The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-02
THE PERSCNATOR OF CHRIST.
HIS CAREER AS A TAILOR AND DIGAMIsT-A
REVELATION IN DARKROOM.

HIS CAREER AS A TAILOR AND DIGAMIsr-A
REVELATION IN A DARKROOM.
BRIDGxros, N. j., Jan. J. 1877.
Since the noted Lands Carruth murder trial nothing
has occurred deeply engage the attention OF the
good people this town the adventures and mys-
tcrious disappearance OF their fellow citizen John
C. Daudt, made famous by hts strange haucinaton OF
being the son of God Tho subject heard all sides
The gossip OF the completes with that
of the principal hotel IN the number OF persons dis
cussng the subject The grocer stops In the act Of
weighing his sugar and recalls 10 his customer the last
time that the dcmentcd Daudt was In his store. The
minister OF the Gospel dnds time between his solemn
intervals TO remember the strange demcanor oil the
man tho OCCASION of hts last attendance ut divine
service Tho telegraph operator regaes you. as he
fingers your message, with interesting "reminiscences
or his former triend and the barberweli the barber
IL iull vi him. II took mo exactly iory minutes TO
get shaved this morning, thrty-two OF which were
wasted by artist ather IN recountiDg the many
his had passed tho iaco Of she noted
lunatc, exhibiting the cup out OF which his lathcr
came and reciting leading subjects about which his
late townsman talked while undergoing tho tonsoral
operation. experienced therefore, but little dlni-
Guilty in obtaining the unfortunate mans history.
pArDr's CAREER AS TAILOR
John c. Duudt WAS born IN Germany aud came TO
Brldgcton from Bethlehem. Pa, where he had 'ro-
sided u long tmc SIX years ago. being then about
forty five years OF age. but appearing TO be more
than thirty years Of age HIS family consisting OF
his wiie and four children, came with him. Soon
after his arrival he opened small taior's shop
side street. but tho enterprise not proving
success he sold out anu obtained employ
lnont as cutter IN tho tailoring establishments
OF Z. c. Grosscup, Laurel street, near Commerce
AS workman no temperate, faithful and efficient,
always punctual anu attentive and thorough master
trade. His conduct as husband and father was
no less incritorous. Prudent and frugal his children
were always neatly dressed ana his home was never
unprov,dcd Tor. But hc had vice which, although II
did not interfere with his efficiency Us workman or
tard attentions 10 his family. made him an object OF
solictudc to church gOcrs. He was exceedingly pro-
tame IN his conversation and but one rcmovcfron
rank atheist. He seemed to delight ~ using hair
HUNG oaths, and religion was 10 nm An arrant hum
bug.
Bethlehem to live in u house owned by him, he re-
naming behind at his trade and sending them remit
Alter their departure be took up his residence
IN Il small boarding house kept ny widow named Ruth
Frazier, who figures later on In this story From
this time until 1875 nothing occurred IN his history to
COULD NOT STAND PROSPERITY.
In December OF that year he asked Tor short vaca
ton order 10 visit New York His employer thought
that his object recreation and readily consented.
Daudt went away and on arriving IN New York pur-
chased lottery ticket 1t drew prize OF 81, 700 Tue
OF bliss and he went on glorious spree,
from the effects of which he awoke with
shattered mind A week later Mr. Grosscup
was much astUn!shed receiving letter from him
explaining his prolonged absence on tho ground that
he had experienced religion When he returned to his
work IN Bridgcton his manner was much changed.
From the prolaning sccptic he had become and
dcvout believer A proanc word would cause him to
shudler, aud he became member OF the Methodist
Church. Nc relaxation, however, took place In his
secular duties aud nothing occurred to indicate shat his
mind the least unsound He became II possible,
more faithful and efficient.
HE coyFEssEs HIS DIVINITY.
One day called upon the Rev. Mr.. Bedding and alb
ruptly asked
..Do you remember the passage which says that God
appeared TO Mosesf"
81 do"
..Do YOU think He could appear agan?"
''Certainiy, II there was OCCASION; but see none
ii saw by this SAID the reverend gentlemen in re-
latng the conversation to me- 'that he laboring
under strong mental excitement SO reasoned with
aud Gained him. but did not tnnk him insane"
on uslomer, Daudt dropped his SHEARS, and placing
his hand upon his employers shoulders. said CALMLY
II am your Lord and Master.
."Nonscnse, John" replied Mr. Grosscup, not know
ing what to make OF the strange assertion 1T Is
who are your MASTER
no." continued the madman, 81 have concealed IL
long enough God appeared to me IN a barroom In
New York; and told me was his son''
..Do YOU not believe meYn he excitediy asked. re-
viewing tho cynical smile his employers face.
sphere, look at my hands, /" ana he held them out.
the prints OF the nails in my feet and behold tho
gaping wounds In my side!" and he would have barred
his breast; but Mr. Grosscup restrained HIM. In u
moment he had resumed his usual calmness and
apoiog zed for MS conduct.
COUNTING WIDOW AND COMMITTING BIGAxy.
About this time. and while his INSANITY becom.
Ing topic OF conversation. he began counting his
knew the woman claiming 10 DO his wife still
living and undivorccd she accepted his hand aud the
par went Philadelphia where they were married.
A TALK WITH WIDOW.
visited this strange woman to-day. She Is tall and
slender, with shrcwd, yet not unpIeasing face. She
has peculiar habit OF looking archly and showing her
teeth Her conversation was c0pious and correct.
Her age Is about thirty-hvc, but, accoutrcd with
f<r
younger.
.Drownedg" she repeated. 'Not he, for he was 90
smart commit suicide I'm sure don't know what
has become OF him, ony hope he VIII not come back
TO Brldscton. for lie made me very miserable"
''Dld | kLow he was married when became his
wiieY Well not exactly. knew he was living with
woman who claimed ~ be his vile and that he had
some children who called him father but he told mo
he was not married and his sister told me- took
him, and Pm sorry for II, you may depend upon II.
Yes you have his picture II you want II. keep
It hid away between others In this album, " and she
picked out photograph concealed between TWO others
and handed II to me.
.Tbe last time saw John Daudt," she resumed,
.swas when had him arrested for threatening me- and
tho last time heard from HIM was last July, when he
was tho Trenton Insane Asylum whore he had been
sent by the government. Oh, but he was a shrewd
one and more crazy than am just this minute
and Mrs. FraZierA that was put on look OF
premc intelligence ~ illustrate her sanity. "He wrote
a letter to nc from the asylum which was u model
What he did claim to be the SAVIOUR II only lasted
minute or two and he was a right again. I'm sure
| DON'T know how he got out OF the Insane asylum. "
The widow concluded by expressing u fcrvent hope
that Mr. Daudt would stay lost
WARNING HENRY BEECHER.
Before being incarccratcd IN the asylum ut Trenton
Daudt visited New York, Phtlndeph other cities
and called upon several ciergymcn, telling them that
he the Messiah, and urging them to prepare their
congregations Tor the terrible 10Th Of May, 1877,
Among others SO warned was Row Henry Ward Beecher
The dclncntej man also waited upon every Clergy
IN Bridgeton and urged them to repentance. When
his insanity became so married as to make him dan.
Pcrous the authorities, NJ the instgaOn OF his brother
who resides IN Philadelphia, placed him IN tho Asy uu.
How lie escaped from there has not been made public
ia detail al yet, telegram from Supernte ndcnt
Ward, that institution, IN response to inquiry,
saying merely that he lett with his daughter He IL
It'll wandering and cews have yet been found as Ia
his present VT crca bouts.
COURT CALENDAES-THIS DAY.