The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-09-06
wrong ITO Rev. Mckinney.

The mistake made by the agents of the
United States Government in arresting Rev.
e. r. Mckinney, an evangelist Of wide re-
pute. and bringing him from Saltwater, Ok
lahOma, 10 Pittsburg to be tried for imper-
sonstinga United States officer and defraud-
ing applicants for an increase Of pension in
this county, threatens to develop some SEN
sationel features. The Methodist ministers
of Pitisburg will be asked to unite in the
support of the victim Of the Governments
mistake and the Government will be asked
in legal way 10 restore Rev. Mr.. Mckinney
to his distressed family in Oklahoma.
Rev. Mr.. Mckinney told sorry story at
police headquarters, Pittsburg He is a tall,
sharp-featured man, with flowing mus
tache. He is fluent talker, with a Yankee
tNaug in his voice While the humble aud
apparently distressed evangelist recited the
story Of his misfortune to Inspector Nickel
vey big tears chased each other down his
hsggari cheeks, and he seemed positively
weak from worry. He told how some
sharper, representing himself as a Govern
ment pension agent, had gone into the
mountains of Somerset County, and how ne
had agreed to secure for each pensioner an
increase in pension, provided he was paid
fifty cents in each case. He told Of how the
Government had lerned Of the fraud, aud
how the perpetrator had been described as a
heavy-set man with a small black mustache.
J. II. Bos,wick, the Pension Examiner,
had seen picture of the evangelist in an
Oklahoma paper, and had telegraphed TO
United States Marshal J. O. Stevens to arrest
Rev Mr.. Mckinney. The arrest was made
while Mr. Mckinney was at the bedside OF
his sick wife. It was feared at the time the
shock would kill the woman. The prisoner
was taken to Guthrie, where he was impris-
oned in filthy pen with fifty-six Indians
and three train-ro5bers. One Of the train
robbers had his arm shot of while resisting
arrest. He was held in prison at Guthrie
until Attorney General Olney was consulted
in the case. Marshal Stevens was confident
be bad arrested the wrong man. The At
torney General ordered that the prisoner be
taken TO Pitts5urg for trial.
At Chicago Stevens left the minister for
six hours, while he attended the Worlds
Fair Coming from Chicago 10 Pittsburg
the prisoner travelled on one road over which
he was enabled to purchase half-raie tick
ei, and the Marshal travelled over another
road on which he had purchased a round
trip ticket At Chicago the Marshal decided
to allow the prisoner to come to Pittsbnrg
and give himself up, but after consulting an
attorney it was learned that such an arrange
ment would prevent the official from draw
ing his pay for the trip. When the prisone r
was turned over 10 the authorities Marshal
Stevens drew full fare for himself and pris-
Oner regardless Of the half rate to the minis
ter. The cost Of bringing the prisoner to
Pittsburg was 500. The amount collected
by the frsudulen: agent in this county is re-
ported to be 81 80.
When the case was called in the L nited
States Court Thursday three witnesses tesii-
fed that Rev Mr.. Mckinney was not the
man who had defrauded them. He was dis
charged and is turned into the streets with
out penny, about thousand miles from
his family.
The whole case will be thoroughly inves-
tigated.