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 25, 1906: George Mitchell on Trial For His Life
Seattle Daily Times 6/25/1906 p1
(Headline across entire top)
Mitchell Trial Begins
George Mitchell on Trial For His Life.
Attorneys Begin Monotonous Search for Jurors
Qualified to Pass Upon Guilt of “Joshua” Creffield’s Slayer.
Five Person Tested, but all
Except Two of Them Have Decided Ideas Upon the Ethics of the Case.
Plea of Temporary Insanity Indicated by Line of
Questioning Adopted by Attorneys for the Defense.
George Mitchell, the young
man, whose family wrongs impelled him to kill “Joshua” Creffield, , the Holy Roller leader, sat in Judge Frater’s courtroom
all day intently watching the faces of the men in the jury box in which will finally
sit the twelve through whose minds will sift the evidence and the arguments,
and who will finally decide whether he shall go free and return to his family
or to the penitentiary or--the gallows.
The young man realizes now,
if he never did before, that he is on trial for his life. He has done his part.
He killed the man who ruined his sisters and broke up their home. It is now
this rolling wheels of the law which he faces and in
their manipulation he had no part. He must sit aside, a spectator, to await the
final slip of paper which at the end will drop into
the hopper of the mill.
The opinions of men have
been passed. Most of them have said that Mitchell did right. There now intervenes binding oaths and legal technicalities to impede
the red-blooded judgment of twelve men, who, all unprejudiced, must review the
whole pitiful tragedy.
Mitchell realizes all this,
but he shows no sign of weakening. He sat today at the corner of the table
occupied by his counsel, Messrs. Morris & Shipley, serious and thoughtful. In
the bottom of his heart, he wished that this man Creffield had never lived to
practice his holy-robed deviltries upon his sisters. He wished that they had
never come under his spell--or at least that he had never heard of them.
MITCHELL NOT AFRAID
But there was nothing about
him of the man afraid. It was just the realization of a boy who loves liberty
and who loves life that the act which he felt himself compelled to commit has
jeopardized them both, that the law has no sentiment, and that he is in the
hands of twelve men over whom his lawyers and the attorneys for the prosecution
will fight for the next two weeks.
He is like a man who has
leaped beneath a swaying rock, hung high on a derrick, to throw his sister out
of danger, and finds himself prostrate, helpless, able only to wonder whether
the rock in its fall will crush him, maim him, or fall to one side. No effort
of his can change the result.
Mitchell was brought in from
the county jail, where he has been confined for seven weeks, at 9:30 o’clock
this morning. There, for the first time there were pointed out to him
Prosecuting Attorney Mackintosh and Chief Deputy John F. Miller, the two men
who are determined to bend every effort to send him to the gallows for what
they term a cold-blooded, cowardly murder.
He has the right to hear the
thousands of words which will be spoken for and against him and to face the twelve men who will decide his fate. That is all. At the end he
will be permitted to take the stand, perhaps, and answer a few questions. As
for the tumult of thoughts and facts which impelled
him to fire the shot, he will scarcely be permitted to tell. His
soul must be painted by others. The jury must look at a bare composite
photograph, while the original remains locked in his bosom, all
glowing in color. The composite is cold black and white, for the law
takes no cognizance of color.
WORK IS TEDIOUS
It was tedious work this
morning. It was all the examination of talesmen, and the questions were much
the same. It was the beginning of the machinery part of it. The cogs were the
lawyers, alternately joking with one another or sober in thought: the men in
the jury box solemn with responsibility, and the silent judge on the bench. The
wheel under the guidance of which they clicked their slow round was contained
in the sheepskin-bound books of the law of the land.
The courtroom was crowded,
but contrary to general expectation, there were few women present. None of
those here as witnesses or intimately concerned in the case were present. All but nine or ten were men. Some of them were members of the regular
panel, which is to be exhausted before the special panel of sixty drawn for
this case is called upon. There were a few regular courtroom loungers, but the
majority were men of affairs, lawyers and business men deeply interested in the ethical question at issue.
The temporary insanity
caused by the knowledge of the fact that his sisters had been drawn again into
the fanatical web of this Holy Roller, would be the defense
was intimated from the start by the attorneys for Mitchell. Their examinations of the talesmen as to their attitude
toward such evidence was thorough and minute. this lead was at once followed by Mr. Mackintosh and Mr. Miller.
The result was a charge,
slightly, unveiled [illegible] by the prosecution that such a defense was a
trumped-up excuse and there followed from both sides a line of questioning
bearing upon the amount of proof required to show the difference between
genuine insanity and the variety trumped up as a subterfuge.
The men examined were
impressed with two facts. One was that there would be evidence introduced to
show that Mitchell, at the time he killed Creffield, was insane, at least to
the extent that he could not control himself so far as Creffield was concerned.
