1914
Holy Roller Preacher and Two Illinoisans Accused of Assault
Lad Sustains Broken Arm
Cousin, With Club, Ends Attack After He Is Seriously Injured — Fanatics in Jail Try to Pray the Prison Doors Open
Murphysboro, Ill., Feb. 10. — Noah Hickman lies at the point of death at his home in the foothills of the Ozarks, in Jackson county, as the result of flogging and trampling he suffered when he refused to accept the Holy Roller faith. Dolph Hickman, young Hickman's father, Walter Ellis and Adam Cripps were arrested on the charge of assault. Cripps was released on $500 bond.
Friday night the Holy Rollers held an all-night meeting at the Hickman home. Young Hickman, who is an epileptic, was told that he was possessed of evil spirits, and the Holy Rollers said they would trample the demons out of him.
Cousin Halts Attack
Hickman's father, one of his sisters, Ellis and Cripps bore their victim to the floor after flogging him and trampled on him. He sustained a broken arm, a dislocated shoulder and several internal injuries. The arrival of Tom Hickman, the boy's cousin, with a club ended the attack.
The Holy Rollers have held all-night prayer services at Macedonia, Dutch Ridge, Poplar Ridge and other remote centers in the hills. Some of them have killed off swine and let them die in the woods as things unfit to touch. The district is aroused and will try to stamp out the faith.
The Holy Rollers in the Jonesboro jail are attempting to pray the prison doors open.
Showing posts with label escape. Show all posts
Showing posts with label escape. Show all posts
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Pastor Escapes In Car Wreck
California, 1948
TURLOCK, Aug. 4. -- A car was smashed to pieces yesterday afternoon by a northbound train at the crossing at F Street, but the driver, Rev. A. E. Sabin, pastor of the Pentecostal Church of God, left the vehicle just before it was hit and escaped injury.
Rev. Sabin said the car stalled on the crossing and he was unable to start it. When he saw the train bearing down on him he leaped out, barely in time to escape the crash.
The train, Passenger No. 55, pulled to a stop approximately 100 yards down the track, and was delayed a half hour. It already was 15 minutes late when it reached the crossing.
Officials said the F Street crossing was the scene of the worst train accident in Turlock's history about 10 years ago. A train hit a gasoline truck and killed and injured several people.
--The Modesto Bee and News-Herald, Modesto, California, August 4, 1948, page 5.
TURLOCK, Aug. 4. -- A car was smashed to pieces yesterday afternoon by a northbound train at the crossing at F Street, but the driver, Rev. A. E. Sabin, pastor of the Pentecostal Church of God, left the vehicle just before it was hit and escaped injury.
Rev. Sabin said the car stalled on the crossing and he was unable to start it. When he saw the train bearing down on him he leaped out, barely in time to escape the crash.
The train, Passenger No. 55, pulled to a stop approximately 100 yards down the track, and was delayed a half hour. It already was 15 minutes late when it reached the crossing.
Officials said the F Street crossing was the scene of the worst train accident in Turlock's history about 10 years ago. A train hit a gasoline truck and killed and injured several people.
--The Modesto Bee and News-Herald, Modesto, California, August 4, 1948, page 5.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
All Seven Devils Cast Out of Bertha, Declares Preacher
1913
OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 13. — The Rev. Charles W. Savidge, a local free lance preacher, claims to have cast out seven devils from Bertha Liebke, known to the criminal authorities of the central west as "Fainting Bertha," notorious shoplifter, robber and petty larceny thief.
Bertha recently was released from an asylum for the criminal insane and was about to be re-committed on account of having stolen a quantity of jewelry at a local hotel when the preacher offered to take charge of her and cure her of her criminal tendencies. She was turned over to him by the state authorities who are not over anxious to house Bertha in any of the state institutions, as she always makes a great deal of trouble and has several times assaulted her keepers and guards.
The minister and a half dozen of his parishioners fasted all day, spending the time praying in the church. Bertha was with them and prayed and fasted too.
"It'll starve the devils out of you," declared the minister. "Fainting Bertha" consented. After twelve hours of continuing fasting and praying, the Rev. Mr. Savidge announced that the devils had been put to rout, and that the notorious shoplifter would steal no more. She is now preparing for evangelistic work.
Once before, several years ago, Mr. Savidge attempted to cast the devils from Bertha, but she escaped from her benefactor and was arrested several hours later for "lifting" a watch.
—Lincoln Daily News, Lincoln, Nebraska, November 13, 1913, page 8.
