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.

July 20, 1906: George Mitchell’s Attorney Offers Aid to Murderesses

 

Esther MitchellOregon Daily Journal (Portland) 7/20/1906 p12

Attorney Morris Offers Aid

Seattle Lawyer Informs Father of Mrs. Creffield That He Will Defend Woman.

Mysterious Telegram Received At Corvallis.

On Day of Murder of George Mitchell Message Signed Frank Hurt Imparted News but Young Man Denies Authorship.

 

(Special Dispatch to The Journal)

 

Corvallis, Or., July 20.-- Will H. Morris of Seattle will defend Mrs. Maud-Hurt Creffield in her trial for complicity in the murder of George H. Mitchell, unless he can secure the services of some lawyer entirely satisfactory to himself.

 

Such is the purport of a very courteous letter received yesterday noon by O. V. Hurt from Attorney Morris. Mr. Hurt is highly pleased over the intelligence and shows his gratification in a brighter case of countenance than he has worn for some days. He has nothing but the most enthusiastic words of praise for the Seattle officials and attorneys with whom he has had dealings.

 

“Those fellows have treated me splendidly,” he said today with deep feeling, “and I certainly appreciate their deep kindness.”

 

Mr. Hurt expresses his belief that both women will be sent to the asylum, as he is certain they are mentally deranged. He says that in spite of the fact that Mrs. Creffield thought he was against her when he came to Seattle to testify in behalf of George Mitchell and accused him of being so, she still clings to him as her only friend and refuses to write to or have anything whatever to do with her mother or sister in this city.

 

Mr. Hurt says that Maud always was a very peculiar girl and hard to understand long before the days of Creffieldism. He states that he has always been open and frank with her and that he told her when he went to testify for Mitchell that he was not going against her, but was doing it for her good, as she would live to acknowledge.

 

Esther Mitchell, too, defers to and depends upon his judgment in her hour of difficulty, despite the fact that she shot down the very brother whom Mr. Hurt’s evidence is admitted to have cleared.

 

Frank Hurt arrived home today and expresses a desire to secure employment and remain here. His wife and child have been here ever since the Creffield camp at Waldport was broken up and the few faithful followers brought to Corvallis by a farmer of that vicinity.

 

In the coming home of Frank a peculiar fact has been brought out. On the evening that George Mitchell was shot, L. T. Sandell sent a telegram to Mr. Hurt giving the news. Shortly afterward as second dispatch came to Mr. Hurt from Seattle signed “Frank Hurt.” In conversation today Frank Hurt stated that he had never sent a dispatch at all; that he was working in Victoria at the time and did not even learn of the shooting until the following day. It is a puzzle to both Mr. Hurt and his son today as to who used Frank Hurt’s name and what the motive was in the act.

 

 

HEADLINES IN PAPERS FOR THE SAME ARTICLE

 

Corvallis Times 7/20/1906 p1

May Come to Oregon

Seattle Officials Talk Of Shirking Trial Of Holy Rollers.

Statue Permits It--Insane Persons Residents of Other States May Be Sent Home--Alienists Are at Work on Slayers.

 

Corvallis Gazette 7/20/1906 p1

About the Trial

Seattle May Send Esther Mitchell and Maud Creffield Home.

 

Seattle, Wash., July 18.-- Esther Mitchell and Mrs. Maud Creffield may be removed to their Oregon Homes, instead of being tired for murder here, despite the direct information on a murder charge filed here today. This is a proposition which has been discussed at some length by, and has met with some favor from influential members of the King county bar. One object gained by turning over to Oregon her own citizens, say court officials who have suggested the matter, would be that King county would, at very little cost, rid itself of an expense bill of about $5,000. Mrs. Creffield’s home, they claim, is at Corvallis; Esther Mitchell’s in Newberg, Or., or Portland. A Washington law provides that non-resident insane persons may be taken to their home state. It reads:

Whenever any person shall be found by the superior court in any county to be insane, and such person has no legal residence within this state, such person shall be sent, at the expense of the state, to the place where such person belongs in every case where such place of residence can be ascertained. And it shall be the duty of the superior court at the time of the inquest to ascertain the place where such person belongs, when the same can be conveniently done. The sheriff of the county shall convey such person to the place where he belongs.

