Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-07-28
JOINED
HOLY
ROLLERS
Murderer Williams Embraces
Faith of Prophet
Creffield

Daniel Norman Williams has be
come a Holy Roller Through the ef
forts of Mrs. j. H. Cross, a prominent
woman of that faith, the condemned
man, awaiting execution for the muir
der Of Mrs. ]. L. Nesbitt and her
daughter. Alma, has become a dis
ciple of the doctrine made famous in
Oregon by Apostle Joshua Creffield
And to Mrs. Cross, his religious tutor,
in his private cell, Williams has vlrt
tualy confessed his crimes.
The confession is not complete.
Though often moved to tears when
urged by Mrs. Cross to confess his
deeds, before all men, as she says
Is required by the scriptures, Williams
would hesitate and finally say he
wanted more time. If he gets no new
trial on mis- appeal to the supreme
court he may speak.
"He tells me that he has confessed
to God" answered Mrs. Gross in re-.
sponse to a question IL begged him
to confess before all men. He was
moved to tears several times by my
entreaties and was evidently in an
awful state OF mental torture. But he
always hesitated. | think he will con.
fess sooner or later, because he ad
mitted to me that he is not saved"
In this city the disciples of Holy
Rollers are known simply as members
of the Mission" The name Holy
Roller" is repugnant to them. Mrs
Cross ia the wife of a prosperous gro
Ger. Her daughter is also a convert
to the doctrines advocated by the pc
cuiar sect. II was shortly after his
trial and conviction that Mrs. Cross
began to visit Williams She was
shown a little more consideration
than others who called to see him by
Williams on the occasion OF her first
visit.
This woman took books and pam
phlets dealing with religious subjects
to the condemned man, however and
in these he soon became much inter
ested. The result was that when she
returned he was in a more hospitable
humor, and the two had a lengthy con.
versation. Since then Mrs. Crops mas
called on Williams on an average Of
twice a week. In fact she Is the only
visitor he has ever consented to re-
ceive. She soon began to urge him
to accept salvation and, between her
arguments and pondering over the re
ligious works given him for perusal,
Williams soon became most piteous
In his manner.
One day last week when ne had
been exhorted to embrace "full and
free saNation,' he broke down and
wept like child, wrung his hands in
anguish, Mrs. Cross says, and moaned
"Oh, am an awful guilty man. have
done some terrible things. But | have
confessed II all to God. believe he
will be mercitul"
MIR. Williams. confession TO God
Is necessary" said Mrs. Cross. "but
YOU should remember that no matter
what you nave done God knows all
about 1t, anyhow What he expects OF
you, in order to be convinced Of your
penitence is that you confess before
all men"
Williams started to dry his tears,
and after a few sobs managed to con.
trol himself, He heaved several long
sighs opened his mouth once or twice
as II to speak, and then hung his
head without saying anything. On be
ing again urged to make a public con.
fecction he replied
II know that am not saved. |
know that ! must do other things. But
vain Many things may happen yet"
Since his conversion Williams has
appeared 10 be in fairly good spirits,
and eats and sleeps well. He Is not
allowed the daily papers, by order
OF sheriff C. Sexton, but is permitted
to have magazine occasionally. and
all the religious books ne wants. He
VIII accept the latter class OF litera.
'ure from nobody but Mrs. Cross.