The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-20
CITY NEWS.
AN ERRATIC GENIUS
Henry Austin Adams, Who Disap-
peared Last Year, Now in
New Zealand.
he Was Brilliant Intellectually and
Had Lectured Several Times
in Minneapolis.

Henry Austin Adams, the once promin-
Ont New York Episcopalian minister who
created stir turnout the United States
several years ago by announcing his con-
version to the Roman Catholic church,
and who mysteriously disappeared in the
height of his later popularity, has been
heard from again Under the name Of
Wilfred West he is now in New Zealand.
He has written former friends among the
clergy for financial assistance, explaining
that he Is destitute and dying. That his
life is nearing an end Is doubted by others
in position to know, according to the
New York Herald.
After his conversion to the Catholic
church, Adams toured the United States
in behalf of that denominations He was
most eloquent and logical speaker and
his lectures on Catholicism were highly
commended. He appeared twice in Min
neapolis--the last time about a year ago
and made many acquaintance here by
Whom he Is yet we'll remembered.
Prominent Figure.
After Identifying himself with the elder
church, Adams remained prominently in
the public eye, attracting attention to
himself in various ways. He was respon-
sible for the change Of faith of several
OF his wealthy women parishioners of the
Episcopal church.
In 1895 he took an active part in ma
tional politics, touring eastern states in
the interests of the Business Mems Sound
Money League and arousing great enthu-
siasm by his magnetic personality and
great eloquence. He lectured later thru
the country under the auspices of the
knights of Columbus, sharing the forum
with w. Bourke Cockrane, John A. De-
laney and Bishop Spaulding.
Austin, who was born in Cuba, was a
singularly precocious youth. At - years
OF age he entered Trinity college, Hart
ford. He early manifested great in
terest In religion, being particularly at
tracted toward the mysticism Of the east.
After serving several pastorates with dis
tinction, he went to New York in 1885
as assistant to DR.. Dix at Trinity church,
and soon afterward was Gale to ST.
PauPs, Buffalo, at $4,000 year. In the
height of his popularity in Buffalo he dis
appeared, the explanation being given
that, finding Himself overworked, he had
, gone to Cuba to recuperate.
He was next heard of as rector of the
Church Of the Redemer in New York
city where he repeated his successes, at
tracing instant attention by the an
nouncement that he surrendered $4,000 a
year In Buffalo to accept $1,000 where he
was most needed.
He professed belief in the original rit-
ual OF the mass, which he said each day
He heard confessions, burned incense and
In public worship used vestments, lights
and crosses. On Trinity Sunday 1893, he
preached a sermon in bitter denunciation
OF Catholicism. The next July, amid tears
and lamentations, he announced that he
could no longer deceive himself. Though
1t broke his heart to sever old associations.
he felt impelled by a divine force to de-
clare himself a Roman Catholic. He had
a way of preaching himself into the hearts
of the generously inclined and was contin-
ually receiving liberal financial assist
Ance. t.-
Ills letter, announcing his change in
faith was a remarkable document and a
religious storm broke over the country fol-
lowing It's publication
Mr.. Adams showed his rsatility as
priest, lecturer, novelist and finally as
dramatist, Richard Mansfield having been
persuaded to purchase one of his plays
and negotiated for six others.
1.-THE Mystic Soul"
The underlying cause Of Adams latest
phase is believed to have been woman
1t was while lecturing at the SUNNI er
school at Harper's Ferry in 1901 that he
met young woman then only II years of
age. to whom he afterwards referred as
stefan" and 1.-The Saint The daughter
of a family of wealth and social position,
she became an ardent admirer of the bril-
liant lecturer. This plea sed Adams, who
concluded that the child was "precocious.
He always admitted that his love was
that Of a father for his daughter-the re-
gard of one genius for another.
The Child" with the mystic soul fol-
lowed him to New York and her presence
there In the winter of 1901 and 1902 caused
considerable comment among friends of
the Adams family. To show that his at
tentions to the young woman had been
inspired by the purest love motives, Adams
wrote remarkable novelette, entitled, MY
Client VS.. The People," In this publica-
ton he undertook to show that no wrong
could be done by two persons whose love
for each other was pure.
Adams disappeared again in August,
1902. The whereabouts Of the girl, who
disappeared at about the same time, are
unknown.
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