The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-06
UNDER THE SPELL or 4 TRAMP
He Carried a Bible, Preached New Re
lIgion and Infatuated Mrs. Chambers.

Mrs. Fernando Chambers is very well
known I'm religious circles I'm Oakland.
She is a member OF the Salvation Army
in Oakland. one Of the leaders I'm the
Holiness Band and one OF the organizers
Of the Gospel Union on Eighth street
Every night In the week she devotes 10
the cause OF religion. She is public
speaker. and a very enthusiastic woman
I'm the ranks Mrs. Chambers has just
passed middle life. She is not partlcu-
larly striking In her looks, and yet she
has pleasant face.
In view OF the fact that she IS such n
religious woman. her friends We're con-
siderably shocked yesterday afternoon
when she instituted proceedings for n
divorce against Alexander J. Chambers
I'm the Alameda Superior Court. The
filing Of the complaint recalled a most
remarkable story in connection with the
womans life. Alex. Chambers was n
well-known citizen OF North Oakland
and had n wide circle of friends. In
1889 he saw chance 10 20 10 South
America and make a stake. He decided
his fine home TO his wife and sailed
away. He made a great deal OF money
in the Southern country, and every month
he used 10 send his wife 500 for her
expenses. As the couple had no children,
Il
ance. After toiing very hard for n
couple OF years. Chambers made a small
fortune. lie was said TO be the happiest
man on earth. At that time he was
just making a cleanup preparatory 10
coming TO Oakland and joining his wife.
But he never came, and there was rea-
son for his absence. A dark shadow was
cast over his life by reason Of a letter
received by him from a friend explaining
all his wife's actions
During his absence Mrs. Chambers
became very lonesome. She had never
thought very much Of religion One day
an old tramp happened TO call at the
house and asked for BIT TO eat He
was not refused, and indeed he was
given a little work at choDping wood.
II happened that he carried Bible.
and this excited the curiosity Of Mrs.
Chambers. She talked with the tramp,
who gave his name as William Warner
His ways were gentle and his voice soft
and tender He preached n new religion
10 Mrs. Chambers. She listened 10 hts
story and seemed 10 be hypnotized IN
deed. she must have been under a spell.
Tor she invited the tramp 10 make his
home In her house. Day after day he
preached TO the lady Of the house on
the new religion. and she became n con-
vert and an admirer OF the tramp.
In the meantime Warner was living in
luxury at the Chambers home. never do
Ing stroke Of work. but spending I'm
me most approved manner the money
sent by the husband In South America |
Tor the supDort OF his wife One day |
ne suggested 10 Mrs. Chambers that they |
get married. There seemed 10 be n
barrier in the way in the person OF Mr.. |
.hainbers. Warner asserted. however. |
NAT the husband in South America did |
lot count. because his religion did not |
'ecognize any ceremony performed by |
man, His marriages were all spiritual
mes. and so Mrs Chambers and VIII !
lam Warner were married under the new
eligion. The ceremony was short. .J
axe the for my spiritual husband" said
he: Il take thee for my spiritual wife"
aid he.
so they were married. and the nature
Z the ceremony was told TO the people.
he conduct Of the parties seemed 10
e so scandalous that the neighbors
rotested. and there was considerable