July 27, 1906: Holy Rollers Seek Home in Wyoming

Seattle Star 7/27/1906 p1

Holy Rollers Seek Home in Wyoming

People Up In Arms And Propose To Give Band Warm Reception When Settlement Comes To Shoshone Reservation.

LANDER, Wyo. July 27.--Great excitement has been caused here by the information that a band of Holy Rollers are about to begin a settlement in the Shoshone reservation, and steps will be taken to prevent their coming. The fanatic propose (illegible) a new town site. The ad-(illegible) of the followers are already in(illegible) the ground, and a second (illegible) contingent are said to be on their way from California and Oregon(illegible).

(illegible) The news of their coming was received and indignation meeting was held, at which conservative citizens vowed that the members of the peculiar sect should not be given a foothold. Hot-headed ones advocated driving them from the district with rifles. Holy Rollers who live on the communistic plan have become unpopular in many western towns and cities by reason of their peculiar religious beliefs.

Corvallis Gazette 7/31/1906 p1

No “Rollers” Wanted

Perhaps Corvallis is better known throughout the United States today through its Holy Roller notoriety than from any other sort of “advertising” that it has ever received. So widespread has been the discussion of this peculiar religion, so-called and disgusted have the people become over what has been published in regard to the orgies carried on by the sect in the past, in Corvallis, that there is no village, town or city but that is familiar with the facts. In this connection the following item in Friday’s Oregonian from Lander Wyoming is of interest in Benton County where Holy Rollerism first appeared:

“Citizens of this town are up in arms against a colony of “Holy Rollers” who are to arrive here tomorrow morning with the idea of registering claims on the Shone reservation and founding a town near this city. It is understood that another colony is on the way from California and Oregon.

“When news of their coming was received, an indignation meeting was held, at which conservative citizens vowed that members of the peculiar sect should not be given a foothold. The hotheaded ones advocated driving them from the district with rifles.”

Corvallis Gazette 7/27/1906 p2

Fired at Random

--”Holy Roller” is the name of a candy offered for sale by local dealers. It is doubtless a seductive confection.