will You Help Him?

 

The trial of George H. Mitchell for the shooting of Joshua Creffield will begin in Seattle, Monday, the 25th.

 

For the defense of Mitchell $250 more is required, and it is requested that everyone donate, to the end that the young man may be given the best legal services obtainable.

 

The Gazette has proffered its services in the matter and will receive any contributions and forward them free.

 

Everyone should assist and double the donations already made, for this case is not of the ordinary, and that young Mitchell was justified in committing the deed seems to be the general opinion of everyone familiar with the unholy teachings and practices of the slain Creffield.

 

Everyone can donate at least a small amount towards the Mitchell fund and this should be done within the next few days, as the time is limited.

 

Donations can be left at the Gazette office, or handed to Roy Raber, on the street.

 

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