The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-08-01
LOOK OUT FOR AN IMpOsTER.

4 few weeks since our neighboIhood was
greatly excited by the appearance of a s'ran.
ger amongst us calling himself Aqnilla Norman;
stating that he was Missionary Baptist preach.
er-was travelling for his health-ihat he was
out Of money, and would preach if persons
friendly to the cause of religion would contrib !,
ute money for his immediate wants. Some Of
our worthy, unsuspccting citizens were Induced
TO believe him an object Of cbarity-took him
in-he enjoyed their hospitality for several days,
occasionally preaching and receiving contribu.
tions in money;-his conduct in the mean while
was such as to excite suspicion; he cautiously
avoided the members of the church to which
he proiessed to belong; invariably took shelter
with persons of either denominations, some of
whom he grossly insullrd. Notwithstanding
his conduct did no, tally with his profession, it
was currently rumored that great preacher
was in our midst. An appointment having been
made for him at Providence church, many turn.
ed out to hear him. After preaching SER
mon that impressed many with the belief that
he was a man of ordinary mind, he. as usual,
requested the hat TO he taken around for the
'dmes ly it was done-a handsome
sum received and presented to him. One of
our citizens (who had con,riubtedD politely ask.
ed him to 60 home with him and remain during
the night; the preacher then asked him how he
liked his sermon-was answered in a very re-.
spectful manner, well enough, with few ex
cep,ons. The preacher Immediately few into
violent passion, telling our neighbor ne was
no gentleman, and was an Internal scoundrel;
and applying many such opprohrions cpithets,
walked to where he was sitting, shook large
stick over him, threaling to utterly demollsh
hin,-for which he received blow with a stick
across his pate that elled him to the ground
raising bump on his rnrrhead and spelling his
hat Our ncighbor struck him bu, one blow.
which stunned him for while After recov-
ering he still showed desire 10 fight twas
held by several persons-attemped TO get his
knife and threatenedto to kill. After his passion
had somewhat subsidized he seemed disposed to
compromise the matter, and proposed that our
neishbor pay him for his hat, which was prompt
ly declined. He then Immediately left and was
heard of a day or two afterwards near Salem
Observing notice in the Biblical Recorder
the 30lh ult., cautoning the public against
pc: son calling himself AqniI'a Norman, who
pretended to be Baptist minister, and having
reliable Information from Surry county of a
person who attempted to palm himself upon the
people asa Baptis, preacher of the same name,
andanswering the description of the individual
who visited US, leaves not the shavow ofa doubt
upon the minds of,he whole community in this
region that he is a consummate irnposier, and
ono of the rarest specimens of impudence and
insolence that ever disgraced the pulpit. In
person he is very stout, weighs about two hun.
dred pounds; about six feet high--of fair CON.
plexion-is bald and suppose TO be about fifty
years ofage; had on when he Left black dress
coat brown linen panaloons anda panama hat
with hole about two inches long in front. 1t
would be well for the public to look out for him.
J. J. MARTIN.