 

The trial of George Mitchell, it is estimated, cost King County about $25,000 (sic). As many Oregon Witness would probably be required in the case of the women as in that of the young man against whose life they plotted. The women have the right to be tried separately, thus costing the state twice as much as did Mitchell. Should an insanity commission find the women insane and the court sent them to Oregon, the Oregon officials who were so outspoken in their opinions of the trial of George Mitchell, claim local court officials, would then have a chance to handle the case themselves. Probably Esther and Mrs. Creffield would be sent to the Hospital for the insane at Salem. On the other hand, if alienist experts should find the prisoners sane, their record would be admissible at the murder trial here.

 

Even now insanity experts are holding an inquiry into the mental condition of the prisoners. Much will depend on their report. The information to be filed this afternoon names 17 witnesses for the state, including local police officers, newspaper reporters, physicians, and Perry and Fred Mitchell, Fred Dickmen and Lewis Sandell.

 

 

Corvallis Gazette 7/20/1906 p2

 

Few men have passed through more sorrowful experiences than O. V. Hurt of this city. Commenting on Mr. Hurt and his troubles, and the manner in which he has met them, the Oregonian of Tuesday in and editorial says:

Any dissatisfied and unhappy citizen who thinks that he has a rough time in his daily life, and that the world doesn’t treat him well, should pause long enough to consider the case of Mr. O. V. Hurt, of Corvallis. It is not necessary to enter into details as to the recent history of the Hurt family, for everyone knows it; and everyone feels that few men have deserved more and got less from the hands of fortune and providence, than Mr. Hurt. Yet he has complained not at all, but has met each new vicissitude with remarkable fortitude and rare devotion to his high conception of his duty. The members of his family have thought little of Mr. Hurt, but they have received much from him--far more than many another husband and father in like circumstances could or would have given. Now he is going to see that his misguided daughter, who abandoned and reviled him, has proper legal defense in her trial at Seattle. It is a fine thing for him to do--just as his entire conduct throughout his terrible trouble, or series of troubles, has been something really beautiful and noble.

 

 

Corvallis Gazette 7/20/1906 p1

Murder the Charge

Against Esther Mitchell and Mrs. Maud Creffield.

 

Murder in the first degree is the charge that hangs over Esther Mitchell and Mrs. Maud Creffield in the court of King County, Washington.

 

While O. V. Hurt has offered to mortgage his home in this city for $500 in order to defend his daughter at the proper time, she declares that he shall not spend his money for that purpose and both she and Esther Mitchell affirm that they will not allow any plea of insanity to be entered for them.

 

An Oregonian dispatch from Seattle, Wednesday had the following to say:

 

Attorney Speckert today received a telegram from Judge Upton, of Walla Walla, to the effect that the latter could not possible assist in the defense of Esther Mitchell. Upton created a sensation by the following message sent the night that Esther Mitchell shot down her brother George:

Wall Wall, Wash., July 12, 1906.-- Miss Esther Mitchell, County Jail, Seattle, Wash.--Accept thanks, congratulations and assistance if needed. Talk to your lawyer only.

“William H. Upton.”

 

Attorney Will H. Morris this morning wrote a long letter to O. V. Hurt, Mrs. Creffield’s father advising him that he could not defend the two women, owing to urgent business. Morris stated that the defense of the two women would probably be placed in the hands of a young attorney in this city, at the request of Hurt.

 

Esther Mitchell and Mrs. Creffield were jointly charged with murder in the first degree today by information filed direct in the Superior Court. John F. Miller, assistant prosecuting attorney, stated that the trial of the two women would probably be concluded before Chester Thompson is brought to trial.

