Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-14
PREACHER THOUGHT
TO HAVE EL0PED
CONTINUED from Page One,

CONTINUED from Page One.>
really believe it. I wondered from time
to time what could have changed him
so, but hoped and prayed that he would
in time become himself again.
Tells PitiabIe Story
"The last few months he has been
staying out late nights, and several
times I questioned him. He always
answered me harshly. I know that he
went often to the theaters, and 1 sup
pose it was with this woman. I often
implored him for the children's sake
to try to come back to the old home
life, but during the last year he has
avoided all of us, and when he has not
been out he has shut himself in his
study.
although know little of my hus-
bands antecedents before 1 married
him, he often talked of being on the
stage, and the woman he is now with
probably is an acquaintance of those
days"
Mrs. Newcomb could not recall hav-
ing heard the name of the woman, but
said she had heard her husband speak
of woman with a name similar to
Graham" and supposed 1t might be
the same one.
case as soon as Newcomb's flight had
become assured but all clews followed
last night were fruitless.
Spirits Child Away
Newcomb is said to have assisted his
sister, Mrs. Albert Elliott, to kidnap
her 9-year-old child, Vonciel, four
months ago. Mrs. Elliott was divorced
from her first husband, William Mosely,
four years ago, but she was not given
the custody of her child. She married
again and lived at Montecito with her
husband.
Newcomb according to Mrs. New
| comb, assisted her in spiriting the child
away in an automobile from Tehachapi,
where she was living with her father.
Rev. Mr.. Newcomb was popular in his
church until the gossip regarding him
| spread through his parish. OF pleasing
appearance and eloquent and conyinc-
ing in the pulpit, he won his congrega-
tion readily when he first went to
Hollywood. He was energetic and re-
sourceful, and increased the revenues
of the church through activity in pro-
noting different church business enter
prises. Socially he was a pronounced
success. An accomplished singer and
musician, he was in demand at all
church gatherings. He had won medals
the choir. He was an evangelical min
| lister, preaching at volunteer gather
ings, and often was seen at Trotter
brothers meetings.
Leads Uncertain Career
Mr.. Newcomb is 40 years of age and
! he claimed to have been a minister
twenty-one years. Mrs. Newcomb pro-
fesses to know little or nothing of his
| life before her marriage with him.
Since that time he has led an uncer-
tain career in the ministry. filling five
pastorates. He was at Crescent City,
San Juan, Stockton and Monticello be-
| fore going to Hollywood.
HE was successful in all of them,"
said Mrs. Newcomb, land II is only u,
the last year that he has been going
down."
Rev. Mr.. Newcomb was Industrious
in seeking aid in his congregation, and
he is said by Mrs. Newcomb to have
used different lodges and fraternal
organizations frequently in raising
money.
HE belonged to two lodges" said
Mrs Newcomb, "and L know he worked
them for all there was in 1t. He told
stories of having to raise money to care
for our crippled child. know the child
got no benefit from the money he raised
in this way, and he never brought any
of 1t home,'
Regarding Rev. Mr.. Newcomb's ex-
perience on the stage Mrs. Newcomb
knew little. She said she had fIa-
quently heard him speak of 1t, but that
he always had refused to discuss it.
-