The Washington times., 1906-06-14
Induced by Blue Uni
forms to Enlist in
Navy.
SEASICK, THEN H0MESICK
After Leading Exemplary
Life for Three Years, Now
Carolinian Is Arrested.

GREENyILLE. S. c., June 1.-The
case OF Re-. ]. Matthew Fortner, who
was arrested last Thursday on the
charge of desertion from the United
States Navy. has created one of the
biggest sensations in this part Of the
State for many years.
For three years or more this young
minister Of the Gospel has been preach
ing and teaching in this county and
the adjoining county of Pickens. his
home. Last fall he matriculated as a
student at Furman University. the Bap-
tist- male college for the State. and i'm
pressed everybody there with his devo-
tion 10 the cause and his diligence as a
student Prior TO his registration at
Furman he had been ordained a regu-
lar minister Of the Baptist Church in
Pickens county. The ministerial board
of the university. which is appointed
for the purpose Of lending aid to stu
dents studying for the ministry, took
Fortner under its wing. and he was one
OF their banner men during the last
scholastic year.
Preached Twice a Month.
While at college. Fortner preached
regularly twice a month at the Baptist
church in the Monaghan Mill village,
just out Of the city limits. He also
preached at the MCGEE mill Every
where he was looked upon as a devout
worker
Then came his arrest. The young
man had completed his college work for
the year. and had secured a position as
clerk in one Of the local stores He was
engaged in performing his new duties
when one of the members of the city
police force walked in. produced a war
rant from the Bureau Of Navigation in
Washington and arrested him on the
charge OF desertiOn-
at Is Gods Will
The young preacher took the arrest
calmly. saying. 1T is Gods will" He
was carried TO Norfolk. Va, by the
chief Of the local police Saturday and
turned over to the authorities on the
Lancaster. from which ship he deserted
four years ago.
Formers story is in many respects a
remarkable one. 1t is also another eX-
ample Of a green country boy being
misled by the alluring promises of re-
cruiting officer
Born on a farm in Pickens county. OF
a very good family, the lad was quite
ambitious TO secure an education He
worked on the farm and then went 20
Pelzer. $. c. where a big cotton mill is
located. He entered the mills. but soon
found that he could not make enough
a
which to go to college
Enlisted as Sailor.
One day he and a cousin. who had
been companions all their lives, came
TO Greenville on "A visit. All over the
town were posted the notices of the
location Of the navy recruiting Office
There were pictures of smart young
sailors, dressed in beautiful blue uni
forms, with directions to apply to the
recruiting officer for full information
The lieutenant in charge was a great
talker. and before long Fortner and his
cousin were sailors FOrtner was tod
that promotion was rapid. and he be
1ieved that by the time his four years
enlistment term was up he would be In
possession of a good fund with which
10 90 to college.
The Greenville recruits were sent to
the training station at Beaufort s. c.
and then sent on their first cruise 20
Norfolk on the Lancaster. Fortner
grew terribly Seasick passing Cape Hat
teras: and by the time Norfolk was
reached he was homesick also He
found out then that he would not be
able to save enough money to go to col
1ege even II he worked as a sailor for
ten years. So he made up bis mind TO
clear out on first shore leave. And he
did
Leaving Norfolk he came South. and
went TO Gainesville. Ga, where he
ried. but did not tell his wife that he
was n deserter. Fortner later returned
TO MS home In Pickens county.
One day while in a small village near
his home. the town was almost wiped
ont by n terrible cyclone. and Fortner
saw in the tempest the hand of God, and
became a Christian. He taught school
for while, and then began to preach.
1t is needless TO say that a host or
friends are working for him The presi-
dent and members Of the Furman fac
ulty have united in a strong plea for
the young man. Practically every citi-
zen in the citv of Greenville and sur
rounding country have signed a peti-
ton asking the President to pardon him
The President has already refused to
do anything in tie matter until the case
has been tried by court-martial. Fort
ner is physically unfit for service in the
navy now. and II e people here take tt4
position that inasmuch as he has Iived
an exemplary life since deserving the,
navy it would not be justice ID
send him to prison for long term.