The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-08-23
HARTMAN REFUSES TO
EAT WHILE IN PRISON
Peculiar Prisoner In the County jail
Who Says He VIII Fast Until
Death.

Unless Fred Hartman, solder Of the
Salvation Army, recedes from his pres
ent altitude be- will maintain an absO-
lutte fast during his imprisonment IN
the county fail. where he Is serving a
sentence Of twenty-five days imposed
by Justice OF the Peace Brewer Hart
man was convicted of fshIng without
license and II will be recalled that he
created something Of a sensation In the
court room by saying that the law I'M
posing a license on fishermen was in
conflict with the divine laws Of God and
therefore he would not recognize II.
, Hartman mas been a member of the
silyatIon Army for nine years. and II
an enthusiast In the work Of the army.
Contrary 10 tn. general impression. lie
with the salya,ionlsis Is not one con-
tinual round Of soul-sayIng. The mem
bers are obliged 70 earn their own lly-
Ing outside os their religious work un-
less the corps ls IN such prosperous con-
dltlon that the expenses are made out
Of the nightly collections. Hartman re-
fused 20 work for any Of the regular
fishermen because ne was opposed to
laboring on the Sabbath. therefore he
hired a ricke,y boat and several faith
oms Of old ne, and started in alone.
being both glll-netter sni boatman.
On the morning Of July 81 Deputy
Fish Warden Henry Bultman arrested
Hartman. while he was waiting to dis
pos, Of 1ls nIghts catch. which was
mlserably small Hartman was taken
TO the county jail Wednesday morning
Immediately after ris trial and up 10
last nigh: had Absolutely refused to
touch anything In the way OF food. The
regular rations supplied the prisoners
have been offered to Hartman, but he
would not ca, the food. 70 4 reporter
yesterday ne stated that II was not the
quality OF the provender thar be object
II to but the surroundings. He does
no, believe tina; jails are In conform
ance with the divine laws and he re-
fuses TO give them countenance
At each meal time Deputy Sheriff
Young has placed In Hartman's cell the
same menu provided FOR all. Last night
the last meal offered him still remained
untouched. He confessed TO being hun
cry but said that he was In the hands
Of the Lord and would be cared for.
Hartman spends the most Of his time
reading aloud from his bible, which he
has In his hands continually He makes
M attempts 10 proselyte among his fel-
w-prlsone-s, bu, devotes much time TO
praying earnestly FOR those whom he
calls his enemies, ani who are respon-
slble Tor his confinement
To a reporter he said that unless he
received a divine command to eat Jail
food" he would continue his fast and
II II pleased the Lord tha; he should
die in hrlson he would willingly be a
martyr 20 his religious convictions. Yes
,erday afternoon he was doing his share
of the work lrouad the jail that is
divided among the prisoners and while
&, Is not lrdloas laoor Il Is sufficient
exercise % promote a vigorous appe-
tlte. Hartman cane to Astoria from
Portland about six or seven months ago
and has been working a; odd jobs dur
ing the summ'r. He is about 10 years
OF age and talks nationally and with ap-
pareu; sanity except on his martyr-like
conception of his iu,ies to his religion.