The New York herald., 1877-11-20
THE MESSIAH PERSONATOR
John C. Daudt Reappears in a Cell in
the TOmbS.
A MYSTERIOUS FLIGHT EXPLAINED.
His WandrringS and Faslngs-llOW the
Hallucinati0n Began.

call to MUD series OF articles appeared In these
about year ago narratng the strange adven.
lures OF an unfortunate who believed himself the
Son OF Cod and who travelled from place 10 place ex-
hortng sinners 10 repentance and predicting lerroio
visitation from on hgn. More than ordinary interest
was manilescd the recital because oil the sudden
and mysterious disappearance OF the man. On cold
clustering day In December last he was seen walking
along the banks oil the Kill Won Kul at New Brighton,
Staten Island The sky was overcast ana the long
threatened storm was about to break. Ihe wind was
fierce and biting When opposite Inc cottage oil Mr.
Pelton he diyested himself OF his overcoa carefully
laid IL on the stone fence near by and continued on
his journey with increased speed. The strange act
WINS Witnessed by Mr.. Pelton, who Immediately
hurried after the man, but he had disappeared Tho
police we're promptly notified and Tor days the village
and the surrounding woods were thoroughly searched
but no traces OF him could be found Various theories
of his disappearance were afoat Referring to tho
same the HERALD at the time contained the follow
ing
The theory that the unfortunate man is still wan
derng through the country is entertained by many OF
tie citizens oi Port Richmond, who argue that had
be stopped inn private house the occupants,
detecting his insanity, would before this havc notified
the police aud they advance support OF this belief
his statement 10 the barber that he had not had n
place lay his head for i've days. Believing
he followed HIS divine example. 1t is feared, how
ever, that If such Is the he has already
perished from cold starvation. There many who
believe that he committed suicide by throwing him
self the river but this the police combat by say
ing that his body In such would Deoro this have
been discovered. His dvestng himself OF his coat and
hurrying along the rivers bank give color to the
suicide theory. Tho dread that the dictated lunatc has
been the victim OF foul play finds harbor In not a
fev m nd n Ia
OF u considerable sum Of money, wnich he frequently
displayed. Did some hend lure MN INTO tho woods
and murder him for his money! He has not lett
Staten Island else the police would know II their
vigilance amounts TO anything Whatever late has
beialcn the ptiablc creature IL is certain tnat the
residents OF West New Brighton and Port Richmond
will leave stone unturned TO find traces OF him."
All efforts, however, proved iutile NO traces OF
ahim living or dead could be dscovered; but hand
kerchei some papers 10 the abandoned overcoat
revealed a clew identity. He was found TO DO
John G. Daudt a tailor OF Briugeton, N. J.
Tho coat had been purchased by him only
house s% where Oee's s asonshed The clerks by SOY
emny announcing himself as the Saviour OF mankind,
come to earth Tor the second time his manner was
calm and dgnihed In all else save the one assertion
he rational as the most evenly balanced HIS
conversation was Tree and enlightened. Many who
had him IN Ia IS wanderings previously bore test
mopy his entire sanity on all other subjects For
weeks the search kept up Rewards were offered
by his afflicted family, but they produced no effect
Tne police both OF staten Island and New York gave
up the job MS u ruitless one
FOUND AT LAST
Yesterday he found. After eleven months OF
wandering he brought up in the TomDs Police Court,
whittier he had been conveyed by officer the
complaint the proprietor OF the Dey street Hotel,
who testified that he believed him to DO insane.
Daud had been stopping at the hotel Tor week past
His only irregularities we're his mission ana MIS-
failure TO pay his biils.
The writer visited Dau4t e his cell in the Tombs
yesterday afternoon he mad Just fallen INTO sleep
but in obedience to call he and expressed a
Willingness 10 converse. In appearance Daudt IS
about nifty years Of age, large and muscular. with clear,
expressive eyes and quiet demesnoE His manner
OF conversation IS deliberate, his words are well
impressive, anu he talks with reasoning
power that In view OF his hallucInation 10 remark
able.
