The sun., 1897-06-16
"REv." FRED BELL JAILED.
LOCKED UP IN BR0OKBHN ron
TELLING FORTUNES.

Tho FORMER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. "stngtng
Prenchero Caught by District Attorney
Backus's Special Detective geiiinE Five
Cent Horoscopes Cor Three Dollars.
The rev" Fred Bell descended on Brooklyn
about twenty-five years ago and took charge OF
tho Park Avenue Primitive Methodist Church.
He was dark, curly-haired, stalwart young
man. with resoundlng voice, and was accus-
toned to whack tho pulpit in a vigorous man.
ner In somo Of his impassioned discourses ho
referred to himself as "a brand snatched from
tho burning" and gave some vivid descriptions
OF his career in England as q gambler and prize
fighter. He made a big sensation at the time,
but In O year or 80 got involved in some scandal
in the little Park avenue church and resigned,
setting UP a religious shop OF his own in the
Academy OF Music.
1t was here that he earned the title Of tho
"Singiny Preacher" It being his custom to lead
the big choir surrounding him on the stage.
Then no got mixed UP in another scandal based,
It was said, on the deathbed statement OF
woman who had been member Of his church.
The Academy meetings were stopped abruptly
and Mr.. Boil disappeared from Brooklyn.
From time to time since then tidings were re-
ceived that he was engaged in missionary work
in England. but he was almost forgotten when
he Unexpectedly reappeared In Brooklyn q few
weeks ago in the r6lo of "a student Of tho oc-
cult" He established himself at 166 State
street, and hung out a shingle describing himself
as an Eastern mystic" He arranged to give
Sunday night talks on occult science and deliv-
cred one lecture at the Criterion Theatre.
Brooklyn, however seems to be q hoodoo for
the Eastern Mystic" for yesterday afternoon
he was marched by Detective Sergeants Roddy
and Harrington from his State street retreat to
the Adams Street Police Court and arraigned
before Justice Brenner as a disorderly person:
The warrant on which he was arrested charged
him with being engaged in the prohibited pur-
suit OF fortune telling. It was sworn out by
Hilda Almgrep OF 141 West 133d street who
Gently for District Attorney Foster l. Backus.
In her affidavit Miss Almgren, who repro
sented herself as Ida Smith. describes her visits
to the State street shrine and her conferences
with Mr.. Bell. She says that he engaged to tell
her fortune for So, and that on day which he
and received n horoscope In writing. The horo'
scope was on the plan Of those sold BY the put.a.
niokelin-the-slot- and get your real-weighta a.
lead pencil and your fortune while-the band
plays machines, but 1t was much moro elaborate
in its predictions.
pleaded not guilty. and was held In 81 900 bail
pending examination to-day. He had to TO
main In a cell for couple or hours before bonds
man turned up and secured his release. 1t Ii
said that ever since his departure from Brook
lyn Bells movements have been closely watched
Immediately after his return the District At
torney was put on his track.
Miss Almgrew also says that Boil told hel
that he could marry her to a dark haired young
man and that by the payment of an additional
$40 he could get some property for her mother
he Is also alleged to have said. "I would charg,
you from $50 to 500 for this"