 

The prisoners are being examined daily by Dr. J. B. Loughary, who calls in one or more consulting physicians to act as advisers in an effort to determine the mental condition of the women who are responsible for the death of George Mitchell. These examinations are being made at the request of Prosecuting Attorney Mackintosh, and the reports made by the physicians are being kept a secret. It is said, however, by Mackintosh that no complete report has been made so far, and it is probable that the examinations will be kept up for some little time.

 

The women so conduct themselves as to make the determination of their mental condition very baffling.

 

 

Oregon City Enterprise 7/20/1906

Will Sacrifice His Home

 

In all the dirty mess and muss of the Holy Rollers, killing of Creffield, trial of Mitchell and finally the killing of Mitchell by his sister Esther, the conduct of one person has shown out like a beacon in a storm. O. V. Hurt of Corvallis, the father of Mrs. Creffield, has been an example of a true man who has remained true and manly under the worst load of trouble conceivable.

 

His home was broken up by the infamous Creffield, his daughter has reviled him, but now when her need is greatest, when she has hardly a friend, he offers to sacrifice his little home at Corvallis to provide money for her defense.

 

He despised Creffield and fought against his infamous doctrines and influence; his testimony went farthest toward clearing Mitchell; he knows his daughter was an accomplice to Mitchell’s murder, but sees the great heart of the man in writing to Mrs. Creffield’s attorneys:

I am greatly upset by the shock,” states the letter, but there is nothing in vies of the circumstances that I can do but offer assistance to my deluded daughter. My little home here will only bring about $500 on a mortgage, but I am willing to sacrifice it for my daughter’s sake. If the two women are tried together, I am willing to back both of them.

 

The following just tribute to Mr. Hurt appeared editorially in the Oregonian:

Any dissatisfied and unhappy citizen who thinks that he has a rough time in his daily life, and that the world doesn’t treat him well, should pause long enough to consider the case of Mr. O. V. Hurt, of Corvallis. It is not necessary to enter into details as to the recent history of the Hurt family, for everyone knows it; and everyone feels that few men have deserved more and got less from the hands of fortune and providence, than Mr. Hurt. Yet he has complained not at all, but has met each new vicissitude with remarkable fortitude and rare devotion to his high conception of his duty. The members of his family have thought little of Mr. Hurt, but they have received much from him--far more than many another husband and father in like circumstances could or would have given. Now he is going to see that his misguided daughter, who abandoned and reviled him, has proper legal defense in her trial at Seattle. It is a fine thing for him to do--just as his entire conduct throughout his terrible trouble, or series of troubles, has been something really beautiful and noble.

 

 

Corvallis Times 7/20/1906 p3

Perry Mitchell

He was in Corvallis--Plans that his sister’s Revolver Disarranged.

 

Perry Mitchell, brother of the slayer of Creffield was a Corvallis visitor Wednesday. He came in on the Westside from Newberg at noon and left for Portland on the 6:30 C & E yesterday morning. His errand in town was to consult with O. V. Hurt. He was by the side of George Mitchell at the Seattle depot when the latter was shot down by Esther Mitchell. He says that what makes the affair the more terrible is that both Esther and George Mitchell were favorites in the Mitchell family. Both were extremely beloved by all other members of the family.

 

In appearance Perry Mitchell so much resembles his dead brother that he was recognized on the street by strangers as likely to be a Mitchell from pictures of George published in the newspapers recently. He is of medium height, rather slight build, with brown hair, and a smoothly shaven pleasant face. He is 21 years of age. He expects to be a witness at the trial of his sister, but does not want her convicted. At the time of the shooting, he was almost prostrated with grief, and signs of sadness were plainly visible on his face when in Corvallis. He became for a time in a measure embittered toward his sister, but according to all accounts it has largely passed away, and though likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution, he will only be in the witness box against his will and as far as he can, will shield his sister. He went from Corvallis to Portland, where he expects to obtain employment. He was to have worked at the same establishment side by side with his brother, George, who was to assist him in learning the business, but the sister’s revolver at the Seattle depot disarranged that plan.

 

 

Corvallis Times 7/20/1906

 

-- Mrs. James Berry and child went to Salem yesterday morning.

