The San Francisco call., 1896-03-07
The Young Convert He Married
Said to Be Welded
Again.
HIS FORTUNE WAS A MYTH,
A Record of Crime and Hypocrisy
That Was Carried on Around
the Bay.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco GAIL

II LI,i
SOS Broadway, March 6.
Evangelists and members and officers of
the Young Mems Christian Association on
both sides OF the bay are greatly surprised
at the resurrection of James Alexander
Smith of England. Mr.. Smith, whose his
tory has never yet been told and proba bly
never will be told completely, was sup
posed to have died at the Alameda County
poorhouse about year ago under another
name. 1t was stated at the time that the
dead mans identity had been made posi-
tive and many people breathed more
freely.
Rev. j. A. Smith has had a more varied
eXperlence than falls to the lot of most ad-
yenturers who select the Pacific Coast as
their field of operations. About four years
ago he appeared in San Francisco as an
evangelist and held series of very sue
cessful meetings. There were many con-
versions and the evangelist made many
friends.
After a few weeks Mr.. Smith began to
hint at a fortune that was in litigation in
England and that might soon be distrib-
uted. On the strength of his representa-
tions the evangelist did considera bic "rais-
ing" All this time he was boarding at
the establishment of an English lady on
Fourth street, near Howard, in San Fran
cisco. Board bills were not presented, as
the evangelist was so thoroughly religious
and had expectations.
Among his converts, while conducting
his services at the church of Rev. Frank
lin Rhoda in South San Francisco, was an
estimable young woman named Miss Hat
tie Lawrence. After her conversion Rev.
Mr.. Smith paid particular attention to
Miss Lawrence, and eventually announced
hot fhax-
60 years of age at that time and his fiancee
was not half that number of years, but she
was a sensible woman, and so long as the
evangelist had a fortune IN prospect it was
thought the match was not very unto
ward affair.
After his marriage Smith commenced to
plunge. His future was assured and he
could af4 4fd TO do 1.-THE right thing" by his
bride, so he took her on a wedding trip to
Santa Cruz County. He bought her q pair
OF fine horses, and also purchased ranch.
He paid for them both with expectations
and did the same with his hotel bills.
After he had spent a few weeks in this
manner he reappeared in San Francisco at
his Fourth-street boarding house.
One day he received an important letter
from England. The estate had been dis
tribUted, and his share of $4,000 was be-
ing brought to him by an English lawyer.
Bills accumulated rapidly, and the young
pecr CT seeing some actual coin at last.
The time came for the arrival of the law
yer and the $4,000. A sumptuous repast
was prepared and Rev. ]. A. Smith went
to the ferry to receive his important guest,
leaving his wife and the landlady TO put
the finishing touches on the feast.
The evangelist did not return. A week
later he was found in British Colum 5ia.
A warrant from Santa Cruz found him.
Mr. Smith had used the name of the Sec
retary of the Y. NJ. c. 4. at that CITY to
supply current cash. Secretary Mccoy of
San Francisco also had grievance against
Smith. The evangelist was taken to Santa
Cruz and was sent to Folsom. His.young
wife went to live at Berkeley and severed
the bonds of matrimony, and it is said she
has married again. After regaining his
freedom Smith was heard from in Sacra-
mento, where be met with some trouble,
and after that stories were published that
he had died under an assumed name in
the poorhouse.
Fo. the past few days he has been in this
city, and is again taking a hand in evan
gelical work.