The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-02-02
s'ImmOral Revelry."
News and Courier.l

than usual interest. The charges against
Mr.. Armstrong are 'immoral revclry;'
and s'conduct unbccomiLg to minister
Of the gospel
THE PREACHERs HISTORY.
Some years ago there appeared in
Wheeling, w. Va, man who said he
had been educated in st. Louis by rich
uncle. who wanted him to become
Presbyterian minister. This did not
suit him, and he became an Episcopal
liam. When he came to Wheeling he
preached several times on trial, and was
finally secured as pastor of the Episco-
pal Church there. He was known as
the Rev. James G. Armstrong. In ap-
pearance he was remarkable man, and
at this timc-carly in iSG6-he possess
cd manner that many of his congrcga-
tien thought was entirely too theatrical.
TAKEN FOR JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
A newspaper man in Wheeling named
Mann conceived the idea at that time
that Armstrong was none other than the
celebrated Wilkes Booth, who was re-
ported to have died the year previously,
The witnesses who declared they saw
Booths death, Mr.. Mann believed were
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 limpcd, and
had scar on the back Of his neck, and
Mr.. Mann came to the conclusion that if
Mr.. Armstrong was not Booth it was the
most remarkable Of coiucidences. In
1866 Mr.. Armstrong married. His wife
was Il lady Of great culture and refine
ment and Il lovely daughter. Miriam.
was born TO them.
SCENE IN RICHMOND.
Mr.. Armstrong left Wheeling and
want to Richmond to accept the pastor.
ate Of the ariStocratir ''Monu,ucntar|
Church, in that city. Here his striking
resemblance to Booth was commented
ON, for Booths face was a familiar one
in Richmond. One day while Mr.. Arm
strong was at home a gentleman came TO
the rectory and was ushcred into the
hbrary. In a manner pregnant with
importance and sccresy he asked Mr.. |
Armstrong to grant him private inter
view. The request was compiled with.
and the stranger ut once said
Y
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 sympa-
thy with the Lost Cause.'
Mr. Armstrong was very much discon-
certe,: by the mans excited manner, and
he endcavored to explain that the resem-
blaace was only the results Of the vis-
ito:'s 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 unpleasant visitor.
PREACHING IN ATLANTA.
When the Rev. r. G. Foute left At
lanta 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 preceded him and he became
at once social lion, and was welcomed
into the most exclusive circles. His
wife nnd daughter were highly accom-
plished and Miss Miriam soon became
great society favoritc
sHADOwED IN CINCINNATI.
Last September Mr.. Armstrong left
Atlanta to take trip North. He spent
some weeks away from home and re-
turned by way Of Cincinnati. While
he was in that city he was met by Mr..
Mann, Of Wheeling, who instantly ro-
cognized Mr.. Armstrong. Mann was
employed as reporter for, one oe the
Cincinnati afternoon papers, and MOTTO
ing, something peculiar in Mr.. Arm
strong's manner he came to the conclu-
sion that the clergyman was slightly in
toxicated. and that ne had started out
ITO pnint the town red." AS this prom
ised " racy sensation Mann followed the
the clergyman, and in the papers next
morning was a full account of the rever-
end gentleman'stwanderings giving the
names OF seven or eight houses Of ILL
fame he had visited during the evening
y together with other details. which will
appear probably at the trial. Copies Of