Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-07
Tama and Toledo People
Thought They We're En-
tertaining an Angel
NOW THEY HAVE AWAKENED
Man Styling Himself as a Singing
Evangelist and Signing His Name F..
A. Marson Had Good Time on His
Nerve-came Near Being Arrested
Now in Cedar Rapids.
9ecial to Times-Republ,cans

Tama, Jan. 7.-Tama and Toledo peo-
pie are just beginning to realize that
they We're entertaining an unusual
guest during the holidays. He signed
himself II. A. Marson, and claimed to
be a singing evangelist. In the light of
subsequent events it would appear that
Marson was a wolf In sleeps clothing
The matter has been Kept rather quiet
but the News this week published an
account of his doings that may give him
some unsolicited notoriety not to his
liking. 1t is said Marson is in Cedar
Rapids having the same kind of good
time among church folk he did here.
The News says:
F. A. Marson came to Tana Saturday
night. Dec. 20. He was met at the
depot by a porter who conducted him to
the Clifton hotel, where he was given
one of the best rooms. His luggage
consisted of the following books: one,
Hymns of Faith and Praise" one,
Praises and Promises" one, Hymns
New and Old" one. The Revival No.
3" and one. THE Century Gospel
Songs" He said he would have more
baggage by the next train. and that
he would look after it himself. In
few days he asked Landlord Finch If he
could take care of his colored valet who
was at Cedar Rapids, as he was used to
having his servant with him. Mr.. Finch
said that he would accommodate him in
some way. He wrote to at least one
minister in town before coming to
Tama. that he was a singing evangelist
and requested the minister to call on
him at the hotel as he would like to
arrange to sing at his church. AT least
two ministers called on him and he
called on all the ministers here and
dined with Rev. Drury in Toledo. His
religious tenets always agreed with the
minister with whom he was talking.
To all he had the same story (religious
tenets excepteD which he publicly ex-
pressed in the very center of the Chau
tauqua meeting at the Methodist
church Sunday night, just before he
took part in singing the beautiful evan
gelistic song. mo Not One" He was
a very pathetic singer. 1t is said tears
=
Mayor Ahlbrecht, Editor Wonser
and F. w. Brokhausen. vice president
of the Chautauqua association, while
the four ministers OF the town and the
congregation were entranced as tho
Watts grand old hymn was Just then
finding realization in Tama as all sat
as Evangelist 60 Marson and the choir
were endeavoring to charm them away
from the sordid things of earth and sing
them Away to everlasting bliss"
Mr.. Marston claimed to have num-
Der of plantations near New Orleans
which he had inherited from relatives.
He wished to employ overseers, teach
ers and, II possible, a missionary. He
was interested in solving the negro
question along the lines which Booker
T. Washington is following. He sue
ceeded in employing one overseer here
and one teacher near Tama. He offered
to pay one mans debts and as evidence
of his good faith drew a check on the
Cedar Rapids National bank for $500.
He went TO Goldberger, the tailor and
ordered a suit Of clothes for the over
seer whom he had employed. one of the
business men of Tama standing good
for the pay. The check was presented
at the First National bank for payment
by an attorney. The bank officials tele-
phoned to the bank at Cedar Rapids.
who telephoned back that they did not
know such man and to have him
arrested at once. Mr. Marson. finding
the scheme to get 500 did not work
jumped on the first train going east and
has not been heard from since. He
neglected to pay for the suit of clothes
at the tailor's and his board at the
hotel, but he left his church hymnals at
the hotel. We understand that Mr..
Marson has been an inmate of the state
penitenttary. Whether this is true or
not it is fact that he should be in the
penitentiary now.
Mr.. Marston is a sleek citizen and
lived high in Tama and Toledo for
week or ten days. He ate Christmas
turkey with the very best and lived on
the fat of the land without one cent of
expense to himself. Those wishing
copy of Evangelist Marson's Sacred
Hymns" can get copy at the Clifton
hotel. Those wishing to correspond
with Mr.. Marson should address him at
Augusta, Maine, as that is the address
,yrittan On fha bofal ,.a ist