The other was that they must make sure there was evidence to prove actual
insanity before allowing the defendant the doubt as to the control of his
understanding of right and wrong. It is a delicate point and it takes a long
time to explain it to the varying intellects of each talesman.
There were other points
brought up in the examinations. Mr. Miller was especially anxious to find out
the views of the talesmen as to justifiable assassination. He wanted to know
whether they believed that any private individual had the right to take the
life of another under any circumstances. He also wanted to know whether the
fact that the dead man had committed adultery with the defendant’s sister would
make any difference with his verdict. The defense was also eager to find if the
man fully understood the different degrees of homicide.
FIRST MAN EXCUSED
The first talesman examined
was James Brackett, of Bothell. He had decided opinions in the case and was not
afraid to express them. It developed at once that he believed the young
defendant should go free and stated his belief in such terms that Mr. Mr.
Miller asked that he be excused and Judge Frater so ruled.
Then same A. J. Bussart of Black River. Mr. Bussart also seemed to have convictions, but there were on the other side. He did not
incline to the belief that one man had the right to kill another under any
circumstances and that if this was done, the man who did the killing should be
punished. This was satisfactory to Mr. Miller, but did not exactly suit the
defense and they objects. However, the court declined to excuse the man and he
was passed for “cause.”
C. G. Swanson, a
cabinet-maker, was next. He believed that a man had a right to kill another
under certain circumstances, but was not able to define exactly what the circumstances
were. If what he had heard and read were true, he thought Creffield deserved to
be killed, but was not willing to say that Mitchell was justified in killing
him. The point as to whether he would be guided by his oath or his inclination
was raised and the witness promised to abide by the instructions of the court. Neither
seemed to be satisfied and the man was left in the box for future action.
George A. Chute personally
appealed to Judge Frater to be excused on the ground that his brother was lying
at the point of death and that he would be unable to fix his mind upon the
evidence. Upon the consent of both sides, he was excused. Jesse G. Crandall of
602 Cherry Street, a grocery clerk, was the next man examined. He thought he
would make a fair juror and that he would require proof of real insanity and be able to excuse a crime if insanity were proven. He was
passed.
P. W. Fisher of 323 West
Mercer Street was the last talesman examined before the noon recess. He is a
druggist at 618 Broadway. Mr. Fisher does not believe in any man taking the law
into his own hands. He also has no prejudices against religious fanatics and
believes they have as much right to live as any one else. He also said he would
not be too much influenced by the adultery charge. He too was passed.
V. L. McCracken was the
first talesman examined at the afternoon session. He was excused because he had
already formed an opinion in the case. M. H. Ring came next and was passed.
Seattle Daily Times 6/25/1906 p2
Says She Talked With God
Believing that she has had a
visitation from God and that the Almighty is angry with the woman for coming to
this city in response to the appeal of her brother, Esther Mitchell, the
18-year-old sister of George Mitchell, today under trial for the murder of “Joshua”
Creffield, absolutely refuses to have any communication with her married
sister, Mrs. M. E. Starr (sic), who has come to Seattle to be near her young
brother in his hour of trouble.
As soon as Mrs. Starr
arrived in the city, she went to the Stevens Hotel and young Perry Mitchell
went to see Esther in the hope that she would once more enter the family
circle, trusting that the influence of an older sister would have a beneficial
effect upon the mind of the young woman who still seems under the baneful
influence of the man who was responsible for the great afflictions which have
been visited upon her family.
It was upon the charge of
adultery with Mrs. Starr that Creffield was convicted and served a sentence in
the Oregon prison. It was also alleged that he had been intimate with Esther
Creffield (sic) and it was mainly for this reason that young Mitchell committed
the deed for which he is now upon trial for his life.
When approached by her
brother Esther told him to go away and not to bother her, that she did not want
to see her sister or have anything to do with her.
“Tell her for me,” said the
young girl, “that last night I had a visitation from God and that He is very
angry with her for coming here. She must make her peace with Him before I will
have anything to do with her. I told her she was wrong to think of coming here
and I did all I could to keep her away. And now I don’t want to see her or have
anything to do with her until she has made her peace with the Almighty and
obtained forgiveness for violating His wishes.”
No amount of persuasion
would avail towards changing the resolution of the young woman who still
persists that Creffield was of another clay from ordinary mortals and that he
will yet return to punish the men and women who, she says, have traduced and
maligned him.
Seattle Star 6/25/1906 p1
George Mitchell on Trial For His Life
Defense Will be Temporary
Insanity Induced by Justification---Attorneys Show Caution in Their
Examination.
