Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-30
JERNEGAN BEGGED
That His Identity Be Not Exposed in
the Philippines.

Rockland, Me-, Nov. 29.-One Rock
land man was not surprised by the an
nouncement that Rev. Prescott F. Jer-
tnegan is teaching school in the Philip
| pines. DR.. Ernest H. Wheeler, who
served two years in Luzon as army
surgeon, met Jernegan while stationed
in Santa Cruz, province of Ilccos Sur
He was aware of Jernegans identity,
and this knowledge also came to the
school authorities in time; but Jerne-
gan pleaded so earnestly, and protested
that he was only trying to earn an
honest living, that he was permitted to
retain his position.
| When DR.. Wheeler left the Philip
pines in January, 1903, Jernegan was
still teaching in Bigan, about 300 miles
from Manila, and he somewhat doubts
that Jernegan has ever reached the
| Philippine metropolis.
DR.. Wheeler describes his meeting
with the Eastport saltwater gold man
to the Globe correspondent as follows:
I'm June, 1901, while 1 was stationed
at Santa Cruz, Mr.. George, the super
intendent of schools in that district,
came there inspecting buildings and
making arrangements for the distribu-
ton of the 500 teachers who subse-
quently came from the United States.
With Supt. George was an American,
whom he introduced as Mr.. Jernegan,
one of his teachers at Bigan, the head
of the district. The name attracted
my attention Immediately, and there
arose in my mind review of the great
swindle by which Jernegan deluded
, innocent spectators into the belief
that he was extracting gold from sea
water at PASSPORT, Me.
Among the teachers who arrived a
few weeks later was a Boston Univer-
sity graduate named Albro. l asked
him il he knew Jernegan, and his an
swer was confirmation of my sus-
picions. He said that he met Jernegan
at the teachers mess table, and asked
questions which revealed to Je'iegan
that his identity was known. He
epieaded riteously with Albro not to
reveal the secret
He had particular reason for not
wishing to have the truth known at
that time, for he was a candidate for
superintendent OF the district, know
ing that Mr.. George was about to re-
sign. He was also posing as minister
and delivered an address on the occa-
sion Of the Mckinley memorial SER
Wees. In the course of his prayer Mr.
Jernegan said: o Lord, l hope you
will rise to this OCCASION and through
[out the island this unusual supplica-
|61on became standing joke.
u "Jernegan did not get the superin-
Ftendent's berth, but he did get posi-
zion as deputy superintendent. Mean
time his history had become known 10
the school authorities. who yielded t.
his entreaties to be kept in service,
feeling that no particular harm could
come from their silence
During the vacation Jernegan and
some of the other teachers came to
northern LuZon, where / had meantime
gone with the soldiers who were
guarding the mines. Jernegan seemed
to be endowed with the gold fever, and
was constantly urging the other teach
ers to push farther north where the
richest mines were reputed to be. His
companions were cautious, however,
and finally Jernegan departed alone.
taking a Filipino pony and a blanket
His mania for gold was the subject OF
much comment upon the part of all
who came in contact with him. His
visit to the mines was unproductive,
as far as any of us could see, although
he staked several claims
How Jernegan reached the Philip
pines none of us ever knew, but he
was apparently reduced to poverty
when he arrived. He was clad in a
suit of cheap Chinese khaki, and his
stockingless feet were encased in a
pair of shoes WHICH had seen many
better days"