The San Francisco call., 1897-07-18
LAST FALL OF
AN EXP ASTOR
REV" Kenneth Duncan Is
Now a Fugitive From
Justice.
After Securing a Needed Posi-
tion, He Steals From His
Employer.
he Then Disappeared and Detectives
Have Been Unable to
Find Him.

Kenneth Duncan, four years ago an
honored minister who preached the co.
pei from the pulpit of Howard Presbyte-
rian Church, Mission street near Third, is
now a fugitive from justice. Yesterday
afternoon he wandered miserable and
penniless into John AxtelPs restaurant,
354 Sixth street, and asked for employ
ment 1t was given him, and a few hours
later he stole $50 from the man who had
beiriended him, left the restaurant and
went into hiding.
The theft was reported to the police,
and detectives were detailed on the case.
but though they searched many hours for
the ex-preacher they could not find him.
Now that he has money, a large amount
for him, he will probably attem pit to leave
this part of the country.
The history of Duncan's downfall is an
interesting one. He came to this City
many years ago, g minister with mahy
friends and reputation for sincerity and
eloquence that few enjoyed.
Wine and a woman, however, paved
his undoing, and it was but step for him
to leave the church AMI join the great
majority of sinners. On his arrival here
he went to preach in the Howard Church,
but it was finally detected that he was
indulging in hilarious escapades with
woman who was certainly not one of his
Christian congregation. He was lnvesti-
gated by the churchmen and the result
was that he was dismissed from his posi-
ton as their pastor. Undaunted he cast
aside the mask of hypocrisy he had been
wearing for so long and went ont to the
in nf q n own He had
ill luck, however. and CONCLUDED to again
don the mask he had cast aside and, as
Stunning a penitent look, endeayor to re-
enter the church.
He went to Honolulu for that purpose.
but the Presby terian congregations of
that island city demanded that he pre-.
sent credentials from people of this City.
Rdnors of his escapades had reached
Honolulu, and the people there wanted 20
be certain that he was worthy OF the pull
pit before they would place him there.
Duncan was unable to furnish the cre-
dentials and left the islands and returned
to this City. He drifted awhile and
Taylor street In a short time the men,
bers of the mission discovered that he
was not 20 be trusted and he was sent
away.
He moved about from place to place.
varouslv EN- ployed, when he Joined the
Volunteers OF america. In that organiZa-
ton his eloquence found q place, and he
was soon promoted from the ranks 10 the
position of a brevet officer. One day,
however, according to Lieutenant-Colone
Gardner OF the organization, he appeared
at one of the meetings In an intox icated
condition. He was not dismissed for his
action at that time, but directly after that,
as he seemed to no longer take an interest
in the organization and was drinking
heavily, the Volunteers told him that he
must leave or reform.
He chose the former course and went to
Sacramento, where he frequently visited
the headquarters of the volunteers in that
city. He kept on drinking, and finally in
fear that his preseac, would injure the
standing of the volunteers Duucan was
pu: aboard a steamer and sent back to
this City. Here he searched for employ
meEt and found il in Axtelps restaurant,
Shortly after securing his position he OBJ
served his employer place a sack contain
ing $50 in gold and silver under a pillow
on q bed in a small room in The rear OF the
restaurant. He watched his chance and
when his employer was occupied with mis-
customers tiptoed into the room, stole the
money and disappeared.