Temporary insanity,
occasioned by the action of the man he killed will be the defense interposed in
behalf of George Mitchell, place on trial in Judge Frater’s court this morning
for the crime of killing Franz Edmund Creffield, the leader of the Holy
rollers.
this became immediately evident from the questions asked
of the prospective jury men by the attorneys for the defense, Will H. Morris
and S. M. Shipley.
FOUR JURY MEN EXAMINED
Four jury
men were examined by the opposing attorneys during the morning session
of the court, and all of them were passed for cause. To of them were challenged by the defense, but both challenges were denied. Those
accepted are A. J. Bossert, C. G. Swanson, J. G.
Crandall and P. E. Fisher. George A. Chute, who was summoned as a jury man was excused by Judge Frater on account of the
serious illness of his mother.
The other jury men called in
the case and to be examined this afternoon, if their examination does not drag
out at too great length are L. M. Bechtel, Daniel Meyers, V. L. McCracken, M.
R. Ring, W. E. Williams, C. W. French, Fred Clinton and R. Cowman. (All names
may be spelled wrong in that the print is almost illegible.)
DWELL ON TWO POINTS
Two points
were dwelt on by the attorneys for the defense in the examination of jurors. One was the point of a defense on the ground of
insanity, and the other was the religious element in the case. On the subject
of insanity a question asked in one form or another of every [illegible]
examined was:
“If it is shown that there
was a reasonable doubt as to the defendant’s mental condition at the time this
deed was committed, will you give him the benefit of that doubt in rendering
your verdict?”
And another one was:
“On the question of the
sanity of the defendant will you accept the testimony of the witnesses place on
the stand in this trial and disregard any preconceived ideas which you have
formed in advance?”
COUNTER QUESTION
The attorneys for the
prosecution, Prosecuting Attorney Mackintosh and his assistant, Judge Miller
countered these suggestions as to insanity by asking the question:
“If insanity is interposed
as a defense in this case will you endeavor to distinguish between the actual
insanity of the defendant and a pretense of insanity put up as a means of
escaping punishment for a crime?”
FEAR JUROR’S SYMPATHY
Attorneys for the defense
were very scrupulous lest some one be accepted on the jury who is disposed to
have sympathy for the dead leader of the Holy rollers. Attorney Morris repeatedly
asked the jury men:
“If it is shown in the
course of this trial that the deceased Creffield was a religious teacher,
professed in fact to be a second Christ, will that fact have a tendency to
influence you against the defendant?”
Judge Miller, on the other
hand, made a strong point with several of the jury men of the question of the right of personal assassination. Of one jury man he asked repeatedly in one form or another the
question:
“Are you a believer in the
right of personal assassination?” Is there existing in your mind the belief
that any state of affairs could arise which would justify one man in going out
and taking the life of another?”
BEGINNING IS TAME
the proceedings of the trial in its early stages were
tame to the point of being uninteresting but for the indications displayed of
the fierce legal battle which is to be developed as the trial progresses. The court room was filled almost to the limit of its standing
room with interested spectators, there being some 150 persons present, including
a number of women. About a score of these are from Corvallis, and other points
in Oregon attracted here by their interest in the developments of the trial. Some
of the women who have come into prominence in connection with the case were
present at the opening of the trial.
MITCHELL IS CALM
Mitchell, the defendant, sat
through the morning session at the left of his attorneys, attentive, collected
and to all appearances calmly confident of the outcome. There was not a sign on
his face, not a move in his actions to indicate that he feels any nervousness
regarding his condition. He was but very rarely consulted by the attorneys, and
references to him in the discussions of the attorneys or the cross questioning
of jurors did not move him in the slightest degree.
Seattle Star 6/25/1906 p1
Mitchell’s Brother Here For the Trial
Comes From Danville To Lend What Assistance He Can To
The Slayer Of Holy Roller Creffield.
Perry Mitchell, brother of
George Mitchell, arrived in Seattle this morning from Danville, Ill, to be
present when his brother is placed on trial Monday for the killing of Edmund
Creffield, the Holy Roller leader.
Upon his arrival in the city
at about 10 o’clock he almost immediately went to the courthouse and visited
his brother. They talked for about an hour in the jailer’s office and them
Perry made direct for the offices of his brother’s attorneys. He was seen at
the court house by a reporter for the Star.
WILL HELP BROTHER
“I don’t want to say
anything about this affair yet till I’ve seen the attorneys,” he said. “I’ve
come all the way from Illinois to do what I can to help my brother, and it
would be foolish to say something that would weaken our side. I was in Danville
when I read in one of the papers that my brother had killed that cur,
Creffield, and I left the town immediately for Seattle. I haven’t seen my
sister, Esther, yet; I didn’t even know she was in town until this morning.