.'Let us get near the stove," he said rubbing hands
to take OF the cnl and III talk to you with pleasure
Here sit down this bench It's right comfortable
here. Now, then, wnat can l do for you"
eTell me where You disappeared 10 on that cold day
in December last when you took oil your and
placed It on the stone fence IN West New Brghton?'
said the reporter; .and first, what was your object
In throwing away your coal? You remember the day
exceed ngy cold"
..Ah yes indeed. | remember 1t well. You see
was being followed by detectives They thought mo
relgiously insane and wanted to escape from them.
had run until was exhausted. SO TO enable me TO
get along faster | nuDg away my overcoaI 1t also
threw them OH my track, you see Well, went along
the rIyer's bank some little distance, when, seeing a
man hurrying after me, | hid behind fence. Hc
passed me The coast again clear | proceeded on my
quIctly took the ferrybo aud came 10 New York
here remained two weeks, quietly working my MIS-
SION"
CARED ME-
ssfiow did you manage to iivey'
reverentiy II never wanted Tor ood or clothing. 1
had money and needed none. Up aud down tho
streets OF New York wandered night and day getting
bite 10 cat here and there IRON charitable persons
When cold | would enter house store and
ask permission 10 warm myself by the lire Tor
few minutes Then wouid resume my mission.
remained in New York about iour weeks, when
to a friend Philadelphia Tor SO, which
owed He sent the money and went there,
where stayed lcr four weeks, dong the work of my
Father From there went 10 stroudsburg, then 10
Bethlehem, Pa Again | went to Philadelphia and
the one object-my mission. la Philadelphia my Father
toid me must ABSTAIN iro food Tor -our days
and did IT, lin his previous investigation the re-
porter learned t1at while Daudt was IN the Trenton
Insane Asy ium he once refused Tor several days 10
lake food, and the physciaus wore obliged TO ofce
liquids down his throat keep him from starvationI
THINGS POSSIBLE.
'sBut how could you have lived Tor 50 long time
Without food ~ asked the reporter, doGbtIngy.
"a don't ask you to believe anything am used
beng dlscredlted," said Daudt But let mo tell
'ou that to God al things are possible. And here
nav say that II you think me insane We might as we'll
top this couversatiouo =
The reporter hastened 10 assure him that his man
icr certainly did not denote insanity, wIercupon he
continued
IL know what Pm saying. rational
was man. Sceptics call me insane, but depend upon
II AN not. ihcv my wife and others put me in The
1Isane Asylum in Trenton, but IL piracy to
get my properly. She snail rue IT, never fear"
"When dd you arst start on your mission ~ asked
the writor.
III il a long story, but III tell you the principal
points, and they are gospel truths"
LOTTERY LUCK.
cups store IN Bridgetou, y. j. had dream 10 play
certain numbers IN lottery. ! WAS tncn, The
HERALD truly stated year npo--or the o.
ports--an irfeglous fellow. Nothing sacred In
my eyes took advantage OF the dream and played.
The result that won aOout u, ,00J (tbls tact
stated by his employer during tho previ-
investigation, so lar. mt least, as the win.
ming was concerncdl With the money | came
10 New York 4 vacation. Well, one night, IL VAS
the sth OF March. shall never forget the datc,
sat ~ the LOBBY Of frencts Hotel man oi about my
nge took beside Presc Dtly no began
convcrsation We talked OF the weather, OF billiards
ana other matters. soon he commenced talking
ABOUT his home 10 PeDnsyIyanIa, aud hc miuutcy de-
scriUed my nome, larm, IamIiy ana everything l
looked at him ia astonlshmenL As the talk pro.
grcssed fot my sympathy warming toward him.
renembe saying.
''You seem To be almost myself. Your sentiments
and NINE much alike that bet can tell for
whom YOU voted IN 1901
swell. lcll,p SAID ne, with smile.
'for Douglas, answered.
..fhsts right" he replied
Alter couple oil hours OF friendly chat ho took his
,eaye.
THE CALL PROM PROVIDENCE