Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-09
WHEELER ARRESTED.
Taken in oriI|a, Can., and Will
Be Extradited.
Had a Long Career as Advent Preacher
in Maine and Elsewhere.
Indicted for Obtaining Under False
Pretenses from Woman,

Laconia, N. H, Nov 8.-Acting under
instructions from City Marshal Scott
of this city, person passing by the
name Of DR.. A. Judkins, was arrested.
Saturday, in Orilla, Can, by the police
of that place. and is now awaiting fur
ther action on the part of the United
States officials. The man Judkins.
Chief Scott claims, is none other than
the Rev. Asaph J. Wheeler, formerly of
this city, once prominent in New Hamp-
SHIRE as an Advent clergyman, and for
several years located at Concord, where
he gained no little notoriety through his
connection with the State Law and Or
der League, of which he was the secre-
tary and prosecuting officer.
Asaph j. Wheeler was indicted at the
August, 1909, term of the district court
Tor the state of Iowa, at Marshalltown
Marshall county, the indictment being
dated Sept. II, 1903. The indictment
charges Wheeler with having obtained
the sum of $1,000 by false pretenses from
Caroline Strain of LIE Grand, Ia, on or
about Feb. Is, 1903.
The substance of the allegation is
that Wheeler, with intent to defraud
Caroline Strain, falsely represented
to her that he possessed good credit and
considerable property, including 900
shares in company which manufac-
tured and sold a positive cure for cam
Ger, that he was the discoverer of the
remedy and needed $1,000 to secure the
controlling interest in the company
that upon these representations Caro-
line Strain gave him $1,000, all she pos
sessed.
Wheeler, although only 80 years of
age, has had a career filled with stir
4 ring incidents. Born as twin in Garth
J age, Me-, the son OF Rev. John 10. and
Rethiah d. Wheeler, he entered the
ministry of the Second Advent denomi-
nation at the age of 10, with only COM
mon school education. He was nat
ural born orator and was Immediately
successful.
His first pastorate was over the Sec
0nd Advent church at Lakeport, N. f.,
in 1873. While there he met Miss Lois
T.. Plummer of that place, a native Of
MoultonbOrc., Wheeler remained In
Lakeport about a year, and then ac-
. cepted the passionate of a church in New
Is Haven, Conn. While there he was mar
4 ried to Miss Pltlminer on July ~, 1885;
at I.akeport, his father being the off,
ciating = clergyman, the bride being
eight years his senior, s4l
Wheeler. reniained in. New Haver
] some four years. his pastorate being a
brilliant success. ..a
About 1883. Mr.. Wheeler accepted cali
gtqs4fes Center street Second Advent church
oE Concord. There heagas located seven
or eight years, He atonce became9very
popular and began tn aubicationso Of a
religious raK aklne ~ ztisd the Christian
Reporter, weekly. "A s. HI assistant in this
work he had William Churchill of
Craigecare, N. ",
His Concord pastorate, commenced with
such brilliant PROMISE, ended after three
and one-half years, because of charges of
improper conduct. The Church conducted
N hearing and dismissed him.
For some time prior to this Wheeler
3 had been prominently connected with the
\ cause 81 Temperance. and had gained
reputation as a temperance orator. At
the time Of his dismissal from the pas
tafate of the Concord church the Law and
4 Ofd$& league of New hampshire, recog-
nizink xAeeler's ability. elected him sec
rctary,a ana Tor four years or more Wheel
eraaleiy u HI dGai Office of secretary and
ikeseo,tfn y officer Of the league In this
position lie won much neto,iety by his
Vigorous and, fearless prosecutions all
Ii, 1886 the finances OF tho organization
luck In prosecstionss ard from other
causes The executive committee decided
It was not adrisahlp to pay Wheeler the
less he could make the receipts pay the
bills. In June Wsheefer was deposed as
secretary He went to the home of his
parents in West Leeds Me, where he re-
manned for some months
Wheeler was next heard of rs pastor of
the Second Advent church in Auburn, Me.
For a time he was popular. both as pas
tor and preacher. and he remained in Au-
burn some two years or more when his
pastor ate ended as in Concord.
While in Maine Wheeler retained his
connection with temperance work. At one
time he was sent to Europe as a delegate
TO an international convention of the |. o.
G. r. After the ending of the Auburn
nostorate. Wheeler began TO devote his
entire energies to temperance work lie
established home first in Bridgeport, CT.
and later in Craigeclare. n. Y. at which
place, town of some 500 population i'll
sullivan county, his home now is. Beside
n wife he has two daughters, one about
Is and the other l. years of age.
Word was received here. tonight that
the governor of Iowa had requested the
authorities in Washington to grant en-
tradition papers for the return of Wheel
err to Iowa.