INTEREST GROWN
Interest in the case is
increasing as the time for the trial approaches. The prosecuting attorney’s
office has laid aside all other business in the preparation of the prosecution,
and the same thing can be said regarding the preparation for the defense.
Mr. Shipley says that he
receives letters every day from prominent people in Portland offering their
services as witnesses or in any other way they can be of help to the defense.
HEADLINES IN DIFFERENT PAPERS FOR THE SAME ARTICLE
Oregon Daily Journal (Portland) 6/25/1906 p1
Mitchell is Placed on Trial
Corvallis Times 6/26/1906 p1
The Trial
Slayer of Creffield, the Holy Roller Leader Faces
Seattle Jury to Answer for Crime
Work of Selecting Jurors Occupies First Day’s
Proceedings--Only One of Five Talesman Examined Excused at Noon--
Sister of Accused in Court.
MITCHELL IN THE HANDS OF A
JURY FOR SLAYING THE HOLY ROLLER “PROPHET”
Work of Selecting Jurors Not
Yet Finished--Miss Esther Refuses to See Her Sister--Perry Mitchell of
Illinois, is Present at Trial.
(Journal Special Service)
Seattle, Wash., June 25.--The case of George Mitchell, the youthful slayer of
Edmund Creffield, and avenger of the wrongs done his two sisters by the holy
roller prophet, was called for trial today. No criminal case in many years has
attracted so much attention throughout this section as that of young Mitchell
and the trial will be followed with intense interest. The accused youth has
hosts of sympathizers in Portland, Corvallis and other Oregon points where the
people were acquainted with the odious practices and teachings of Creffield and
a substantial fund has been raised for Mitchell’s defense.
SELECTING A JURY
The work of selecting a jury
began this morning before Judge Frater in the superior court. At the noon
adjournment of court five jurors had been examined and one had been excused for
being prejudiced. None of the other had formed an opinion of the case.
W. H. Morris, who is
defending Mitchell, will use peremptory challenges to get rid of three out of
four who have passed. It will take three days at the least to secure a panel to
try the case.
Mrs. Burgess Starr, the
married sister of Mitchell, and for debauching whom Creffield served two years
in the Salem penitentiary, is in court with her three young children to testify
in favor of her brother.
BROTHER FROM ILLINOIS
Perry Mitchell of Illinois,
a brother of the accused, is here to give aid to the defense. Yesterday he
called on Esther Mitchell, his sister, who will testify for the prosecution, at
the home of the police matron, and told her that Mrs. Starr, her sister, was
here and would be in toe see her.
“I do not want to see or to
speak to her,” said young Esther Mitchell.
The brother said, “Don’t you
want to see your sister?”
“No, I do not,” replied the
girl, “but if she comes I suppose I shall have to see her. Last night I had a
vision that she had displeased God and that God did not want me to see her.”
The defense will try to
exclude Esther Mitchell’s testimony on the ground that she is insane.
The killing of ”Apostle
Joshua,” as Creffield called himself, occurred on the
streets of Seattle some two months ago. “I’ve got my man. Am in jail,” was the
unique telegram the young murderer sent to his father at Corvallis.
“I came here from Portland
for the purpose of Killing Creffield,” Mitchell explained after his arrest. “I
saw him and his wife on First Avenue and shot the man. That’s all there is to
it. He ruined my two sisters and I took his life.
Shortly before he was killed
Creffield had been released from the penitentiary after serving two years for
illicit relations with women followers. Prior to his conviction, the peculiar
ceremonies of the holy roller behind closed doors and
by the light of candles became so objectionable to the people of Corvallis that
the authorities were appealed to (Continued on Page two.)
MITCHELL IS PLACED
(Continued from Page One)
Tales too revolting to be
put into print were told of the practices habitually indulged in by Creffield
and his followers. Many of the latter were wives, sisters and even young
daughters and numerous families were broken up before Creffield’s career was
brought to an end.
Many of the holy rollers
were sent to the insane asylum. Among them was Creffield’s wife, then Ida M.
Hurt (sic). She recovered, and got a divorce, while Creffield was in the
penitentiary. On his return, however, she remarried him in Seattle, despite the
protests of her family. She declares he was guiltless of Mitchell’s charges.
HEADLINES IN DIFFERENT PAPERS FOR THE SAME ARTICLE
Evening Telegram (Portland) 6/25/1906 p1
Slayer of Holy Roller Creffield Begins Fight For Life
in Seattle
Daily Oregon Statesman (Salem) 6/26/1906 p3
Mitchell on Trial
Trial of George Mitchell, Charged With Murder in the
First Degree, Commences Before Judge Frater in Superior Court.
SLAYER OF FRANZ EDMUND
CREFFIELD TO ANSWER BEFORE WASHINGTON JURY
(Photo Of “Slayer Of Holy Roller Creffield, George Mitchell, Whose Trial Begins In
Seattle Monday, June 25.”)
