Evening star., 1898-08-25
SERVING TIME IN PRISON
Rev. Harrison, Under the Name Of Nor
rison, Convicted of Crime.
Was Formerly Pastor of Peoples
Tabernacle In Southeast Washing-
ton-His Career in England.


that the Reverend Mr.. Harrison, who
was for some time pastor of the Peoples
Tabernacle, on 11th street southeast, and
who left Washington under cloud. is now
serving term in the Manchester, England,
Jail or workhouse for swinding.
1t will be remembered by the readers of
The Star that Mr.. Harrison came to this
city, as he alleged, from Texas, where he
claimed to have been a very successful
evangelist and church builder. 1t will be
further recalled that soon after his arrival
here he made the acquaintance Of Mr.. W.
l.. Bruen, a well-known banker, who was
desirous of founding church in Southeast
Washington. Mr.. Harrison convinced Mr..
Bruen that he Qdarrtson) was just the man
needed to successfully carry out his project
and Mr.. Bruen employed him at a salary of
$50 a month to superintend the building of
the proposed church. Mr.. Bruen had the
most implicit confidence in Mr.. Harrison
and lntrusted him with the money to pay
all bills in connection with the enterprise
So far as the public have learned there
was not a breath of suspicion that Mr.. Har-
rison was not acting honestly until he sud
denly disappeared from Washington, his
wife and son following him shortly after
ward
This led to investigation by Mr.. Bruen,
and he learned to his amazement, that
Harrison had robbed him of a sum of
money said to be about $1,000 which Mr.
Bruen had given him to pay for work and
material used in the erection of the build
ing, but which Harrison appropriated to
his own purposes.
Inquiry Leads to Detection.
Although repeatedly urged by friends to
take steps to apprehend Harrison, Mr..
Bruen refused to do SO, and no more was
heard from Harrison until short time ago
when letter was received by a prominent
minister of this city from a minister of the
same denomination in England asking for
information regarding a man who called
himself Morrison. but who 1t was believed
on the other side of the ocean, was sailing
under false colors. Various details related
IN the letter led the Washington preacher
to believe that the Morrison in England
and the Harrison who had swindled Mr..
Bruen were one and the same Individual
and photograph and minute description
of Harrison were forwarded to the English
preacher.
A reply to the letter last referred to has
been received here, and in this it is stated
that Morrison answers in all particulars to
the photograph and description of Harrison.
II is further stated that some months ago
Morrison, or Harrison made his appearance
In London, where he'created quite a favor
apie impression among some of the leading
church workers of the English capital, and
1t was not long before he was placed In
charge of church. He continued to pros
per, but was not satisfied with his accom-
plishments in the local field and went to
Manchester Here he became acquainted
with some Of the principal people of the
city and caused it to be said that he was
the son Of an American millionaire who
was about to open three missions in Man.
chester. To one gentleman he offered to
give the superintendency of the work In
tnat city. provided the gentleman would
give him $780, which the former did
Falls in Love.
He made his home in London, but his
visits to Manchester were very frequent
and he became madly in love with a promi-
nent young lady of that city, and the day
for the marriage was set. Meanwhile, how
ever, stories affecting the so-called evan
gel1sts moral character were circulated,
and an investigation followed, as above
stated, the result of which was that the
former preacher was arrested, convicted
and sentenced to nine months imprtson-
ment at hard labor in a Manchester Jail or
workhouse.
Since his confinement in the English pris-
on 1t has been learned that after landing in
England he represented himself to be au-
uhor1zed to collect funds in aid of the Tay-
lor University, at Marion, Ind, an insti-
tuition which is under the auspices of the
local Methodist Episcopal Preachers Asso-
ciation of America. 1t is said that Nor
rlson. or Harrison, visited many places for
the purpose of collecting money for this
university, and 1t Is believed he secured
some funds. how much is not known. and
the authorities of the institution will take
no steps to ascertain the amount.
Chip of the Old Block.
1t Is remarkable coincidence that Jo-
seph Harrison. son of the former Wash
ington preacher, has just confessed to a
robbery committed by him at Marion Ind.
The young man was a canvasser for a
house that enlarges pictures. According to
his confession, the particulars of which
were received here yesterday, Harrison
called upon a lady and while talking to her
about his business told the lady that he
was thirsty and asked her IL she would not
get him a drink. While she was out of the
room Harrison stole solid gold ring which
lay ON stand. When charged with the
theft after his arrest for robbing another
party, Harrison confessed and claimed that
he wanted the ring for his wife, to whom
he was married in Marion. about a month
ago. 1t is said that after the father of the
young man fled from this country to Eng
land the son entered school at Taylor Uni
versity for the purpose of studying for the
ministry, and until recently was a pupil
there.