The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-25
The COMING MESSIAH.
Insane Man Reveals Himself Tn
the Chief Of Police.
AFTER AN ATTEMPT At MuRpee
John Comerford, Who Predscssa sn~
u. Louis Tornado. Triss to shoos
His LAndiady's Son.

shs AfrDixh'y' Tor ne tod me 30 when "a.
. enid lie rsveaisd unto nae the htsto~v
OF the wor'a and promise 20 guide ma
through iifs- ! told the peopIe Of 1vo.x,
sazt God would send cyclone 10 s~ss,
sway 81 Louis before the Eapust,r.r
national convention. but they lauxn~1 =.
ne l told the psopis that when u. ~
fionzl Democratic convention net "a f,hs-
eAxo Il would De In doubt several davv =.
70 The nan u would put forth 20 carry
Is standard. but that finally a young mar
81 Iris1man, would Be selected Again
tsey ridsculed me. bur knew I was RE-,
for God had spoken"
A Chief Of Police Reed szt in hi. orysoe
hta yesterday afternoon ana Isstsned 90
this speech from John Cemersorc. the
mar VINO drew revolver on Ross FER
fasoa ~ the Hotel Ferguson yexterdsv
morains. coupled with a threat to kiu him.
shsrs sas 10 doubt In the chiefs mind IA
70 the insanity OF his prisoner. In fact
ComerfoFe Informed the chief n the ma.
matter OF fact way that he believed III,
mother died IN an Insane asylum and that
his fathers actions had a great deal 70
10 with making her lose her mind.
Comsrford 10 a peculiar man and n h.
sers not led 20 talk on several subfects
one might be led To believe that he wss
rational Re came to this city about three
weeks ago from Victoria, p. c.. or a. leax.
that was what he told Police Officer John
Kelly two or three days ago. on pig.
street.. Kelly found him stretched a, fun
lssgth Ia an alley and informed him that
he would better find another Sleeping
place. Comsrford then told the Officer a
hard luck story about how he had been
a. Victoria. where hts father and brother
lived and that his brother brought him "a
Seattle and then deserted him as quickly
a. possible. Kelly stated yesterday that
although comerfori had lived al the
he had put in most OF his time on Pike
street I, appears that thu people Al
shs Ferguson had come 10 look upon
Cornsrford as insane He would write
day after day, but his product was
Ike an endless chain and utterly devoid
Of sense. Incidentally II might be men,
fsosed that the insane lodger also forgot
10 pay his room rent. Mrs. Ferguson
came 10 the conclusion che could forgive
the debt II the lodger would so away.
On this basis Ross Ferguson went to
comsrford's room yesterday morning and
tod him thar he had not paid the rent but
that no further mention would be made
about It " he would leave the hotel, IL
being necessary for -.srs. Ferguson to
have the room
Comersord was writing when this mes
ssge was delivered. but he suddenly Jumped
sp ard pulling ali American bulldog re-
yolver on young Ferguson. yelled outs
Il will blow your brains out before GO
According 10 all accounts this speech was
followed BY something OF race, In which
Ferguson led and Comerford and the gun
we're making strong finish. when Offieer
Byrne appeared on the scene. The officer
grabbed the man with the gun and hustled
him "a the police station. while the room
srs. who. Il is said. went into temporary
secuslon a. fast possible during the
reign Of terror. appeared on the scene and
had a free discussion on the horrors OF
the situation"
comerford enjoyed the trip TO the police
station. but 'shacked" strongly when Il
came 70 searching him. Finally the job
was successfully accomplished. and a lot
o. written papers and good-sized re-
solver Mere on Clerk Meredith's desk.
From that time on the prisoner was very
foclle.
Late In the afternoon he was brought
before Chief OF Police Reed and given .
thorough questioning.
What we're you doing at the FeFguson?'
sA the frst question.
The man laughed. threw one leg over
Vie other and replied in an apparently
rstional manner:
Why, | owed 50 room rent. and they
we're Foing TO put me out. I drew a gun
on TIE man. but had no intention OF shoot
TX aim. II was just a scare that gave
him"
The chief asked him II he was In the
Aahst OF soaring people In that manner.
and he replied that he had never carried
firearms until coming 10 Seattle.
What made you arm yourself In this
eliyT asked the chief
Sonsrford grlaned. grabbed hold OF ons
faes and replied; Well. i was afraid the
Priesthood might do me- up"
i suppose you are opposed 20 the priest
feodT' yentured the chief.
Yes. slightly. You see I am now ~
sears old and when I am 20 I shah be
recognized as the Messiah. / havs not
given this out generally. but from the
tina ! was child I have known that
vas the one selected By the Almighty to
d. his Bidding"
TIE chief got interested IN the story
sEa asked comerfora 20 explain how he
happened 70 know that he was the Sc
secse3 one"
God came n me-" replied Ccmcrford
and told me AL these things Through
hin knew everything that was 10 hap
zen He told ne that | was 20 be pre-
sesed by Mary Beckner. know that God
fAs led me because ! was on Lake Ca
brio m The Dove when the Asa went
Gown with is7 souls on board. I vas AFRAID
g my ilse ans prayed and prayed that
Cod would lead ma 20 Mary before /
e'et. "A prayed The storm went Down
ard then commenced searching for
Mary found her In Owosso, Mt>h-. bat
De rot know where she Is now. She had
knnvn 81 ne az through her life and was
waiting 70 see me Yes have been mar
f'ea and told my wife that the Almighty
I'D ~ would have three children and
% nogs sac lsaxhei az me sa5 ~ not
believe MIA, I told her about my being
fee Messiah"
The chief concluded that the evidence
'ss;saea him IN sending Conerford TO TIE
eeart house % be examined SO 20 his
ssaltg. The case VIII corne ~ today.