SEATTLE, Wash., June 25.--George Mitchell, the Corvallis farmer boy, who on May 7
shot and killed Franz Edmund Creffield, the Holy Roller prophet, on a Seattle
street corner, was this morning place on trial in Department No. 1 of the
Superior Court, charged with murder in the first degree.
Mitchell came into court in
charge of a Deputy Sheriff, his face smooth shaven, his hair carefully brushed
and his linen spotless. Long before the hour of opening court the room was
crowded and the corridors were full of curiously inclined, anxious for a
glimpse of the man who because of the wrongs done his sisters took the law into
his own hands. As Mitchell took his seat behind the rail, he
was greeted by his attorneys, Will H. Morris and Silas Shipley. He shook
hands with both and chatted without any display of nervousness until Judge
Frater took the bench and court was called to order.
The Mitchell trial promises
to be one of the longest and hardest fought criminal cases in the history of
King county. In the belief that the 90 men who are on
the regular venire of talesmen for this term of court would be exhausted before
a jury was secured, the jury commissioners drew a special venire of 60 men. It
is expected that it will take at least a week and probably longer to secure a
jury.
Prosecuting
Attorney Kenneth Mackintosh is assisted in his duties for the state by
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John F. Miller.
The defense will plead that
Mitchell was driven to temporary insanity brought about by brooding on the
wrongs done his sisters by Creffield. Thirty witnesses have been subpoenaed by
the defense from Oregon.
One of the main efforts of
the prosecution will be to prevent any testimony concerning the doings of the
Holy Roller cult from being presented to the jury, and it is likely that the
arguments of opposing counsel on this question will take up at least two days
of the month which it is believed will be required before the case will be
given to the jury.
(The usual
about defense and prosecuting strategies and a recap of the murder).
Morning Oregonian (Portland) 6/26/1906 p1
Mitchell Trial On At Seattle
Much Difficulty Found In Securing Jury.
Talesmen Are Prejudiced.
(illegible) Without Opinions
As To (illegible) Killing Of Holy Roller
Defendant Seems Stoical
(illegible) Declares That He
Did Right (illegible) Shooting Sister’s Betrayer. Nevertheless
He Will Plead Temporary Insanity.
by George White
SEATTLE, Wash., June 25.--(Staff Correspondent)-- George Mitchell who shot Franz
Edmund Creffield, leader of the “”” “Holy Rollers,” on the streets of Seattle
last month, was placed on trial for his life in Superior Court today. the courtroom was packed (illegible) the morning and
afternoon sessions, and keenest interest was shown (illegible) proceedings
throughout. among spectators were a number of people (illegible)
Corvallis, where the self-styled (illegible)” fist taught his debasing
doctrines and committed the crimes that (illegible) his assassination by the
outraged (illegible) of one of his victims.
Several Portland people
directly interested in the case were also on hand, (illegible) those in
attendance were elderly and many of them being members of (illegible) Seattle
churches.
Mitchell came into the court
this morning with the stoical air of one who id prepared for anything that may
come. His (illegible) to the proceedings was perfunctory. His attitude was that
of a man (illegible) that he has done nothing he (illegible) feel remorse. In
an interview during a recess of court he said as much.
SAYS HE DID ONLY RIGHT
(illegible)
killed Creffield and had a right to (illegible)” he quietly remarked. “I would
do the same thing over again. I am prepared for whatever may come. I am (illegible), however, that my release from (illegible) with follow
this trial.”
Notwithstanding this
attitude of the defendant, his lawyers will set up the (illegible)
of temporary insanity. It is believed (illegible) that this plea will be
made only (illegible) with the requirements of the (illegible) which does not
recognize the right of an individual to avenge his own (illegible) The real
strength of the defense (illegible) in the circumstances that led Mitchell to
take the life of his sister’s (illegible)
(illegible)
the case is to be closely contested by both prosecution and defense (illegible)
clearly indicated by the effort to secure a (illegible) today. The regular
panel was soon (illegible) and a special venire will be (illegible) tomorrow.
All talesmen whose (illegible) did not appear to be entirely free of bias or
prejudice were promptly (illegible) to the prosecution. all who were excused from service because of prejudices in the case were biased on
the defendant’s behalf. One talesman, (illegible) Swanson, declared
unqualifiedly that he believed Creffield received his just deserts.
QUIBBLE OF THE PROSECUTION
(illegible)
prosecution is seeking to secure (illegible) who believe that retribution is a (illegible)
to be left entirely in the hands of the law. An issue will probably be (illegible)
the fact that Creffield served two years in the Oregon Penitentiary as a result
of his illicit relations with Mrs. Donna Starr, Mitchell’s sister, and that (illegible)
the law has been satisfied on that score.
