The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-21
Or. Armstrong Accused Of En-
dangsTIng a Girls Morals.
SHE FLED FROM HER HOME.
Mother Defends the Doctor and Richly
Gownsd Women BW Him 0sIIcacIss
Which He Enjtys In jail.

Far Rockaway, n. Y, Feb 21-Dr
John Armstrong. living until his arrest
with Mr.. and Mrs. Harrington, in jamaica
Gloversville. n. Y. to cure the sick, heal
the malned. and. as his admirers add.
raise the dead. is now prisoner In the
Queens County jail.
This vital force healer" as he de-
scribes himself. is charged with endan-
gering the morals OF pretty 15-year-old
Beatrice kirkpatrick, who since she left
her mothers home on Curtis avenue,
Richmond Hill, as she says, 10 escape the
treatment OF her mothers physician"
has been living with Mr.. and Mrs. Harry
M. Wall at 10 Glenada place. Brooklyn.
The complainant has been estranged, from
her mother. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick says
that, though she loves the girl she will
testify i'm favor OF Armstrong, even II
her daughter refuses TO speak TO her.
Armstrong was his own lawyer, when
arraigned in court before Magistrate Con-
norton, and he urged an immediate hear
ing, as his witnesses were all ready to
proceed.
These witnesses consisted OF a half
score OF well gowned and good looking
women, all Of whom are under his care
The prisoner read the charges made
against him by the pretty complainant,
and declared that there was nothing i'm
moral in his methods. except in the eyes
of the impure.
Armstrong; admitted methods OF heal
ing are so peculiar, the magistrate de-
clared, that he was not at all surprised
at the girl for leaving her home to es-
cape them. The alleged doctor talked
freely in court and said that he had sue
cessfully treated more than 80 patients
up the state.
His cures, he said, included cancers,
consumption, pneumonia, nervousness
and many other ailments. He made a pit
iful appeal to Magistrate Connorton to be
allowed TO go TO a drug store TO replenish
his stock of morphine, which he used TO
steady his nerves. Armstrong; vital
force" is transmitted to his patients
through his hands and they are compelled
to disrobe for the treatment Mrs Kirkpat-
rick declares that she was always pres
ent when the treatment was being given
her daughter.
Mother and daughter did not speak in
court this morning.
After the adjournment the women wit
nesses looked well after the comfort of
the prisoner. visiting the stores and res
taurants To procure food and delcacies
for their doctor. lie was unable 10 Sc
cure bail, but was comforted by being
likened TO the early martyrs.
Dr. Armstrong. when seen said These
people who are complaining against me, |
saying my treatment is immoral, have |
not the true feeling OF God In their |
hearts. The fact that ] have cured con- |
sumption and cases OF cancer, which /
these earthly doctors, whose hearts are |
breaking as they see the money going |
from them, had given up as incurable, |
proves that there must be something to
my vital force Nystem.
IL have spent months Of my strength !
and time In an earnest endeavor To train /
students, and give them the power which, |
II seems, is only I'm body. but up to this |
time. l have not found a ma ature positive |
enough TO take the power from me"
When asked To explain what he thought |
the power was, he declared that it was |
like many of the things in the Bible, in /
describable."
IAN | know" he said, as that the
power has been given to me. and that
am devoting my entire energy. In an en-
1eavor TO help my fellow men.
DR.. Armstrong said he would be pre-
pared TO prove TO the magistrate and dis
trict attorney that he was able to do all
hat he claimed, allowing them TO ap-
point their own subjects for the test
they might, II they pleased. put to him.
lie admitted that his most remarkable
lures had taken place I'm his woman pa
tents, explaining this by saying that they
he more readily give in TO his will pow
ar
District Attorney John r. Merrill Is
interested in the case, des-
'ribing it as being one OF the most scan
ielous that have ever been called to his
attention. He says Armstrong will have
O do great deal more than prove that
le can cure. lie will have. IL he wishes
% escape conviction, Mr.. Merrill says 10
how that his methods were not endanger-
ng the morals OF the l5-year-old com
claimant I'm the present case