The San Francisco call., 1896-03-06
LETS HIS LIGHT SHINE,
But It Is Always With the
Aid of a Borrowed"
Stereopticon.
A RELIGIOUS KLEPToMAN1AC.
Remarkable Career of Rev. ]. H. Scott,
Under Arrest for Embezzling
Magic.Lantern.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, |
0OS broadway March &

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
90S Broadway, March 5. {
The latest natural curiosity to develop
on this side of the bay is religious KEEP
tomanlac, with predominating penchant
for stereopticon outfits, valuable ones re-
ceiving the preference.
A few weeks ago THE CALL published a
story of how A. J. MacMurtry had been
swindled out OF valuable stereopticon
apparatus that he loaned the REV" G. III.
Scott some months ago. Scott represented
himself as an Arizona evangelist, and,
after establishing himself firmly in the
good graces of Christian people, he mani
tested a desire to borrow, always in the
interests of the work of religion. Recently
Scott was arrested in Los Angeles, and
MacMurtry has sworn out warrant for
EN- bezzlement. An officer was sent down
to-day and the reverend Mr.. Scott will
haye chance to explain his actions next
week before Judge Wood in the Police
Court.
Since the publication of the story in THE
CALL evidences of Mr.. Scott's borrowing
mania have been made known in various
parts o. the country. He was first heard
of in 1893 in Canton, n. j., where he en-
tered the st. Lawrence University to take
up special course of study. He said his
home was in California, and that he was
a regularly ordained Congregational min
ister; that he had circumnavigated the
globe as a captain of a man-of-war: that
he had pene trated the icy north with the
pole-seeking Schwatka; that he had been
missionary among the red rovers of the
plains, and that he was the owner of a
fine stereopticon which had become sepa-
rated from him and lost.
At that time he had several sets of fine
magic-lantern slides, illustrative OF polar
scenes, and he wanted to give lecture on
Alaska. He learned that Professor Priest
| had fine double stereopticon, so he "bor-
rowed" it, and few days later the rev.
erend lecturer and the professors outfit
were missing.
"Rev" Scott next turned up at Nor
wood, Vt. He had Professor Priests re-
| liable outfit with him, and when his iden-
| tity was discovered he was arrested and
| taken to New Jersey. Upon his returning
| and paving the costs the charge was dis
| missed and Scott faded from view in that
! State. Shortly after he left news was re-
| ceived that he was wanted in Illinois for
borrowing" a stereopticon from a minis
terial friend and skipping out.
| After leaving Canton Rev" c. II. Scott
made a trip TO California on borrowed"
| money, and then was heard from at Al
| DuTS springs, L., WneIe he WdS kllOWu as
! Rev. Henry Clay Steele, and where he was
engaged to preach. He was man of fine
appearance, good address and much elo-
| quence, and his congregation raised the
necessary funds and sent him to Chicago
for his wife and child. After taking in the
Worlds Fair he returned with plausible
story regarding his family and soon after
ward skipped with missionary funds to the
amount of $3.50 and lot of borrowed
books besides forgetting his board bill.
A few months later he appeared at Mid
dletown Springs, where he gave good salts
faction as Baptist preacher.
The church authorities grew suspicious
and started an investigation when Scott
took letter from the Postofice directed
to a deacon and containing charges
against him. He at once borrowed a
team and carriage and drove to the nearest
railway station.
He next appeared in Arizona and last OF
all at Los Angeles, taking in Mr.. Mac
Murtry of Oakland en- route.
II intend to prosecute him to the full
extent of the law said MacMurtry, "but
l expect it will be difficult to make a
charge of EN- bezzlement stick"