The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-10-11
HERMANS' FIRST WIFE
A Letter Received From Her
Brother in England.
HE IS DEEPLY SHOCKED
SOME NEW FACTS CONCERNING THE
MURDERERS CAREER.
His True Name is Hermanson-In-
sured His First Wife's Life Before
He Killed Her-A Letter Written
by the Preacher to Mr.. Smith.

Additional information is received
concerning the early history of Rev.
Francis Hermans, the Scandinavian
M. e. church murderer, proving al
most conclusively that he murdered
his first wife in England.
Some weeks ago The Herald pub
lished letter from Arthur Smith. a
brother-in-law of Hermans, now resid-
ing in England, relating the circum-
stances surrounding the mysterious
death Of his sister, Hermans' wife. Rev.
Mork, the present pastor Of the church
hire, immediately wrote MIR. Smith
for further details. A few days ago
a reply containing much interesting in
formation was received. 1t develops
that Hermans had his wife's life in
sured a short time before her sudden
disappearance, a circumstance that is
entirely in harmony with the preacher S
suspicious actions when called supon to
explain the cause of his Wife's sudden
demise.
1t will be remembered that Hermans
made the church officials here believe
that he had money coming from a re-
lation, Mr. Smith, in England. This is
entirely disproved by Mr.. Smith him
self, as we'll as by Hermans, who, in a
letter to his brother-in-laW, corroDor-
ateS the latter's statement to the effect
that the reverse was the case-Hermans
was indebted to Smith. Mr.. Smith S
letter received by DR.. Mork yesterday
is as follows:
MR.. SMITHS LETTER.
Brian Wood, Wash Common, Newburg
Berks, England, Sept. 16, 1896.
To the Rev. E. &. Mork, 1873 Second
East street.
Sir-I received your letter and feel
more than grieved with its contents.
1t is even worse than the press ac-
count. In my previous letter L gave
you Hermans' account as truthfully
and straightforward as I could and
since have taken all means to get his
history, and will now relate as cor
rectly as L have got it. But first, I
never gave him LOCO pounds sterling,
but when he left Glasgow he said a
dear old sailor, by name William
Brown, had robbed him Of everything
and we never heard any tidings of him
from that time to this l helped Her
mans in every way l could, both in
money and clothes, and put watch in
his pocket and settled a large sum of
money for him with the understanding
he would return it, which he never
did. You will see by letter inclosed'
where he speaks of it; also cutting
from the Christian when my sister
died.
First. Hermans was born in Stock
holm, or near by. He was of respect
able parents He was supposed to
have run away from home and Went
for a sailor. Some years after was con
verified at Mariners church, New York
His right name is Hermanson. Was
2. sailor on the P. Q. o. line. Came
over to London and got into missionary
work s after he married my dear
sister. Ny previous letter deals with
his further history.
have spared nothing to get all IN
formation, and l quite remember ask
ing nv sister the last time saw her
if she was happy. She said yes; she
had cot a good husband and his life
seems to have been good, and ne
seemed wonderfully blessed in his
work. But my idea is, he got proud
and naughty and to carry it out he
must have done the awful things, be-
cause he insured my sisters life a
short time before the dear creature
died
think and know I have told you al
and feel overwhelmed to think such
|
preacher Kindly write again and tel
me any tidings you may know, OF
any further news I may hear | VII
| forward. Kindly stamp letters. Yer!
respectfully, ARTHUR SMITH.
Hermans, in a letter to Mr.. Smith
shows that he lied to the church trus
| tees here when he was called upon t
make good the shortage to the churcl
and represented that ne had money
| due him from that source. The fol
| lowing is an extract from preVlou:
letter written by Hermans in his owl
| handwriting to Mr.. Smith, which thu
| latter has forwarded to Dr. Mork:
FROM HERMANS TO SMITH.
| "But then it is good to be well EN-
| Dloyed in a good cause. The hard times
| of this country do not seem to chang
| very RAPIDLY. and we are looking for
! ward to the coming winter with grea
| anxiety. The bishop who held ou
conference sent me back here for an
| other year, and While l was glad no
to have to move, L should have like
an easier field. But someone has t
be here, and as long as God gives m
health and strength, [ desire to use
| for him and the welfare of my fellow
men.
L have written 20 John Marshall to
day and have asked how little Samue
and they all are. How is dear Alice
I have not heard from them for LONG
| long time. They never answered m
last letter I shall be glad to hea
from you soon and to know how 70
and all are, and l will write you
long letter next time. Bear with me
Brother Arthur. 1 hope to be able t
settle with you some time.
HERMANS' SURVIVING CHILD.
Samuel, referred to in the above let
ter. is Hermans' son by his first wife
The boy is now being cared for b
relatives Another issue, boy, to tn
first marriage was with his mothe
when she died, and was reDresente
by his father to have died shortly al
forwards.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH.
The clipping in the Christian" re