The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-30
NOL0NGER THEIR CHRIST
LIBERTY CoUNTY's IMPOsToR TO
BE GOT OUT OF THE WAY.

"
me Negroes in the Lower Part OF the
County Greatly Excited over the
Arrest and Trial of the Alleged
Christ-Many of Them in Want From
Having Abandoned Their Crops and
Homes to Follow the False Leader
Scenes at the Trial
The Ohio man who went to Liberty
county some time ago, preaching to the
colored people that he was Christ and that
he would lead them to the promised land
OF Canaan about the middle Of August,
has been adjudged a lunatic. Ex-Congress-
man Norwood represented the people in
their effort to get rid Of the impostor.
whose teachings have demoralized the ne
groes in the lower part of the county.
The trial was before the Liberty court of
ordinary day before yesterday. It was the
most remarkable trial that Liberty county
has had IN long time, and as many people
gathered on the court ground as there, would
II e. hanging were taking place. The ma
Christ.
When the sheriff attempted to arrest Bell
the negroes surrounded him, and for a
moment it seemed as if trouble was immi-
nent, but Bell, raising both hands, admon-
ished themsto be quiet, saying: "Peace, be
still. am Christ" and they at once fell
back
Bell told the ex-congressman week ago
that bis name was Edward Bell, but at the
trial when asked what his name was he
replied, my name is John Hollis Cristo-
pher Columbus Ortiz"
Did you not tell me a week ago that
your name was Bella" Mr.. Norwood asked.
"Yes, but my name is anything. Is your
name Norwood Well mine is the same.
am in you, and you are in me, / am
Jesus Christi
"Do you know the Bible?"
why shouldn't /, when wrote it!'
"Can you repeat it?'
II can, word for word.n
"Go ahead"
'I5 is enough that Isay I can. Twill not
be tempted.
Hasn't it occurred to you that you are
crazyF' he was asked.
"Foolishnessl l am he that was nailed
to the cross and suffered and died. Do you
sec me? You see Christ"
''How old are youp
Thirty years.
Where were you bornp'
'Circleville, o."
Are you marriedw
mo, l am Christ"
Who are your CHOSEN peoples"
THE negroes. They are black, but their
hearts are white. The surface is nothing.n
During the examination Bell referred to
the Bible more frequently, and put his
finger on verse after verse without the
the slightet hesitancy. His fingers taper
prettily and his hand resembles that of a
woman's His defines in turning to the
right place was remark able. He began
quoting each time before he found the
place, and finding it he took up the chapter
and read without any interruption.
He carries his Bible continually,
and he used it often at his trial He would
say that Christ did so and so, and opening
the Bible and putting his finger on the
chapter, would read what he claimed bore
him out In his teachings.
The colored people who crowded
about him caught at every word
he uttered as truth. Many
of them rely implicitly upon him.
Some of them, though, are beginning to
realize that their idleness must end, if
they want to keep their body and soul
together. Some are already in want
Many have abandoned their farms and left
them for the cattle to destroy, and they
are beginning to regret it.
1t is not known just what disposition
will be made of Bell. TIE ordinary of
Liberty county received a notification a
lew Gays ago unaJ the state asylum Is full
and thirty more inmates are being cared for
than the appropriation calls for. Hon.
VIM. Clifton, who attended Bells trial,
said that an appropriation was made at the
last session of the legislature for 500
and that thirty more than this number
are in the asylum. He said that Bell will
have to be kept in the Liberty county jail
at the county's expense if he cannot be got
into the asylum. An effort will be made,
however, to get him out of the county,
where his presence will not affect the
colored people whom he has aroused almost
to religious frenzy.