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.
September 13, 1906: Esther Mitchell Objects to Help
Seattle Post Intelligencer 9/13/1906 p1
Esther Mitchell Objects to Help
Examination of Slayers of Geo. Mitchell on Insanity Charge Begun. Case
Continue Today. Witnesses Tell of Behavior of the
Women Before the Tragedy.
“I don’t want any of you to
do anything for me. I don’t care whether they hang me or not, and I don’t want
the impression to go to the world that I am insane. I did a good deed, and I
want the world to know it.”
With these words Esther
Mitchell being examined with Mrs. Maud Creffield in Judge Frater’s department
of the superior court on a charge of insanity, dismissed her brothers, Fred and
Perry, who had sought an interview with her during the examination of witnesses
late in the afternoon. There was no anger in the remark, and though the
brothers were in tears the young girl stood unconcerned and half smiling up at
them as she made the statement. Then she turned away and joined Mrs. Creffield
in her seat. W. T. Gardner, superintendent of the Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society
home at Portland, who has been called as a witness and who had charge of the
girl for a number of months, was present at the time the statements were made.
The hearing of the two prisoners, charged with the murder of
George Mitchell, but now being examined as to their sanity, began in the
superior court yesterday morning. Drs. Kenneth Turner, J. H. Snively and R. M.
Ames are conducting the examination before Judge Frater. Prior to the opening
of the examination a conference was held in the court’s private chambers
between the attorneys and the physicians relative to the fitness of the
physician’s to act, it being argued by the state’s attorneys that they might be
prejudiced in the matter. Prosecuting Attorney Mackintosh, with his deputy,
John F. Miller, are in attendance for the state, and Mr. Baxter, of the firm of
Baxter & Wilson, and Attorney Holzheimer, of this city, with Attorney
Clark, of Portland, for the prosecution, but up to this time they have taken no
active part in the examination, although they are allowed the right to do so if
they desire.
HEARING IS CONTINUED
The hearing will continue
today, and it is not expected that a return of the findings of the commission
will be made until tomorrow. Last night, Mr. Holzheimer sent a telegram to
Corvallis requesting that Mrs. O. v. Hurt, the mother of Mrs. Creffield, be
brought to the city at once, if it is possible, and if not for the family
physician to be sent here to act as a witness. The attorneys for the two women
are very anxious that Mrs. Hurt be present.
Among the witnesses examined
yesterday morning and afternoon perhaps those who attracted the most interest
were James Berry and Frank Hurt, the brother of Mrs. Creffield. Berry refused
to speak until taken in private, and then he gave the reason for the refusal
that at the time, Mrs. Creffield, then Maud, associated herself with the “Holy
Rollers,” and for a time after that he was engaged to be married to her. He
told of her actions before and after the religion had secured a firm hold on
her, and of his giving her up when she finally became associated with Creffield.
He declared she was always very devout, but that she never acted peculiar until
becoming a radical member of the Holy Roller church. He declared that for some
time before she became a member of the organization she had suffered
considerably from nervous troubles.
Telling of her actions after
she joined the band, the witness said she had often been known to fast for
three days at a time and did anything that came into her mind, saying that she
had received a message from the Lord to do so. On one occasion, he says, she
ran into a crowded dining room and knelt down in the middle of the floor,
praying for the salvation of those present. Berry admitted that for a time he
himself was interested in the Holy Roller church, but that he left when the
teachings became so radical under Creffield. He expressed the firm belief that
both of the women are insane and have been since they entered the Holy Roller
church.
Considerable time was spent
with frank Hurt by the physicians in trying to discover the official positions
and standing of Mrs. Creffield and Esther Mitchell in the church, but though he
declared that he had been a member up to the time of the killing of Creffield
he appeared to know little of the workings of the organization.
FRANK HURT ON STAND
Hurt said that while he
believed in the practices carried on by the members of the church at the time
he was one of them, he denounced their actions now. He made no statement as to
his opinion regarding the sanity of the women, and it was almost impossible to
get any direct statement from him.
The first witness called was
O. V. Hurt, the father of Mrs. Creffield. He told, in answer to questions put
to him, of the actions of his daughter before entering the Holy Roller church.
According to his story, the girl was healthy and normal as a child, but that
when she was 22 years old she was sent to the asylum for the insane at Salem,
Or., for six months. He declared that her condition
was brought about at that time by the teachings of the “Holy Roller” church.