(illegible)
also known that the prosecution will endeavor to exclude all testimony (illegible)
to “Rollerism?” as preached by (illegible) at Corvallis. This
point will be contested by the defendant’s attorney as herein lies the
bulwark of the defense. They have subpoenaed a (illegible) of witnesses from Corvallis (illegible) Portland.
(illegible)
of the witnesses from Oregon more (illegible) interested in the case are already,
but the majority will not come until summoned by the defense. Not until (illegible)
positively known just what testimony will be admitted will this call be made, (illegible)
the expense of maintaining 20 or 30 witnesses for a week or ten days would (illegible)
means small.
WILL SHOW UP HIS RECORD
(illegible)
the intention of the defendant’s attorneys--will H. Morris and Silas M.
Shipley--to bring out the whole miserable (illegible) of Creffield’s career, if
the court (illegible); his unholy practices at Corvallis, the relations with
Mitchell’s sister; (illegible) for and conviction of a statutory (illegible)
earned him two years in the Oregon Penitentiary; his action in luring
Mitchell’s sisters away from their homes, (illegible) them and other women to
an (illegible) spot on the Oregon coast; his (illegible) future bestial orgies
at this re(illegible) at the time he was shot down like a do on one of
Seattle’s principal streets(illegible) all these things, it will be con-(illegible)
had produced in Mitchell a mental (illegible) that had rendered him incapable
of (illegible) right from wrong at the time hi fired the fatal shot.
(illegible)
state, it will be urged, was closely (illegible) immunity, and was in fact
nothing more nor less than a temporary state of insanity.
Today was devoted entirely
to the examination of talesmen. The jury may not be completed for a week.
Examining these talesmen is unavoidably slow work. The mental attitude of each
talesman must be sought out by state and defense. The state will accept no man
that professes to uphold the right of one individual to kill another regardless
of legal remedies. Nor do the state’s attorneys want anyone who has been
prejudiced by the published accounts of the tragedy.
Talesmen who have not one or
both of these flaws seem few and far between. Of 14 men examined today, eight
were excused; nearly all of them at the request of the prosecution because of
having prejudices which testimony would be required to remove. six were passed for cause.
ALL MAY BE CHALLENGED
Any or all of these may be
swept away tomorrow, as the defense has 24 peremptory challenges at its
disposal, while the state has six.
The six talesmen passed for cause were: Jesse G. Grandall, R.
E. Fischer, C. G. Swanson, John Simms, M. F. Piney and F. M. Townsend. Those
excused were : James Brackett, A. J. Bossert, George Chute, N. L. McCracken, W. R. Williams,
Wallace Bechtol, A. C. Abrams and C. M. Sparman.
The case
of the state is being handled by Prosecuting Attorney Mackintosh and his
assistant, John F. Miller. Judge
Frater is on the bench. The expense to the state of Washington will amount to
many thousand dollars. This probable expense in Seattle is viewed as rather
unfortunate inasmuch as the principals in the tragedy were from Oregon and the
cause arose there. Washington’s sole connection with the affair is the fact
that Mitchell chanced to locate in Seattle the man he was seeking to kill.
CORVALLIS PAYS FOR DEFENSE
The cost of Mitchell’s
defense is being borne by residents of Corvallis and surrounding districts,
where the feeling is bitter against Creffield. A purse of several hundred
dollars was raised here and it is understood that more will be forthcoming if
necessary. In Attorneys Morris and Shipley, Mitchell has lawyers who have been
notably successful in criminal practice.
Among the deeply interested
spectators in the courtroom today was O. V. Hurt, of Corvallis, father-in-law
of Creffield. Hurt is not here as Creffield’s sympathizer, being one of
Mitchell’s staunchest supporters. His wife and two daughters suffered at
Creffield’s hands. His daughter, Mrs. Maud Hurt Creffield, the Holy Roller’s
widow, was not in court today, although she is in Seattle. She is held by the
state as a witness.
OREGON WITNESSES PRESENT
Others from Oregon who have
reported to Attorneys Morris and Shipley are: John Catlin, Albany, Mrs. Hager,
Burgess E. Starr, E. P. Harris, and Mrs. Burgess, Portland; Edwin H. Baldwin
and James K. Berry, Corvallis; George VanDran,
Albany.
Tomorrow morning at 9:30
o’clock the case will again be taken up. The attorneys are confident that
before the end of the week the first witness will be placed on the stand. It is
hoped to have the case in the hands of the jury within ten days.
