The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-05
VOUCHES FOR
NEAD'S GOOD
REPUTATION
Iowa Soldier Comes
to the Rescue.
KNEW HIM IN SIOUX CITY
HEARD THE EXPORTER AT THE
VOLUNTEER MISSION.
Police of That City Are Satisfied the
Unfortunate Couple Are
What They Claim
to Be.
KNEW HIM IN SIOUX CITY
HEARD THE EXPORTER AT THE
VOLUNTEER MISSION.

There IS a rift In the clouds hanging
ominously over Mr.. and Mrs. j. Nj. Neao'
and through the break there streams d
ray of sunshine, the first that has SHOWN
upon them for many days. Ihere "elo
DEVELOPMENTS in the sensational case yes
terday that gave strong comm ma ~
their statements and promise 10 event.
ually clear away the terrible charges IN
der which they lie, leaving only the scars
and the humiliation of being shameIully
paraded before the public as outcasts OIL
the lowest type.
The following dispatches from SIOUX
City to The Call fully establishes the
identity of Mead and his brother, the
notorious "Billy," and bears out the
suspects story to the letter:
SIOUX CITY, Iowa, Oct. 4.-Since the news Us
was received here of J. NJ Nead's arrest IN
San Francisco. the local police nave peei tb ar
and have practically concluded that the can
fornian is as he claims brother o " in
many transactions together and CONFUSION ~, ue
tween them frequently arose While they hFeu
BILLY" was a short, thick set man with a.
dark complexion, and his wife tan anu POI fa ny
lilies were old residents here, but Wnere 'n nGs
came from before locating in Sioux Clly no oe
no divorced Mrs Mead in town can Albert
Worth be found. though he has been en- l cit1
until recently at oil Ia+fe @'e carrier
Rev g. W. L. Brown was in Sioux City untll
two weeks ago, when he transferred to the
Prospect-ayenue Methodist Episcopal Church at
Connerning 7 NJ Nead's record in the city
tbere is some difference of opinion His credi.
tors say he deliberately defraudeo tnsnh ~, -,
money due them, and the police res4 h SIN SIN
with suspicfon but local members or the sal
walton army say he was unjustly susPefSte 1.
If he is a Clergyman however, he c must nave
been ordained after leaving Sioux CITY,
Mead has not claimed to be a clergy
man merely a licensed eXhorter. Rev. MT
Brown, according to Mead, was pastor os
the First Methodist Episcopal ~ IT, %
Sioux City up to the time ne lele 'heIo'
the two being firm friends go,
Albert Worth was Mrs. Nead's father,
but is dead now Her e,'. mother though
The description of BILLY Mead and his
wife, given in the foregoing dispatch, does
not tally in the least with the couple mere
ance, while blind man could not mis-
take Mrs. Mead for the large, blonde;
middle-aged woman "Billy's wife is SAID
little more than girl in appearance, with
clear, delicate features and brown hair.
But the above dispatch was not the only
ray of comfort that came to the NeadS
yesterday. During the day sergeant
Smith of the Fifty-first Iowa Regiment
Sioux City, called voluntarily on the, cou-
pie at their rooms, 125 Turk street: smith
asked Mead if he remembered him and
being told that he could not smith said
they were holding volunteer missions in
Sioux City. One Sunday night the ex-
photographer heard Mr.. Mead speak and
the address made a deep impression upon
him. 1t was shortly before the departure
of the Neads from Sioux City. Being a
careful observer of people, due to long
experience as a photographer, Smith was
positive the man who stood before him
was the orator he had listened to months
before. He expressed his entire willing
ness to testify in court on their behalf and
to aid them in whatever way he could.
Mr.. Mead also received a letter from
Mr.. Day and telegram from Pierce Rat
lift. president of the Rescue Mission in
Sioux City. The telegram read:
You may say that you and your wife were
regular attendants and members of the Metho
dist Episcopal Church here, and in
cellent standing VIII write.
Mrs. Mead has an aunt living in Santa
Rosa who has been written to, and a reply
is expected which will be used as evidence
of the lady's good reputation. Mr.. Mead
is confident of receiving a statement from
many people in Sioux City signifying their
willingness to make deposition as to his
good character and work there.