The morning call., 1894-04-13

gentleman who does not believe in hell.
In fact for the last few days. during which
Mr.. Poage has been subjecting himself TO
interviews and explaining to guieless
newspaper men all about his new theory
of religion and the fine sense of justice
which induced him to resign from the
church, he has been followed closely as his
own shadows by private detective under
orders to have the deeply religious Poage
cast into jail should he attempt to leave
town. Not because he does not believe in
the orthodox way, however. but on the
plebeian charge Of swindling friend.
Eschatologv. as taught By Poage, has no
charms for Charles Montgomery of the
Brooklyn Hotel, and he would rather be-
lieve In the rthodox way and take his
chances on Hades than believe the
Poagean doctrine and lose a little matter
of $1,000, which was wheedled out of him
by the reverend and learned dissenier Nho
does not feel, that as matter OF justice,
it is right for the Almighty to furnish a
soul with everlasting torture for the sins
committed in the brief period OF years al
lotted TO this human life" And yet
despite this fine sentiment if Mr.. Poage
does not pungle up Montgomery's money
he may be allotted "a brief period Of
years" in the Stale Prison.
The story of Rey. c. A. P0age's derelic-
tions, coming as it does so closely upon
his lofty explanations of religious views,
is of great interest and will undoubtedly
assist the presbytery in deciding quickly
on accepting his resign alton without any
reference 10 his heresy. In the first place
Mr.. Poage, years ago, was pastor of the
Larkin-stIeet Church. Knowing The guile
less nature of Charles Montgomery, the
hotel man, the ex-divine went to him and
ibid tale unfold" which made Mr..
Montgomery's ''knotty and com bined
locks to start" with pleasure at the idea OF
untold wealth. Mr.. Poage, in fiue, had
bought Siskiyon gold mine from a man
named Fraser. He had organized the
Mayf1ower Gold Mining Company, with
Jacob Bacon as president and Ii. NJ. Binck-
ley as treasurer, and all he wanted from
Montgomery was money to buy 20-stamp
mill. Knowing the Old-time pastoral re-
lations of Poage Mr.. Montgomery has
tened to advance $3.50 in cash and securi-
ties which raised the total to $780,
Then with great deal of ceremony Mir.
Poage handed Mr.. Montgomery 10000
shares of stock and the latter felt glad he
had met such splendid finaDcier. This
was year ago.
That stampmill cost $3.50, but Poage rep
resented it cost $500 to Montgomery after
he had realized on the securities. The
Mayflower Company soon went to pieces
and w. Fraser once more took possession
of the mine. Mr.. Montgomery couldn'
exactly see where he came out ID this
transaction and demanded his money from
Poage. He got lots OF promises. but in
sisted on getting a bill of sale for the
stampmill, He got that finally. but ha,
not yet got his money. Hearing yestsr
day that Poage was about ITO put girdlt
around the earth" Attorney Jordan. rep
resenting MIR. Montgomery. induced thu
ex-divine 20 pass bad quarter of an houl
in his office. In few well-chosen and ap
propriate words Jordan said that if Mr.
Poage did not return that money instentel
and attempted to leave town he would
straightway be hauled to prison. In fact, h'
was warned that if the settlement wal
not made he would 90 to jail anyhow.
Tho deal with Montgomery is, no wever
but an incident in the life of P0age. Old
timers remember him away back in th,