The Washington herald., 1906-10-13

minister and evangelist, tried 20 convert
himself into a prisoner in the brig at the
navy yard yesterday. He claims he is
"A deserter from the navy. After half a
days work, when he was at last on the
Threshold OF the goal-and the gaol-of
his ambitions. ne found it was after
ONCE hours. So he was told 10 come
around and Try again III the morning,
which he viii do at O'Clock to-day
In the meantime he is looking for tele-
grams Of coincidence from Louis A.
Gourdain, who has been trying in vain
10 break into the prison at Joliet, Ill,
with no better results.
Having escaped from a detective who
had arrested him by jumping OF the train
AZ JoFnstoWn, Pa. and having come di-
rect TO Washington alone, the Rev Mr..
SIayton thought there would be no difl-
Guilty in being accommodated with lodg-
iEgs n q cell. But he was misled by
his enthusiasm.
YO Hope from BonHPnrte.
AfteR having duly announced his inten-
tions 10 an afternoon newspaper, the
evangelist waited upon Secretary Of the
Navy Bonaparte and humbly begged that
he befput under arrest as yeoman who
had deserted from the Atlanta in 1892
He was accompanied by the Rev. J. NJ
Little, commander Of the Gospel Army,
and his spiritual adviser, Commander Lit
tie was in fun-dress uniform
The Secretary, however. was going out,
and didn't have time TO attend 10 the
matter but he thought Assistant SeCre-
taTy Newberry would be able 10 accom-
modate Rev. Mr.. Slayton.
llr. Newberry received the minister-de-
-eGteF, but he too was obliged 10 apollo
size. He really wasn't able to perform
The ceremony. Mr.. Slayton was asked 70
step down the hau and see Lieut. Com
uaHder Henry B. Wilson, Of the Bureau
ot Navigation.
Mr. Slayton was willins 10 obliSe. His
enthusiasm never deserted him for q mo-
nent Surely this time he would succeed.
Tie did 10 Q certain extent He got per
mission from Lieut. Commander Wilson
10 take a ride on the cars 10 the navy
ward and present himself To the COM
maHdant, Capt LeUtze.
Ray of Light at Last.
Tlis kindly concession raised the hopes
ot the earnest seeker after u cell Com
uanGeF Little was jubilant
"Xouu set in all right this time he
said, ia tie way Of cheerful encourage
nsnt TO his charge.
But il Was not to bc-yet
Capt. Leutzs was busy. and the chief
clerk heard AIr. Slaytcu's appeal. He
carefully considered the matter while the
evangelist read the account of his
troubles IN an afternoon paper. Finally.
after telephouiC consultation. the chief
clerk announced that Lieut. Commander
Rust ia charge OF the seaman's quarters.
would welcome The woJld-be prisoner.
Jim" an Office attendant of African
descent Was made the prisoners guard,
and the march was resumed.
The almCsJ-pris0uer was Ushered into
the presence of Lieut. Commander Rust,
and the examination begun.
when aid you desert?'
In lSS9, came the eager response from
Rev nj SlaytCn.
.VEhat2 SIX years ago. I don't think
I-lsVe any right TO hold you, said the
of-icer
KopeIessIy shut Out OF Prison.
SIayton's face grew long while The navy
equations were consulted Actual dis
appointment showed itself in every line
EuJ the statutes afforded 10 consoIa- I
lion. Slsyton's term OF enlistment was
Up in 1893, and the statute OF limitation
got its worl. In q year ago.
The lieutenant commander was sog5Iy
pcrp.ez=d. He tried TO get in touch with
Lieut.. CommaEder Wilson. but the latter
lad gone home. Il was after Office hours
and there was no way 90 open the doors
VI The brig fOI 1Ir Slayton.
''Eou can stay around here tonight. if
YOU wish. Lually said the officer. but the
Invitation was extended in what seemed
"a bgIudging tone.
Rev Mr SiayJ-n was embarrassed. He /
didn't want to force himself upon the
hospitality of tile government. Then he
had an inspiration
Wei. they let me come down by my
self from the Navy Department Why
ran't,I come around here in the morn
ing? I'll be here sure at 8 o'clock" he
pleaded
Lieut. Commander Rust grasped al This
solution CI tls difficulty. He gave his as
-sH- QuIcEIy
"HaueIuj4h, HaHaIujah," shouted Com
WILdcr Little.
Amen" responded the Rev. Mr.. sIay-
Ion
And they departed forthwith for the
home OF the Rev Mr. Little, at I14 c
street
Last night. Ar. SIayton consoIed him
self for his disappointment in not being
able to hold solitary devotions in a cell
at the navy yard by ufting up his voice
In exhorJatiou and prayer alongside
Commander Little and the other mem
bers OF the Gospel Army al the market
house.
The Cause of It All.
Ike many another. the Rev. Mr. Slay-
ton. who is pastor Of church at Myers
dale. Pa. blames woman for all his
trouble.
Slayton says he is a son of Brig. Gen.
James r. SIayton, who was a notable
nEUrc during the civil war. His story
is generally believed He arrived in
Cleveland when be was seventeen years
old, and the woman arrived about the
same time Her name Is one of the few
things Slayton refuses 70 tell
Although she was twelve years his
senior and the mother Of several chill
dren. she began 70 show st deci ed par
TALLY for his company SlJytrn did not
enjoy his position. and TO escape the en-
tangiemeut enlisted in the navy in 1888
at Cleveland, and after being examined
at Norfolk ana made g yeoman, was as
signed Tor duty on the Montgomery, and
after that vessel Went out of commi7
sion was transferred 10 the Arl7nt1. He
Eot q FIVE days leave of ab ence, ani
then asked his sister Mrs. Z. II. Fatt,
- Washins, on to set ten days ex-
tension for him.
In the meantime he went 10 Buffalo.
and not hearing from Mrs Fatt, con
cluded she had failed. th't ne was al
ready deserter, and stayed away be-
yoEd the ten days which had ac ualIy
been granted him. He was caught, court
martialed, and given years sentence.
which was fnaIly commuted 10 three
months Stavfo0 SAYS Senator Hanna ala