The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-07-10

lady from the east, has just arrived OF
the train and reported the loss Of q
small fortune. She was on the regular
overland train and when the sleeping
car n whic:, she had a berth came to a
stop at the Oakland mole, her purse and
all her jewelry were gone She inform.
ed the police that her purse, Containing
s2,70v in greenbacks. two earrings, in
each of which was diamond weighing
two cerats, and a diamond brooch valu-
ed a. $3.50, was taken from under heI
pillow curing the night.
CALL THEMSELVES HOLY ROLLERS
New Religious sect Cutting Capers in New
York city.
Rochester, n. Y, July 9.-Not since
Joseph Smith unearthed the golden tab
lets inscribed with the teachings Of the
Book of Mormon OH Old Blue Hill, near
Palmyra, has this section of the State
been so stirred by subjects pertaining to
religious belief as 1t is at present through
the operations Of band Of zealots call
ing themselves the Holy Rollers" who
have chosen Ontario county as their
| field of Ia Dor. Although the strange sect
that has sprung up in the secluded little
village of Bristol has for months back
been attracting the attention OF all of
| Ontario county and the territory BORDER
! ing the county lines for miles around, it
is only recently that other than vague
rumors Of the doings Of the devotees of
| the new religion have became generally
known.
Without any apparent attempt to es-
| cape publicity, and despite the wide cir
cuiation which rural community az
| fords matters Of unusual moment, the
Rollers have succeeded in setting up
in the green valleys about Bristol an al
tar from which they and their converts
| appeal 10 the Maker Of the universe for
salvation and immunity from a place Of
everlasting damnation, depicted by the
Rollers In 4 more terrible light even
than the conception Of the most intOler-
ant disciples of Calvin.
The original members Of the band are
n. l.. A. Eastman and Emma Chase, the
latter of whom is unmarried and upward
OF 40 years Of age. Eastman's age IS
predetermined Tall, spare, and with a
face slightly bearded, upon which there
usually hovers gentle smile he appears
a, first glance to be well on toward three
score Gray hair, brushed back stiff1y
from a thoughtful forehead, adds to the
semblance Of age. Again, upon witness
ing the mans agile bearing, upright
shoulders and springy gait, one is forced
to the conclusion that Eastman is yet in
his prime.
Eastman and Miss Chase originally ap-
peared in Bristol late last winter. East
man came first and the woman followed
within a month. They took up their
quarters at separate houses. Aside
from the curiosity always aroused in
small village by the advent Of newcom-
ers, the presence OF the pair did not pro-
woke comment from the Bristol people.
Mss Chase gave out that she was a
dressmaker and q milliner. Eastman
said ne was carpenter Neither
evinced a desire to follow their voca-
lions.
Eastman and Miss Chase from the first
entered earnestly into the religious SER
vices held in Bristol and in the vicinity.
The man soon became noted for rs
ability as an exhorter. He was power
fu in prayer. and with tears running
down his cheeks and hands uplifte5
would arouse the religious fervor OF MS
hearers by his appeals 10 the uncon-
verted.
When winter gave way TO spring East
man and Miss Chase Inaugural ted a SER
ies of bush meetings throughout the GEN.
q 1.a .nP
warm wea Their the country folk flocked
20 these assemblages from all parts of
the country. Sunday after Sundey and
night after night Eastman preached and
Miss Chase sang to congregations num-
bering sometimes as many as a tilous-
and people. Eastman would choose a
stump. a dry goods box or whatever hap
pened handy for his pulpit, while his lis
teners ranged themselves about him on
the ground.
Soon after Eastman and hs companion
had gained hold on the people the man
began 10 distribute religious literature
printed on pink paper and literally be-
sprinkled with rough wood cuts repre-
sentirg hell. the devil and other SUBJ
jects appropriate to the text OF his
pEtdciilDSS. men l. reached BrlStOl
late Saturday night I talked with East.
man. The man was fresh from a scene
of religious fervor the like of when II !
is not possible 10 imagine. His eyes
Were shining and seemed to catch but
halfway impression of the objects upon !
which they rested. He trembled like an
ague victim, and marks ot tears were |
on his cheeks. Broken eXc,amations O. |
praise seemed 10 escape .nvoluntarily J
from his lips. His white cotton SKIRT |
was unbuttoned "a ne throat. and be- !
heath could be seen MS chest heaving !
as though he had been running.
AZ the Saturday night service there !
were present five hundred or more OF /
converts. They came from far /
and hear. Some drove from distant /
points II Livingston and Monroe coun- /
ties. Most of the Rollers were prepared |
70 stay over night. as Eastman had an |
an all-day meeting for Sundey. |
Several farmers had brought Their COWS
and pastured them near by. so as 10
avoid the necessity OF returning home
and caring for the cattle.
Shelter for a small percentage Of the
gathering was afforded by a tent 40 BY
80 feet Rough branches were ranged
aoout a raised board platform. upon
which Eastman took his position with a
small Bible in ms hands. BY his side
/