Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-30
is THE SAGE OF ARU.
A COSMOPOLITAN STORY WITH THE
CHIEF CHAPTER IN VIRGINIA.
A STRANGE RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE.
An EngIishman, who Claimed to BE
the Prince of waIcs's Friend, and
n Great Spiritual Teacher, With
Miraculous Powers.

Mr.. I. f. Thornton. of Fairfax county.
acting as special commissioner of the
queens High Court OF Justice, In Otta-
wa, visited the Capitol Monday on BUSH
ness. from the details of which Dis
patch reporter unravelled story not
unlike many that have originated in the
brain OF writer's of romance.
Mr.. Thornton, acting as the officer OF
the Ottawa court. obtained from Mr..
Lawless. Secretary OF the Commonwealth,
copy of a requisitlon issued by the
Governor Of Virginia In May. 1884, on the
Governor OF New York. for stanton
Howard alias DIR. G. s Howard, wanted
in Fairfax county for obtaining $500
under false pretences. The requIsition
was taken to New York. but as Howard
was not found there no further effort
was made to find him. the Virginia off,
GERS having reason 10 believe he was in
Canada.
A REMARKABLE STORY.
Howard was charged with having Sc
cured 5000, and valuable jewels from n
Mrs, Specht, OF Fairfax county, under
circumstances most unusual. and In some
respects amusing. Mr.. Thornton tells tho
story as follows: Mrs. Specht first met
Howard In st. Louis several years ago.
She and her husband. who was wealthy.
resided In that city, and she became
acquainted with Howard through her
physician, DR.. Niedett. She had been in
i'll health for some time. and. acting upon
the advice of DR.. Niedlett, had Dr. How
ard come to see her. DR.. Howard claimed
to heal by mysterious power, which he
had learned in India, and said he was the
mead OF religious sect which had been
In existence among the Brahmns of In
dla since the infancy Of the human race
He called himself the Sage Of Aru, and
was so called by his followers.
Mrs. Specht became convert to his
beliefs, and though her husband tried by
every means in his power TO dissuade
her, persisted in according to the so-called
rehglous teacher the most implicit ODE
dience.
howard said he was Of the Norfolk
branch of the celebrated English family
of Howards one of whom was the great
admiral of Elizabeth's time. He claimed
to have resided at one time on their
great estate of 10000 acres, i'm the North
or England and TO have held a seat in
the House OF Commons.
TRAVELLED WITH ROYALTY.
He said his first visit TO this country
was when the Prince of Wales visited
American shores, Howard claiming 10
have been i'm the suite of the Duke Of
Newcastle, who accompanied the Prince
Howard said he resigned his seat I'm
Parliament in order to travel in India,
and spent a long period i'm that country.
While there he became interested in the
Brahmins and their creed and spent a
pf In efp ft ,gtl
the result that he became recognized as
one Of the great heads of the system.
He returned to England and then to
this country, and set himself to teaching
the doctrines which he claimed TO have
learned i'm India. Whether he made many
converts is not known, but he made seve-
raj, and over these he exercised the most
absolute influence. According 10 Mr..
Thomtons narrative, he induced two
wealthy real-estate men of st. Louis
Mr. CELSIUS Price and brother-to en-
brace his doctrine and to give him all the
money they had, to be spent in furthering
its propagation.
GOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
Mr.. and Mrs. Specht afterwards re-
moved to Fairfax county. but Howard
came there, too. Mrs. Specht succeeded
I'm inducing her husband to let her have
5000 which she gave to Howard for the
purpose Of establishing. near Gunston
Hall, a college where his doctrines were
to be taught. She is also said to have
given him jewels the value of which
amounted to 4 large sum. Howard Is
said to have lived in great STYLE spend
ing money very freely. A part Of his
establishment were two horses and two
dogs, to which he attached a peculiar
value, according them almost divine
honors. He performed many mysterious
cerempnies, it was said, I'm which the
dogs and the horses took prominent
parts.
Howard spent much of his time in
Fairfax county, but also resided in New
York a great deal. Mr.. Specht finally
determined to prosecute him and had
requiston issued, as stated, with the re-
suit also mentioned.
a SUIT FOR DAMAGES.
Howard has resided i'm Ottawa for
several years and still claims to be the
prophet of Aru. Recently the Evening
Star. newspaper of that city. published
certain statements concerning him, which
caused him TO institute suit for $4,000
damages.
Mr. ThOrnton's object I'm obtaining the
testimony was to have it for use in the
case. which will come to trial in a few
days.