"Fainting Bertha" Confesses Theft
Famous Woman Convict Admits Taking Property From Stores
Omaha, Neb., Nov. 19.—Conscience stricken because of thefts committed since her release from Ingleside hospital of the Hastings insane asylum, "Fainting Bertha" Liebke, famous female convict, spent the hours of Monday and far into the night on her knees pleading for forgiveness and praying for strength to become a better woman. By her side was the Rev. Charles W. Savidge and members of his little congregation, who added their prayers to those of the repentant woman.
The revelation of the robberies came as a surprise to the police and to the stores that were victims of the woman's operations. "Fainting Bertha" has confessed to taking a large assortment of combs, jackets, grips and other articles from many Omaha stores. Rev. Savidge, who has acted as sponsor for Miss Liebke, declares that the thefts must have occurred between the time that the woman arrived in Omaha and when he took charge of her, for, he says, she has had no opportunity to ply her old trade since going to the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Allen Davis, where she is staying.
Not to be Prosecuted.
Rev. Savidge will request the managers of the stores victimized by "Fainting Bertha" to refrain from prosecution and Superintendent Redmond, of the Brandeis firm, one of the losers, sent word yesterday that his company would take no action in the matter.
"I am convinced that Miss Liebke really wants to be a good woman and I think that her confession of the thefts is an evidence of good faith, because no one knew of them," said the Rev. Mr. Savidge. "She was confined to her bed all day yesterday as a result of her emotions Monday, but as soon as she is strong enough we will accompany her to the stores from where the goods were taken and every article will be returned."
—The Lincoln Daily Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, November 19, 1913, page 8.
Fainting Bertha Takes Out License to Sell Life Story
Fainting Bertha was brought to the city hall late Saturday afternoon by a policeman and there she took out a license to peddle the history of her life. She had been found selling the history on the street without license. She took out a license for one week.
Fainting Bertha did not know Chief Malone. Turning to city officers about her she inquired if Chief Malone would arrest her. Just then the chief stepped up. Someone told her of his presence. She extended her hand to Mr. Malone.
"I have quit my old life," she assured the chief. "I have left it for good. If you people will just help me by buying this history. It is real interesting." One of the city commissioners passed her out a dollar bill and took a copy of the story
—The Lincoln Daily Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, December 28, 1913, page 2.
"Fainting Bertha" Played Mean Joke on Omaha Police
(Special to The Star.)
Omaha, Neb., Feb. 2 — "Fainting Bertha" Liebecke took no poison. So the police learned Monday after using a stomach pump and administering antidotes. She was faking again, at which business she is famous the country over. Police, detectives and sheriffs have been fooled time and time again by her, and this was another time. Desk Captain W. K. Marshall laughed when he heard what the city physician had to say, declaring he always thought she was faking. He explained that she had some strychnine when he brought her to jail, but he had taken it away from her. Her pitiful farewell note fooled the doctors, and they gave the sympathy she was after. She is suffering from the attempt to set her clothes on fire, but otherwise is all right.
—The Lincoln Daily Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, February 2, 1915, page 8.
Prisoner Scales the Fire Escape
1918
"Fainting Bertha" Makes Getaway From Asylum But Is Soon Captured
"Fainting Bertha" Liebbecke escaped for the 'steenth time early Wednesday morning from the Lincoln asylum but was picked up about 11 o'clock by the police and again returned to the institution.
This noted woman prisoner lived up to her nation-wide reputation as an accomplished pick-pocket by gaining possession of a fire escape key which enabled to make her getaway, Superintendent Pillsbury reported.
The prisoner had secretly stolen the key from a nurse, it was said, and while the nurse in charge of Fainting Bertha's ward was at breakfast, the inmate went to another ward, tore away a window screen and crawled down the fire escape.
She came to the city on a street car and got off at Ninth and P streets. This was about 7:30 a.m.
After a few hour's search the police picked her up near Ninth and T streets. She had a dollar in dimes and nickels and officers believed the woman had been making a house to house canvass begging.
She was in jovial spirits when Officer Snyder escorted her to police headquarters. She chided with the officers and seemed very happy.
Fainting Bertha was brought back to the Lincoln institution a few months ago for violating her parole from the penitentiary. She is under an indeterminate sentence for an offense committed in Lincoln. She was brought back from Omaha where she had played the "fainting" game and robbed guests at a hotel.
She escaped from the asylum about two weeks ago and was found in Lincoln and returned.
—The Lincoln Daily Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, January 23, 1918, page 15.
Note: I left the various spellings of Fainting Bertha's last name. At this link there's lots more about Rev. Savidge, looks like a book he wrote.
OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 13. — The Rev. Charles W. Savidge, a local free lance preacher, claims to have cast out seven devils from Bertha Liebke, known to the criminal authorities of the central west as "Fainting Bertha," notorious shoplifter, robber and petty larceny thief.
Bertha recently was released from an asylum for the criminal insane and was about to be re-committed on account of having stolen a quantity of jewelry at a local hotel when the preacher offered to take charge of her and cure her of her criminal tendencies. She was turned over to him by the state authorities who are not over anxious to house Bertha in any of the state institutions, as she always makes a great deal of trouble and has several times assaulted her keepers and guards.
The minister and a half dozen of his parishioners fasted all day, spending the time praying in the church. Bertha was with them and prayed and fasted too.
"It'll starve the devils out of you," declared the minister. "Fainting Bertha" consented. After twelve hours of continuing fasting and praying, the Rev. Mr. Savidge announced that the devils had been put to rout, and that the notorious shoplifter would steal no more. She is now preparing for evangelistic work.
Once before, several years ago, Mr. Savidge attempted to cast the devils from Bertha, but she escaped from her benefactor and was arrested several hours later for "lifting" a watch.
—Lincoln Daily News, Lincoln, Nebraska, November 13, 1913, page 8.
"Fainting Bertha" Confesses Theft
Famous Woman Convict Admits Taking Property From Stores
Omaha, Neb., Nov. 19.—Conscience stricken because of thefts committed since her release from Ingleside hospital of the Hastings insane asylum, "Fainting Bertha" Liebke, famous female convict, spent the hours of Monday and far into the night on her knees pleading for forgiveness and praying for strength to become a better woman. By her side was the Rev. Charles W. Savidge and members of his little congregation, who added their prayers to those of the repentant woman.
The revelation of the robberies came as a surprise to the police and to the stores that were victims of the woman's operations. "Fainting Bertha" has confessed to taking a large assortment of combs, jackets, grips and other articles from many Omaha stores. Rev. Savidge, who has acted as sponsor for Miss Liebke, declares that the thefts must have occurred between the time that the woman arrived in Omaha and when he took charge of her, for, he says, she has had no opportunity to ply her old trade since going to the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Allen Davis, where she is staying.
Not to be Prosecuted.
Rev. Savidge will request the managers of the stores victimized by "Fainting Bertha" to refrain from prosecution and Superintendent Redmond, of the Brandeis firm, one of the losers, sent word yesterday that his company would take no action in the matter.
"I am convinced that Miss Liebke really wants to be a good woman and I think that her confession of the thefts is an evidence of good faith, because no one knew of them," said the Rev. Mr. Savidge. "She was confined to her bed all day yesterday as a result of her emotions Monday, but as soon as she is strong enough we will accompany her to the stores from where the goods were taken and every article will be returned."
—The Lincoln Daily Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, November 19, 1913, page 8.
Fainting Bertha Takes Out License to Sell Life Story
Fainting Bertha was brought to the city hall late Saturday afternoon by a policeman and there she took out a license to peddle the history of her life. She had been found selling the history on the street without license. She took out a license for one week.
Fainting Bertha did not know Chief Malone. Turning to city officers about her she inquired if Chief Malone would arrest her. Just then the chief stepped up. Someone told her of his presence. She extended her hand to Mr. Malone.
"I have quit my old life," she assured the chief. "I have left it for good. If you people will just help me by buying this history. It is real interesting." One of the city commissioners passed her out a dollar bill and took a copy of the story
—The Lincoln Daily Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, December 28, 1913, page 2.
"Fainting Bertha" Played Mean Joke on Omaha Police
(Special to The Star.)
Omaha, Neb., Feb. 2 — "Fainting Bertha" Liebecke took no poison. So the police learned Monday after using a stomach pump and administering antidotes. She was faking again, at which business she is famous the country over. Police, detectives and sheriffs have been fooled time and time again by her, and this was another time. Desk Captain W. K. Marshall laughed when he heard what the city physician had to say, declaring he always thought she was faking. He explained that she had some strychnine when he brought her to jail, but he had taken it away from her. Her pitiful farewell note fooled the doctors, and they gave the sympathy she was after. She is suffering from the attempt to set her clothes on fire, but otherwise is all right.
—The Lincoln Daily Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, February 2, 1915, page 8.
Prisoner Scales the Fire Escape
1918
"Fainting Bertha" Makes Getaway From Asylum But Is Soon Captured
"Fainting Bertha" Liebbecke escaped for the 'steenth time early Wednesday morning from the Lincoln asylum but was picked up about 11 o'clock by the police and again returned to the institution.
