Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-19
SINNER, NOT SAINT.
Rev. John S. SmaIIwood, COL
ored, At Last Exposed.
Reaped a Rich Harvest With His
Smooth and Oily Tongue.
Rev. ]. G. Ross and Rev. I. Luce Of Portland
Among Latest Victims.


last summer, and represented himself as
engaged in evangelical work in that state
He is colored man and an eloquent
speaker. but Rev. l. G. Ross of Cape
Elizabeth, loaned him $500 and took his
note which he is now trying in vain to
collect and is inclined to think that he
has been imposed upon.
Smallwood represented then that prop
erty o. his Temperance, Industrial an
Collegiate Institute" at Claremont, was
worth $1,000 and was all paid for but
$500. Enemies of his school at Claremont
were taking advantage of his absence to
press for payment Of this $500. He rep
resented to Mr.. Ross that he had money
in the bank at Richmond, but that he
had left his check book in Virginia.
Unless he could be accommodated here
with $500 he would have to return at
once to Virginia.
AS Mr.. Smallwood was to speak at the
Old Orchard campmeeting, and as those
interested in his work were anxious that
it should not be interrupted, Mr.. Ross de-
termined to get the money for him if
possible He went to Rev. I. Luce
prominent Methodist clergyman of this
city, and laid the case before Inn.
That Clergyman said that he had $500
in the bank, but should have use for it in
q few months. He did not know Small
wood and hesitated to lend the money,
but Mr.. Ross said that Smallwood was
perfectly good and offered to endorse the
note. So Smallwood got the 1900 and
the Temperance, Industrial and Collegiate
Institute of Claremont Va, was saved
from the Vaccinations of bad men.
When the note became due Smallwood
wrote that saw mill belonging to the
school had been burned and the White
Caps had got possession of the property.
He needed SO, 600 to get it back. The
letter calling for funds was published in
Portland, Sept. 25, and soon after
Smallwood arrived at Portland.
To Mr. Ross and the friend who had
loaned the $500 he repeated the story that
the school property was all paid for, and
that he had money in the bank. Small
wood also represented that he had house
in Detroit Mich, which had been willed
to him by young lady to whom he had
formerly been engaged, another house
at Albion, n. Y. and place Az Franklin,
Va, worth $4,000
These representations satisfied the
holder and endorser of the note and a
great meeting was arranged for the Chest
nut street church. The most prominent
men in the city aided in making this
meeting success and the cOlored orator
was at his best He gained much sympa-
thy by the new grievance which he set
forth He said that the enemies of his
school had managed by changing the loca-
ton of the county road, to shut the school
off from the highway, and that several
thousand dollars would be required to get
a right of way.
Besides the collection taken up after
the address at the Chestnut Street church,
Smallwood was helped by the charity of
several leading men in Portland, who gave
sums as high as $50 each. The trip had
been quite profitable and Smallwood re
turned again to Virginia. But Mr. Ross
soon became anxious, and us time went on
he became more anxious.
Investigation showed that there was no
property in Detroit or Albany, n. Y,
taxed to Smallwood, and as for the school
property at Claremont, only about 5000
had been paid ON it and he had no title to
il. Suits have been brought against
Smallwood in Franklin, Va, and his bank
account at Richmond was trusted. Later
Smallwood sent check for $3.50, but
word was received that the bank on which
it was drawn had no funds of his.
About 10 years ago Rev. Mr.. Ross sent
money to Smallwood to get him North
Smallwood was a powerful natural orator,
and when the campaign of 1888 was on,
it CHANGED that Smallwood was invited to
speak at great Republican rally at
Staten Island. Senators Hoar and In
gals spoke at the same meeting. Small
wood spoke so well that the chairman OF
the Republican national committee sent
him into Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.
When here last Smallwood said that he
travelled with Blaine in Indiana and
Minnesota during the closing days of that
campaign. Smallwood's reputation grew
fast in Massachusetts, and in 1889 he was
sent as a delegate from that state to the
International Sunday school convention
at London. He attracted attention there,
and the next year a lecture bureau sent
him over Europe.
He represented here, last fall, that he
cleared $4,000 out of that tour, all of which
money he put into his school at Glare
mont. Inasmuch as it is now known that
he has less than 5000 in that school, this
statement may be doubted.
In 1891, Smallwood spoke in before the
Maine House of Representatives, delight
ing them, rs he did all his audiences. Last
June. Rev. /. G. Ross and wife attended
the commencement at the school at Clare
mont, and it will be remembered that
while there the White Caps and ku-klux
threatened to mob him. Mr.. Ross does
not new feel fully certain as to the gen
uineness of these demonstrations.
Late reports from Virginia indicated
that Smallwood is likely to be arrested,
but it is not known on what action.