New-York tribune., 1895-01-30
SAYS HE'S A PROPHET OF GOD
BENJAMIN HUNTERS RELIGIOUS MANIA
ARRESTED FOR SENDING LETTERS TO PROM.
NENr PUBLIC MEN THAT THE END

Is AT HAND"
A man who is AFFLICTED with religious mania has
for two years past been sending warning letters to
all the principal men in the country, from President
Cleveland down, was arraigned before Justice Koch
at the Harlem Police Court yesterday The man
is BENJAMIN Hunter, negro thirty y-four years old.
who for four years has worked as a coachman and
gardener for Elijah Clark, the principal OF Grammar
School No. co. and lives with Mr.. Clark at No. 70
East One Observation-Disclosures
Superintendent Byrnes received the Following lse-
Washington. Jan. Is. 1896.
that Was sr to the
acase Si ae cfea by man Who s F.
Hunter and gives his address as No. 50, g, East one
VIII you at your earliest convenience have IN.
Il such man is living there, what business he is
engaged in II any; also his general character
wAsner to uss Violence ohy IL nsresa
Major and Superintendent OF Metropolitan Police
The copy of the letter referred to read as fol-
lows: =. ,..,
TIDINGS.,,
To Justices of S. c. of e. s and all members thereof
Be 1t. and it is hereby. known to you and Az ma
tions and all tongues in all States and Territories
this generation OF people forever. for Of all the
DGs s m have sus sss" the cd
time is OUT come down and lie In tn the Dust h Tor \
chastiSed "A
Amen, amen amen. BENJAMIN !: HUNTER:
S65 East -and-sxty-ffth-st, New
York City.
As soon Superintendent Byrnes received this
letter he referred 1t to Police Captain Creeden OF
the Morrisanla station. and the latter placed tho
case in the hands OF Sergeant Wallace, who. yester-
day morning, proceeded to make an investigation.
The sergeant found Hunter In Mr.. Clarks sta
bic. and engaged him in conversation. hunter AZ
once acknowledged that he had written the let
ters and then stated that he was the prophet OF
God. directly appointed to warr the rulers OF the
Nation and all In authority OF the eVeras"nB
damnation that awaited them.
He said that he had been especially appointed
by God. who appeared to him In vision one night
over two years ago, and said: Benjamin. the ume
has come. 1t Is II o'clock. 1 have chosen you 10
warn the people that the time has came. Warn
them that everlasting damnation is TO be their
fate"
lust preyioIs to the appearance OF the vision.
Hunter said he had written TO Mr.. Cleveland, an
nouncing TO him that he would be chosen Presioent
at the election then near at hand, and asking MIN 70
reward him after election. but directly after he
got his appointment as prophet he sent to the newly
elected President a sheet Of paper on which was
written: Meme meme tekel upharsin." but ne did
"1s Since that time, Hunter said. God had appeared
to him many times. and directed MN 10 warn sne
es fna s had ade wTen to the President to the
ernors OF all the states and Territories; ana az az
the judges, but no one naa heeueo n'S "o"'Aes o~~
the end at hand. -. ...
sergeant Wallace then took Hunter into CUSTODY
and arralpned him at court. Justice Koch asked the
PRISONER Why he had written the letters. Hunter
answered: A.. ...v
~ have orders from God whose CHIEF prophet
am and who communicates directly with me, ap.
nearing in different forms. He directs and obey
Would you kill man IL God ordered your
He would never issue such order. but IL He
did / would obey Him." - ,,-.,..,
Hunter then committed to Beevue Hospi.1'
for five days for examination OF his merlai con cog.
reared in Nansemond Va: where he received ,ss
Education and came North about twelve years aso::
-Four wears ago he entered Mr.. Carks service ana
has lived with him since Mr.. Clark says n tnas
he is a most trustworthy man. OF exemplary H"''S
and strong religious impulses - . ,. no.
Hunter said in court that ne hsd @ IN eSay Arr .ha.
since his conversion he had been laboIng 70 atons
Sor the sins OF his youth. He gioried IN oeinS
sen, 70 prison for doing his duty as the 'eaoe1 oi
ali Gods prophets.