The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-25
FIEND In CLERICAL GARB.
Pastor HERMAN Of Salt Lake a
Second Holmes.
MARRIED WOMEN FOR PURPOSE
OF KILLING THEM.

at Salt Lake City-Had Confessed to
Embezz1ing Church Funds-No Trace
of Him Can Be Found.
Salt Lake, Utah, May 23.-A horri BILE
tragedy, in many respects similar to the
murders said to have been committed by
Durrant at San Francisco, has been un-
earthed in this city. The pastor of the
First Scandinavian church, Rev. Francis
Hermann, is accused of the murders. Last
year, the pastors wife died and he en-
gagged Miss Clawson. an attractive young
woman of % to look after his apart
ments in the church building. In Sep
tember last Miss Clawson suddenly dis
appeared and has not been seen ali We
since. Immediately after her disappear
ance. the pastor. although the weather
was hot at that season, ordered big fire
built in the furnace in the basement
of the church. He sent everybody away
and lighted the fire himself and kept 1t
going for hours. Persons residing In
the neighborhood detected exceedingly
bad odors at the time and demonstrated
with Hermann, but he said he wanted
TO give the 1ues thorough test before
cold weather came. It was in this fur
mace few days ago that the body of Miss
Clawson, together with blackened
razors, butcher knife and part of a
woman's garter buckles were found.
The other victim is Miss Annie Sam
son. She was engaged to be married to
the preacher, but mysteriously disap-
peared in February last and it is sup
posed her remains are concealed some
where about the church. The police
found barrel, the head of which is COW
cred with human blood and their theory
is that the murderer, after killing his
victims, mutileted them on the barrel
head. Blood stains were also found on
the furnace door and floor. The Rev.
Mr.. Hermann left Salt Lake, May Z,
for Kansas City. and thence went to De-
coran, Iowa, on missionary tour and
has not yet been located. Among his
effects here which are in the hands Of
the police are letters, articles Of jewelry
and clothing belonging to both the dead
girls. Hermann is of Scandinavian des-
oonV, dpOuU II yenrs Oi aye anu well 0uu-
GATED. He has been married three times
and 1t Is said all his wives died under
suspicious circumstances. In his study
were found large collection of poisons.
Herriman's Black Record.
Salt Lake, Utah, May 24,-Further
Developments in the Scandinavian church
tragedy, lead to the belief that Rev.
Francis Herman has record of crime
little less extensive than that of the
notorious Holmes. His first wife died
in England under suspicious oiroum-
stances. He was pastor of Scan
dinayian church in West Superior, Wis.,,
in 1890 and 1891. and married a highly
| respenta BILE lady who, In less than year,
died very suddenly with two weeks
old baby. An inquest was held, but
nothing was discovered. however.
HERMAN soon married again and came
TO Salt Lake in 1894 with his wife.
Before long 2 baby was born and the
| NJ 9th er and the child died similarly.
few weeks after his acquaintance
with Miss Clawson began. He murdered
her and cremated the body in the furnace
In the church basement. He was engaged
to marry Miss Sam muelson. In February
of this year she disappeared and it is
charged be poisoned her after seducing
cellar. As far as discovered, it Is be-
lieved he has murdered seven people.
Miss Clawson had many friends here.
Miss Samuelson was employed as nurse
governess in good family here, and left
her place to be married to the preacher.
She has an aunt and other relatives
here and was a member of Herriman's
church. The church off GERS say that
HERMAN was suspended recently for
embezzling the church funds, had con-
fessed his guilt in that regard and was
awaiting hearing before the Methodist
conference.
He was fine looking man and very
generally liked. He is represented as
having a great liking for the study of
medicine, anatomy and kindred subjects
and delivered disquisitions on the hu-
man form. Photographs and descriptions
Of the man have been sent all over the
the country, but SO far the police have
had no tidings Of him.