Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-01-26
A MINISTER ON TRIAL.
Rev. j 6, Armstrong, Pastor Of At
lanta's High Toned House Of
God, to Stand a Trial.
Immoral ReyeIry and Conduct unbe,
coming to a Minister Of the
Gospel, the Charges.
What the Noted Divine Has to say in His
own Defensc-Is This Man wilkes
Booth, the Assassing



ATLANTA, Ga, Jan. Is The trial of
the Rev j. G. Armstrong, which begins
here tomorrow, win be OF moro than
usual interest. The charges against Mr.
Armstrong are "immoral revelyp and
"conduet unheeoming to a minister OF the
Gospeln
Some years ago there appeared in
Wheeling, w Va, a man who said he had
been educated in ST. Louis BY rich
uncle, who wanted him to become a
Presbyterian minister. This did not suit
him, and he became an Eplscopalian.
When he came TO Wheeling he preached
several times on trial, and was finally SCI
cured as pastor of the Episcopal church
there. He was known as the
REV JAMES g, ARMSTRONG.
In appearance he was remarkable man.
and at this time--early IN lSG8--he
possessed manner that many OF his
congregation thought was entirely
too theatrical newspaper man In
Wheeling named Mann conceived the
idea al that time that Armstrong was
none other than the celebrated Wilkes
Booth, who was reported to have died the
year previously. Tho witnesses who de-
clared they saw Booths death, Mr.. Mann
believed, had been deceived. The
Rev. Mr.. Armstrong was Just about
Booths age. He had long, glossy hair of
raven hue that fell over his neck. His head
was OF the same shape as Booths; he
limped and had scar on the back
OF his neck, and Mr.. Mann came 10 the
conclusion that II Mr.. Armstrong was not
Booth 1t was the most remarkable of CO.
medicines. In 1866 Mr.. Armstrong mar
ried. His wife was lady of great
culture and refinement, and lovely
daughter, Miriam, was born to them.
Mr. Armstrong left Wheeling and went
TO Richmond TO accept the pastorate OF
the aristocratic "Monu mental church, in
that city. Here his striking
RESEMBLANCE TO BooTH
was commented on, for Booths face was
q familiar one in Richmond One day while
Mr.. Armstrong was at home a gentleman
came TO the reotory and was ushered into
the library. In a manner pregnant with
Importance and secresy he asked Mr..
Armstrong to grant him private inter
view. The request was compiled with
and the stranger at once said:
"You are Wilkes Booth, the assassin
knew you the moment saw you. You
need not deny it, for you cannot deceive
me. am friend and will not betray
your secret. was in thorough sympathy
with the Lost Cause :"
Mr.. Armstrong was very much discon.
certed by the mans excited manner and
he endeavored TO explain that the
resemblance was only the results OF the
VISITORS imagination. But the more he ex-
planned the more the man declared he was
Booth until finally Mr.. Armstrong had TO
summon the police TO get rid Of his UNI
pleasant visitor.
When the Rev. X. G. Foute left Atlanta
Mr.. Armstrong came on to this city and
took charge OF St. Philips church, on
Washington street, one Of the high toned
avenues OF Atlanta His fame had pre-
coded him and he became at once
a SOCIAL LION
and was welcomed into the most ex-
elusive circles His wife and
daughter were highly accomplished and
Miss Miriam soon became great society
fayorite.
Last September Mr.. Armstrong left At
lanta to take trip North. He spent
some weeks away from home and re-
turned home by way of Cincinnati. While
he was in that city he was met face TO
face by Mr.. Mann of Wheeling, who in
stantly recognized Mr.. Armstrong. Mann
was employed as u reporter for one OF the
Cincinnati afternoon papers and
NOTICING SOMETHING PECULIAR
in Mr.. Armstrong; manner he came u
the conclusion that the clergyman
was slightly uncer the influence OF intoyl.
cants, and that he had started out Ia
'paint the town red" AS this promised
raey sensation Mann followed the
clergyman, and in the papers next morn
ing was full account of the reverend
gentleman's wanderings, giving the names
of seven or eight houses Of III fame he had
visited during the evening, together will
other details which Will appear, probably,
at the trial. Copies Of the paper reached
Atlanta, and the city was thrown
INTO A TUMULT or EXCITEMENT.
Copies of the journal containing the
scandalous story sold at fabulous prices
and people focked TO the various news.
stands to buy. 1t was the sensation oi
the hour. The vestry Of ST. Philips held
q meeting, and committee was APP
pointed TO go at once Co Cincinnati aud
inquire into the matter. This was done
and the special committee nled report
exonerating Mr. Armstrong from all
blame, but the clergyman demanded q
trial before the bishop, and his request
was acceded TO.
The story Mr.. Armstrong tells is quite
as remarkable as any part OF this whole
remarkable case. His defense, II is
understood, will be that he had
been 10 dinner with friend, and
while there had taken glass or
two of wine, as was his usual custom
after dinner. He had learned that the
daughter of very dear friend, who lives
in Canada, was then stopping at house
of ill-fame in Cincinnati, and he deter
mined 10 seek her out and try II he
could not induce her 70 return 10 q life OF
rectitude and virtue. To this end he
hired carriage and visited
SEVERAL BAGNIOs or REPUTATION,
but not until he had gone TO eight or
nine did be lnd the object Of his
search. After long talk with her he
succeeded Ia showing her the sin
fulness and error Of her ways