“HOLY ROLLERISM” NOT DEAD
“Holy Rollerism” is not yet
dead. It still beclouds the mind of Esther Mitchell, the sister of George
Mitchell. While her brother sat in the Superior Court today on trial for his
life, this girl, still in her teens, was mourning the death of Creffield and
living as she has lived for weeks, in expectation of his resurrection. The girl
seemingly has no sympathy for her brother, and today she refused to see Mrs.
Burgess Starr, her own sister, on whose account Mitchell killed Creffield.
The girl came to Seattle
shortly after Creffield was killed. She had been under the man’s power for two
years, and was one of those who believed he was immortal.
The girl says she refused to
see Mrs. Starr today because the latter came her to assist her brother in his
fight for his life. Word was taken to her at the city jail, where she is in
charge of the police matron, that the sister was anxious to have a talk with
her.
“My sister has displeased
God by coming here to testify in this trial,” said the girl. “I do not care to
have anything to do with her.”
CLAIMS TO HAVE REVELATION
It developed that Esther
recently wrote to Mrs. Starr at Portland advising her to remain away from the
trial. In this letter she claimed to have had a revelation from God through
Creffield saying that Mrs. Starr was not to come here or take any part in the
trial--especially by testifying in her brother’s behalf.
Fred Mitchell, a brother of
George, is in Seattle to help the latter out of his trouble. Esther also
refuses to have anything to do with him.
Morning Oregonian (Portland) 6/27/1906 p1
Holy Rollerism Is Again Revived
Followers Of Creffield Cling To Faith
Snake Is Only Scotched
Witnesses At Seattle Show Signs Of Backsliding.
Esther Mitchell’s Work
Dead Prophet’s Former Adherents Secretly
Cherish Idea That He Will Return To Earth--Jury Not Yet Secured.
by George White.
SEATTLE, Wash.,
June 26.--(Staff Correspondence.) All day the tedious,
humdrum work of selecting a jury to try George Mitchell for his life on a
charge of Murdering Edmund Creffield was kept up. When the Superior Court
adjourned for the day there were 12 talesmen in the jury box; all passed for cause. Were all these to be accepted in the morning, the taking
of testimony could be proceeded with. To all outward appearances there is no
reason for objecting to any of these talesmen. All have answered the questions
put to them satisfactorily to both prosecution and defense. All have the
requisite legal qualifications.
But in their
capacities as students of human nature the attorneys in the case undoubtedly
have formed prejudices. Watching each talesman intently every moment they have
weighed each personality and studied the psychology of each man with whom they
must rest their hopes of success or chances of defeat. By this weighing and
judging of men they have formed their opinions as to the desirability of each
talesman as qualified. Hence, when court convenes again tomorrow morning,
peremptory challenges will be in order.
ALL MAY BE
CHALLENGED
It is known this
evening that at least two of the talesmen now in the jury box are to be
challenged in this manner. Probably more may be similarly dealt with. It is not
altogether improbable that the box will be entirely emptied and a new set of
talesmen brought in. as it now stands the jury may be complete by noon
tomorrow, or it may not be ready until the end of the week or the beginning of
next week.
Both sides are
feeling every inch of their way with utmost care and caution. Legal maneuvering
has already begun, each side seeking to outflank the other on some point that
may seem unimportant to the lay observer but which may develop significance
later in the trial.
Late this
afternoon, Attorney Will H. Morris, representing Mitchell, recited all the
morbid details of Creffield’s fanatical teachings and of his dealings with the
prisoner’s sisters prior to the shooting. He brought our these facts in the
examination of F. M. Townsend, one of the last talesmen of the afternoon, at a
time when the jury box was filled with men who had qualified to serve. The
effect of the story was easily apparent. As the nauseating story of Holy
Rollerism was unfolded several talesmen grew deeply interested in their own feet. Others sniffed covertly, and one or two made
no effort to control their emotions as the wretched picture of the wrongs young
Mitchell’s family had suffered was painted to their minds in broad,
unmistakable English.
DEFENSE OBJECTS
IN VAIN
The state’s
attorneys objected to this statement of the case, but since Attorney Morris was
putting it forward in the guise of a question the objection could not
consistently be sustained under previous ruling made by the court. In his word
picture of Holy Rollerism and its practices, Mr. Morris told of Creffield’s
first meeting with Mitchell’s sisters, Mrs. B. E. Starr and Esther Mitchell,
when they were devoted to each other and to other members of their families. He
contrasted this with the subsequent estrangement, the desertion of her husband
and three small children by Mrs. Starr that she might follow the fanatical
pervert, of Esther Mitchell’s apparent mental derangement as a result of her
association with the blighting cult, of the camp on the sea coast where the
sisters suffered countless privations and hardships in obedience to the
hypnotic call of Creffield.