 

-- Frank Hurt arrived yesterday from Seattle, and is seeking employment.

 

 

Corvallis Gazette 7/20/1906 p2

 

--Frank Hurt arrived yesterday from Seattle and will remain in Corvallis

 

-- A letter received yesterday afternoon by O. V. Hurt from Attorney Will H. Morris, of Seattle, stated that the latter has decided to take up the defense of Maud Hurt Creffield, in spite of published reports to the contrary.

 

 

Oregon City Enterprise 7/20/1906 p5

Esther Mitchell Worked Here

 

Esther Mitchell, who murdered her brother at Seattle, worked for a number of months at the woolen mills in this city before she rejoined the Holy Roller colony in Waldport, Lincoln County, following the release of Creffield from the state penitentiary. The girl was employed in the tailoring department and is said to have been quite reserved in manner and industrious. She left her place at the mills one noon and never returned. She afterwards wrote from Waldport, asking that a check covering what wages that were due her be sent to her at that place.

 

 

Seattle Post Intelligencer 7/20/1906 p5

To Arraign Esther Mitchell Monday

 

It is probable that Esther Mitchell and Mrs. Maud Creffield will be arraigned before Judge A. W. Frater on the charge of murder in the first degree Monday morning. Prosecuting Attorney Kenneth Mackintosh stated yesterday that he would bring the prisoners into court as soon as possible and Judge Frater has announced that he will hold court on that date.

 

The women have stated they will plead not guilty. The women will elect to be tried separately.

 

 

Daily Oregon Statesman (Salem) 7/20/1906 p2

 

--The Corvallis Times says the name of Creffield will be found up towards the head of the list of the damned in the next world.--Albany Democrat. This is taking an unfair advantage of Creffield, who is dead and can’t reply.

 

--Will Purdy of Newberg makes a statement regarding the Mitchell case which cannot be gain said. If Mitchell was insane, then so is his sister, or if his act was justifiable, so was hers. If he had not committed murder, neither would the girl have committed murder. If the jury had done its duty by Mitchell, the girl would not have murdered him. In truth in neither case does there seem to be absolute justification apparent.

 

--Mrs. Creffield now admits that Holy Rollerism is dead. Pity she did not find it out sooner.

 

 

HEADLINES IN PAPERS FOR THE SAME ARTICLE

 

Oregon Daily Journal (Portland) 7/20/1906 p1

To Sacrifice Oldest Child

Holy Rollers at Monrovia Preparing to Cleanse by Fire Using Offspring as Paschal Lambs of Slaughter.

(Journal Special Service)

 

Seattle Daily Times 7/22/1906 p11

Holy Rollers in California

Sacrifice by Fire Is the Latest Symptom of Fanaticism Which Has Manifested Itself In the Town of Monrovia.

Repeated Rumors Arise That Children Will Be Thus Disposed of Unless Authorities Put a Stop to It.

(Special by The Times Private Pacific Coast Leased Wire.)

 

Los Angeles, July 20.-- Sacrifice by fire is the latest symptom of fanaticism , of which the Holy Rollers have given evidence. Immolation of the oldest children is the program, unless the authorities interfere. This extreme manifestation of religious frenzy has aroused the little town of Monrovia to a degree that Marshal Miller has made it his business to attend the meetings of the sect every afternoon and evening, not knowing in what form the frenzy will break out next.

 

Neighborhood gossip has stirred the townspeople because of the rumors that the eldest children of certain families of the faithful are being segregated to go through an ordeal of purity later to be Paschal lambs of slaughter.

 

A wave of Holy Rollerism has swept along the Pacific Coast, but it remained for Monrovia to reach the radical stage. Two of the best-known adherents of the faith are known to have kept their oldest children locked up at the home for some time, and out of this has grown the story that a sacrifice of children will happen if the authorities do not stop the fanatic element.

 

Last night the sermon of Evangelist Cook advocated self-immolation by fire. He said that it was a Christian’s noblest fate to die by fire, to make himself a living sacrifice to God.

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