The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-13
Rev. Or. Armstrong Convicted
Of JsspaTdIzIng Girls Morals.
JUDGES WERE LONG UNDECIDED
Young Woman Was Recalled and Admitted
That There Were Immoral Features Con-
nscted With the Treatment

New York, March 13.-Before Judges
Howard J. Forker, John Courtney and
Thomas w. Fitzgerald, In the Court of
Special Sessions in Jamaica. yesterday.
the Rev. John Z.sArmstrong, Ill. d.,
gave a demonstration OF his vital force"
treatment as applied TO his many patients,
but the evidence OF one of them. Beatrice
Kirkpatrick, Is years old, sent him 10 the
Queens County Jail for six months
Neither the accused mans venerable APP
pearance, his crippled leg, nor the tes-
timony OF reputable witnesses who
swore TO almost marvellous cures wrought
by the prisoners treatment. sufficed 10
save him. He was arrested in February
accused of wilfully Jeopardizing the NOR
ais OF Miss Kirkpatrick by his magnetic
treatment
When the judges retired for consulta-
tion. they failed TO agree. and court was
again called to order, Miss Kirkpatrick
under direct questions admitted facts
which she failed TO state I'm her first ex-
animation, and the Rev Dr. Armstrong
was promptly found guilty.
Among the Interested spectators was
Mrs. Armstrong, who left her family in
Gloversville to aid her husband.
Beatrice Kirkpatrick lives with her
mother in Curtis avenue, Richmond Hill.
Joseph A. Kirkpatrick, her father. who
gave his address as Philadelphia, stated
that his daughter was born November "a,
| 1887. Then Miss Kirkpatrick was called.
She wore long black coat and large
hat. which set of her black hair and
deep gray eyes TO advantage She is trim
| and well formed and gave her evidence
in cool deliberate manner.
Miss Kirkpatrick told of meeting Arm
strong at the home OF Mrs. Nellie Har-
rington. of IL North First street. Jamaica.
| She began taking treatment from him
about Oct. ] OF last year.
| She said she received the treatment
| clad only in her night gown. and upon
| several occasions was entirely disrobed.
| The treatment consisted in DR.. Armstrong
| placing his hands on her body, begin
ming generally at the base of the brain
| and gradually extending down the en-
| tire body.
| Armstrong never offered an improper
| suggestion. she testified. and she was
| greatly benefited by his treatment.
| e c. Harrington, husband OF Mrs. Mel
| lie HARRINGTON stated that Armstrong
had been guest at his house from Oc-
| tober last to the day OF his arrest. Arm
| strong, attired in semi-cerical garb, gave
| his testimony in direct, convincing man
| ner and demonstrated on his own person
what he meant by imparting vita
| force
| He treated Miss Kirkpatrick, he said
| at her mothers solicitation. He found In
, Miss kirkpatrick. he said, congestion
/ OF the spinal cord two inches below the
| base OF the skull which he relieved by
| manipulation and then restored her gen
| eraI health, with the effect that she re-
| turned to school after years absence on
| account OF III health.
Nicholas E Theil. a newspaper mana
| ger. living at 3l5 Franklin street, Brook
| lyn: Harry r. Wood OF 42S Hancock
| street. and Robert Goodwin. OF 45l Han
| cock street. Brooklyn, testified OF re-
| markabie cures Armstrong had made.
! After Armstrong; conviction Mrs. Har-
| rington and Mrs. Kirkpatrick who were
| arrested In connection with the case, We're
| arraigned. One of the justices remarked
| You women are the foundation OF al
| this abuse.
District Attorney Merrill asked 10 with
| drew the complaint again the women
| Judge Forker alone dissented.
| Armstrong was taken back 10 the
| Queens County jail