Prior to this, he said, she was always of a religious turn of mind and
generally took up with every new creed that presented itself. While in the
asylum her condition was such that it was necessary to keep her in a straight
jacket and oftentimes tied in her bed or chair. At that time the girl’s mother
was also confined in the same institution, and while the latter was formally
discharged the daughter never was, but was allowed to return to her home on
probation. He expressed his opinion that both of the women are insane and have
been for some years, and that his daughter was never cured at the time she left
the asylum.
SUPERINTENDENT GARDNER
TESTIFIES
Superintendent Gardner, of
the Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society home at Portland, as well as Mary J. Graham,
the matron of the institution, were examined regarding the actions of Esther
Mitchell when she was confined there some three years ago for a period of six
months. Both of their stories were practically the same and were to the effect
that, in their opinion, the girl was insane when she was taken into the home.
They declared she refused to mingle with anyone, that some days she refused to
work and would spend the time in prayer; that oftentimes during the night she
would get up from her bed and pray on the floor or would go to the matron or
one of the children and say that she had a message from the Lord to do
something; that she was always melancholy and showed plainly a religious mania.
A letter was introduced in evidence which went to show
the condition of the girl’s mind at the time and the hold the religious
teachings had upon her. In the letter the girl speaks of her brothers, of
“Joshua,” as Creffield was called, and of “all the saints.”
Only a short preliminary
examination was given the women and the questions put to them were principally
upon their ages, schooling and state of health. Both of the prisoners appeared
in the court room neatly dressed and for a time during
the preliminary conference smiled and talked with those who approached them. they were guarded by two deputies. During the examination
they were stolid and spoke in low tones.
NEW WITNESS COMING
During the intermission
between the afternoon and evening session a telegram was received from Mrs.
Hurt, at Corvallis, stating that she will leave at once for this city and will
probably arrive here this afternoon.
Only two witnesses were
examined at the session of the commission last night--Perry Mitchell, brother
of Esther, and Police Matron Kelly, who had charge of the women after their arrest
following the murder of George Mitchell.
Mitchell stated that he
believes Esther was insane at the time she shot her brother, and that in his
opinion she had been insane since first coming under the influence of
Creffield. He said that during the time that the girl had been in the East with
her father, in 1903, she had gradually gotten over her religious frenzy, but
that upon returning to this state again and falling in with the Holy Rollers
she again took up her old ways.
He declared that she was taken
to the Boys’ and Girls’ Home at Portland, because her relatives feared that if
she was not removed from the influence of her former associates she would have
to be sent to the state asylum. He told of the condition of the girl before she
met with the Creffield followers, and said at that time she was normal and
altogether different from the person she afterwards became.
MEETINGS WERE SECRET
In speaking of the meetings
held by the Holy Rollers, he stated that after they had been conducted for some
time outsiders were refused admittance, and he held that this was due to a
great extent to the fact that the followers felt that they were being
persecuted and looked with suspicion on everyone, especially the members of
their own families.
As to former traces of
peculiarities in his family the young man said his father had been a religious
and political crank for years and had a quick temper. Following these
statements, Mitchell gave a recital of the occurrences at the Union depot, when
his brother met his death.
EXAMINATION ENDS TODAY
Matron Kelly was then
examined by the commission in regard to the personal habits and bearing of the
women after their (illegible). Neither (illegible)
(illegible) (illegible) (illegible) from statements formerly given by other witnesses, was learned from her.
The session of the board
today will be called at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Fred Mitchell will be the
first witness called and he will be followed by Mrs. Hurt as soon as she arrives. No other witnesses with the possible exception of the
Hurt family physician, will be examined unless new
ones are found before the time set for the next session. The commission hopes
to conclude its work today, but in order to do this it may be found necessary
to hold a second night session.
Attorneys for the defense declare that if the commission finds the women insane they will be returned to Oregon, where they hold citizenship, as this is the law in such cases. According to testimony introduced yesterday Mrs. Creffield was not formally discharged from the asylum at Salem and she can be returned there in the opinion of the attorneys. The most interesting part of the proceedings will probably be tonight, when the final examination of the women will be made. This, the members of the commission say, will be thorough and exhaustive.
Chapter of Holy Rollers where these articles are some of the sources:
Chapter 28: Insanity?
***
September 12, 1906: Hurt Thinks His Daughter Insane
September 14, 1906: Women Not Agitated
***
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)