The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-04-22

! The Rev. Thomas Chalmers Easton, ID. D.
has received word in a letter from Rev.
John H. Barrows, of Chicago, who is now
travelling in India, that John Joseph Nour
! has been restored to his rights as first
| Chaldean prince and patriarch of the
orthodox apostolic church of India.
-Four years ago there arrived in this city
a man, who, 10y his dress, his manner, and
his speech was easily recognized as an
Oriental religious student. The story he
told was not less remarkable than his ap-
pearanCe. He claimed to have discovered
the remains OF Noah's ark on Mount Ararat,
aud also the golden mountains of the moon
in Africa He gavehis name as John Joseph
Nouri and claimed to have been crowned
archdeaoOn of the Chaldean Pontifical
Cathedral at Trichur, Malagar, India, and
that he was therefore ruler over the Syrian
Chaldeans.
Four wears ago he was placed in the
insane as YUM at Napa, Cal and was there
until September, 1893, when through the
efforts Of friends he was restored to liberty
uethea made his appearancefn Washington
where he displayed his knowledge of East
ern hierogiyphics on some tablets with
surprising faClllty.
he was crowned Sovereign Pontiff
Maran Mar John Joseph, the Zanicrin Nouri
the First, Chaldaea Universal Patriarch"
at Trichur, Malabar, India, February last,
aud since that time the papers OF the
country have been filled with many stories
and conjSctures as TO Nouri's sojourn in
America, though the only authentic ac-
count is in the possession OF DR.. Chalmers
EaStOn, OF this city, who las the original
letter 10 him from DIR. BaTrows, of Chi
cago. mentioned in The Times teegrarhic
reports This letter, with the address of
welcome extended 70 Dr. Burrows by Pa
triarch Nouri on behalf of the people Of
Trichur. and a card OF invitation TO the
coronation ceremonies printed in black
and gold, are in the possession OF DR..
EaSton and were shown a Times reporter
last night. DR.. EastOn said that this is
the first time that the letter has been
given out for publication, and also gave
a complete account OF Nouri's experiences
and iIl-treatment in this country.
In telling the story DR.. Easton said that
in 1892 there came to his home in San
Francisco John Joseph Nouri, wearing the
long black dress Of CarmeIite monk He
introduced himself as just from Japan
and mentioned several missionaries who
had suggested hts meeting DR.. Easton when
he arrived in San Francisco on June %,
sa2. As DIR. Eeston knew the missiona-
ries he was led to give credit 60 Nouri's
story. He went to the American Hotel and
secured rooms for him at reduced rates.
He only saw Nouri once after that, aud,
thinking he had left the city, called at the
hotel. He learned that some parties had
called with a wagon and taken him and
all his baggage from the hotel, but where
to Dr. Easton could not ascertain.
At last NOuri was found at place known
as Seal Cove, on the Pacific coast, in san
Mateo county, a rendezvous for horse
thieves, blacklegs and other depraved char
aCterS. Dir. EaStOn found that Nouri had
been lurcd there by DR.. Smith, a charlie
tan, who had persuaded him TO accompany
him on the plea that he would be cured Of
Ills malarial and Indian ship fevers. DR..
Easton Immediately proceeded TO the place,
travelling all day across the mountains, and
found Nouri in a Sickly condition. DR..
Easton said:
He did not inform me that he was held
in duresS, otherwise l would have brought
him home with me. Meanwhile l wrote
Rev DR.. Barrows. of Chicago, sUg gesting
that the Oriental should be heard at the
congress of religions at the Worlds Fair
Arrangements were made for NoUri to APP
pear and represent the Christians OF st.
Thomas, Trichur. India Shortly after my
departure DR.. Smith and wife robbed
Nouri and had him inoarcerated in the
Napa insane asylum as q dangerous per-
son. All his parchments, passports, di-
plomas and credentials were destroyed by
Smith"
A lady visiting Napa asylum secured
Nouri's release, when he again returned to
DR.. Easton's home, in San Francisco, and
awaited remittances from Babylon. While
there 1t was discovered that he could speak
twelve Languages and as many dialects,
and that he was a man OF great refine
ment, His fingers were long and beauti-
fully tapering, and his long hair, hazel
eyes and well-molded features often elic-
ted remarks that he was very much like
the artists ideal Of the Christ.
About this time Dr. Easton came to
Washington. Nouri soon after appeared
here also, and was here about five weeks,
during which time Dr.. EastoH made due
efforts to find out his ecclesiastical stand
ing in Babylon. Mavroyeni Bey, Turkish
minister here at the time, and Patrick Hall,
Turkish consul at San Francisco, regarded
MIN as an imposter. Dr. John Sunberg
United States consul at Babylon, was Cor
responded with and replied that he knew
Nouri's mother resided there. but that her
son John had been travelling for some |
years. and he also doubted the high claims |
made by Nouri. This of course, led Dr. |
Easton TO doubt the man also.
At q meeting of ministers held at the Ar |
in gton Hotel, Nouri, however, proved /
himself to be en- able scholar, and well |
-ersed in the whole history of the Greek /
>hurch. The late Rev. j. owen Dorsey, |
Of the Smithsonian Institution, secured his |
services TO decipher some hieToglyphics on
oriental tablets, which he did with remark /
IDLE ease, and for which he received some /
He then went TO London /
md figured prominently in the London
Times, making the same high preten tons |
hat he had ma de in America.
Dr. Easton then lost all track of him until |