The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-01
THINKS HE'S A MESSIAH.


ousIy Disappeared From Granville, N. Y.
Five years ago John Evans. a tailor,
found work with Granville IN. Y.)
tradesman. He was a good workman, and
his employer soon had full confidence In
him. Before month the villagers came
10 the belief that he was a curious char
scter. He seldom spoke and answered the
questions of his employer in tho briefest
possible manner. He worked steadily and
told his employer that all the money neces-
eary for him was that sufficient TO cover
th. bare cost OF living. No one knew
whence he came or why he acted so
strangely. He was 40 years Of age and
wore his hair and beard as portraits show
the Saviour 10 have worn his. When he
went to and fro between Munson's hotel
and Mathesons tailor shop, he was the
picture Of humility; his lips moved as II
In prayer.
Ono day In burst Of confidence he told
Mr.. Matheson that he was q second Mes
siah, sent TO earth 10 perform some divine
mission, the exact nature Of which no him.
self did not yet know. Ho said that he
was patiently waiting for divine revela.
ton as TO the character of the mission. Mr..
Matheson, in kindly way, tried to dis
suede the man from thoughts Of this kind,
but Evans said that he was satisfied with
the life he was leading and that he was
only cxemplifying the nature and char
acter Of his divine predecessor on earth.
Munson's hotel was burned two years
ego, and Evans only escaped cremation by
jumping from an upper window. His
spino was severely injured by the fall, and
for three days he refused TO have physi-
clan treat him, declaring that his faith In
divine power was sufficient to restore him
to health. He said shat he hadn't been
sent TO Garth TO die from injuries OF tho
kind from which he suffered. but after the
pain became excruciating he consented to
accept the services OF doctor and soon
was able to be about, but with health
greatly impaired.
His employer noticed that Evans prayed
continuously and learned that his faith In
his divine mission was very much In
creased. He worked steadily and was more
than ever emphatic in his statement that
he wanted no more money for his work
than his menger living expenses.
Several weeks ago his haifueination be-
came more pronounced. The Haystack
mous tain Is three miles from the village
and rises TO an elevation OF about ! 200
feet 1t Is of rock and slate formation,
and Is covered with stunted growth.
Evans has recently made number Of trips
to the highest point on the Haystack.
There he would kindle monster fre,
which could be seen on clear night for
miles, and kneeling by its edge, with
hands clasped and eyes uplifted he would
pray Sometimes be would start for the
mountain-a dreary, toilsome trip-early
In the morning. and not return until long
into the night. He quilted his work In the
tailor shop fortnight ago and devoted his
time exclusively TO trips to the mountain.
Mr.. Matheson tried by gentle persuasion
TO get the man 20 return TO his bench, but
the answer was always firm but hi mble
"No, SIR"
Monday Evans disappeared. A party OF
young men of the village thought that
may be he had died from starvation and
exposure on the Haystack. So they climbed
the peak and investigated Nothing Of
tho man could be found His departure
was as strange as bis coming. New York
Sun.