This noted woman prisoner lived up to her nation-wide reputation as an accomplished pick-pocket by gaining possession of a fire escape key which enabled to make her getaway, Superintendent Pillsbury reported.
The prisoner had secretly stolen the key from a nurse, it was said, and while the nurse in charge of Fainting Bertha's ward was at breakfast, the inmate went to another ward, tore away a window screen and crawled down the fire escape.
She came to the city on a street car and got off at Ninth and P streets. This was about 7:30 a.m.
After a few hour's search the police picked her up near Ninth and T streets. She had a dollar in dimes and nickels and officers believed the woman had been making a house to house canvass begging.
She was in jovial spirits when Officer Snyder escorted her to police headquarters. She chided with the officers and seemed very happy.
Fainting Bertha was brought back to the Lincoln institution a few months ago for violating her parole from the penitentiary. She is under an indeterminate sentence for an offense committed in Lincoln. She was brought back from Omaha where she had played the "fainting" game and robbed guests at a hotel.
She escaped from the asylum about two weeks ago and was found in Lincoln and returned.
—The Lincoln Daily Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, January 23, 1918, page 15.
Note: I left the various spellings of Fainting Bertha's last name. At this link there's lots more about Rev. Savidge, looks like a book he wrote.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Ship's Boy Gets Sacred Black Cat from Hindu Temple
1912
SHIP'S BOY GETS SACRED BLACK CAT
Strays Into Hindoo Temple at Bombay and Escapes with Life and Feline.
SOMETHING HIT HIM
Daring Apprentice of Tramp Steamer Who Went in Search of Adventure at an Indian Port Had Plenty of Excitement
Philadelphia.—A daring apprentice who had the audacity to steal into a Hindoo temple and kidnap a sacred cat is the tale that a tramp steamer brings to this port.
The apprentice, Albert Berrige, passed behind the veil of one of the most sacred temples of the Hindoos in Bombay, saw with his Caucasian eyes the great idols and returned to the outer world with the sacred cat. The cat once bore, no doubt, a strange Indian name, but since joining the tramp ship the sacred feline has been dubbed Tommy. Tommy is as black as the conscience of a bigamist and is not very different from other cats. Black cats bring good luck to ships that plough the seven seas, so Tommy is held in great esteem. While Berrige's ship swung at her anchor off "The City of the Dreadful Night," as Kipling has called Bombay, the towering domes of the Hindoo temples kindled Albert's imagination, and he chafed at the bit until he had obtained shore leave.
"Be back by sundown, young man," ordered the captain as the apprentice went over the side about midday. There was so much to interest Albert that he forgot altogether the captain's injunction to be back by sundown. Darkness had enveloped the city when Albert reached one of the Hindoo temples, probably the most sacred in all Bombay.
"It was all dark and scary in that temple," said the apprentice in telling of his adventure. "There were big pillars all round with the most scary looking carvings you ever saw. I got behind one of these pillars all by myself and tried to see what was going on. Away off in the distance I saw some lights burning in front of a row of big idols that looked like huge monkeys. The Hindoos who were coming into the temple were making their way toward those idols, bowing and sort of sing-songing. They were so busy in their worship of the big gilded monkeys and things that they would not have seen me if I had been on fire.
"I was so encouraged by my success in getting to the front, near the big show, that I kept on the move through the dark. Suddenly, as I tiptoed along, I put my foot down on something soft. The next thing I knew there came a yowl and screech that made my backbone feel as though a bolt of lightning was running up and down it. The sing-song and the moaning had ceased. There was absolute silence for a moment.
"Suddenly I felt something hit me in the middle of the back. Then I felt sharp claws digging into my hide. The next instant I was traveling like a meteor toward the temple entrance and every manjack of these Hindoos in pursuit.
"When I reached the door two husky Hindoos jumped in front of me. I lowered my head and struck one of them amidships. He went down with a gulp like a man swallowing his adam's apple. I dodged the other fellow and jumped and half tumbled down the steps from the temple doorway. When I hit the street I kept up my running. The Hindoos were soon distanced. I must have run for a mile with that cat clawing at my spinal column. Then when I got up a dark street I stopped and tried to dislodge the cat. I finally had to take off my coat to get the beast to release his claws.
"When I got Mr. Cat into my arms he was as docile as you please and purred in real cat fashion. So I says to myself, 'It's a black cat and that means good luck, so I'll take him on board.' I had some explaining why I was so late, but I had the cat to prove my adventure in the temple and the old man let it go at that."
—Stevens Point Daily Journal, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, October 21, 1912, page 3.
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