There things, with details too revolting to
print, would be brought out in the testimony, Mr. Morris said. He wanted to
know if such things, as tending to explain Mitchell’s mental attitude toward
the Holy Roller leader would create any prejudice against the defendant in the
talesman mind, should he be accepted as a juror. The talesman admitted that it
would not, and he was passed for cause.
MITCHELL IS
DEEPLY AFFECTED
During the
recital of these things young Defendant Mitchell displayed the first real
emotion that he has shown since the trial began. As the names of his sisters
were spoken he lost his passive, stoical air. The muscles of his face worked
convulsively. His head dropped forward and his eyes became riveted on the
carpet at his feet. He did not look up until some minutes after his attorney
was done speaking, and then he seemed restless and ill at ease, shifting his
position frequently and drumming nervously on the table in front of him.
The recital of
these hideous facts and their apparent effect on the talesmen and spectators
are believed by those following the case to give a fair insight into the
strength of Mitchell’s cause. It is not believed by many people that 12 men can
be gotten together who can hear recited the details of Creffield’s pernicious
practices and yet consider the case calmly without emotion and in accordance
with the letter of the law, which says with icy logic: “Mitchell killed
Creffield, premeditatedly, when he had recourse at law; hence Mitchell is
guilty of murder.”
Public opinion
in Seattle appears to be, for the most part, with Mitchell. There are many,
however, who cannot reconcile their sympathy for the defendant with the idea of
personal assassination; who believe that no man has the right to take the law
into his own hands.
WOMEN OFFER
SYMPATHY
During a recess
of court today the young prisoner received a visit from a group of women, all
of them elderly or past middle age. They said that they did not know Mitchell,
but assured him that he had their deepest sympathy and best wishes. Mitchell
also received a visit from the Starr Children, his nieces, during the forenoon. They were brought to him by their father; the mother
did not appear in court today. One is 7 years old, one 5 and the other a baby
in arms. They are the little ones that were deserted by Mrs. Starr at Creffield’s
call.
Mitchell greeted
the children pleasantly and talked with them during the few minutes they were
allowed to remain at his side.
The 12 talesmen
in the jury box when court closed this afternoon were L. F. Jones, C. W.
French, Fred Clinton, W. C. Howard, James O. Cass, John F. Dore, H. A. C.
Thompson, R. F. Fahley, Jesse G. Crandall, F. M.
Thompson, R. E. Fisher and George Bill. All are residents of King County some
of years’ standing, substantial occupations, and, with the exception of
Crandall, men of family.
FIRST PEREMPTORY
CHALLENGE
C. G. Swanson,
who passed muster Monday, was let out this afternoon on peremptory challenge by
the state. It was the first peremptory challenge, and the only one thus far. The
state’s objection to Swanson was the fact that he intimated having formed
strong convictions bearing on Mitchell’s innocence, but quickly modified this
statement sufficient to prevent being disqualified.
Nine talesmen
were excused because of having strong convictions as to Mitchell’s guilt on the
murder charge. One was dismissed because of prejudice against any man who kills
another, and two were let out because they are opposed to capital punishment
even for cold-blooded murder.
Evidently
inspired by the radical stand taken by Miss Esther Mitchell against her own
brother, who is on trial for murder of the Holy Roller prophet, a revival of
the hysterical faith among its followers now in Seattle came to light today. Though relatives of the women who came under Creffield’s
spell had though the incident closed with Creffield in his grave, they became
painfully aware this morning that they were mistaken.
HOLLY ROLLERISM
IS REVIVED
Mrs. Burgess E.
Starr gave evidence that her faith in Holy Rollerism was revived when she went
through some of the forms of Creffield’s teachings at the Stevens Hotel during
the forenoon. Her husband, B. E. Starr, of Portland, who was with her, is
apprehensive as to the outcome.
“I fear that she
takes stock in the theory that Creffield will return to earth,” he said this
afternoon. “The idea has been presented to here from some source that he will return
in spirit if not in flesh, and I can judge from her manner today that she is
awaiting developments. She refuses to talk with me at all on the subject, and
acts queerly when I mention it.”
O. V. Hurt of
Corvallis, likewise fears that the teachings of Creffield are still advocated
secretly by his wife and two daughters.
“They seem to think he will return to earth in spirit,” said Hurt. “I find that I cannot get them to talk at all on the subject. They are still believers, I fear, and have been greatly influenced by Esther Mitchell’s stand against her brother. To the best of my belief, this trial and the young girl’s strange attitude have aroused all the followers of Holy Rollerism. There are about 15 of them here in Seattle.”
Chapter of Holy Rollers where these articles are some of the sources:
Chapter 18: The Trial
***June 24, 1906: Trial Will Cost Taxpayers Ten Thousand Dollars
June 26, 1906: Mitchell Jury is Selected With Care
***
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)