The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-06-21
PREACHER CLARK
IS TALKING MUCH

Cali--Rey. ". u. CLARK. facing the
charges Of forgery and OF having eloped
with his wife's sister. was brought back
from Honolulu on the steamship Sierra
yesterday In custody OF sheriff Furness
OF Barre County, Michigan.
| Clark. up to 1905. was a resident OF
Hastings. Mich. where he had been the
leading clergyman In the Congrega-
tional church for i5 years
| When he disappeared he iert his wife
and two children behind him, and no
explanation was offered for his action
until several weeks had elapsed. Then
came the double charge that he had
forged a check for $500 and that he
was accompanied in his flight by his
| slster-in-law, Miss Nettie Gettard. of
Dayton. Ohio.
Information that the erring preacher
and his companion were phllandering
among the palms of the islands reached
Michigan recently and Sheriff Furness
was ordered to Honolulu to apprehend
Clark and bring him back to Barre
County.
Clark was found without difficulty
and offered no resistance when told
that he must accompany the sheriff
turned of his own accord next Janu-
airy, he declared, as he was anxious to
face what was before him as quickly
as possible.
Clark talked readily of the charges
against him upon his arrival here yes
terday. He Is a tall, striking looking
man, with gray shot hair black eyes
and heavy, dark eyebrows. He has a
very dignified bearing and a pro-
nounced pulpit manner in his speech.
Domestic trouble, he limited, was in
the main responsible for his escapades.
II have been preaching and con-
Quoting a private school in Honolulu
since leaving Hastings" he explained.
MY sister-in-law was with me most
of the time in Honolulu. Several
months ago she returned to San Fran
cisco and went to work in Oakland.
thought she would remain there, but,
much to my surprise, she returned to
Honolulu about a month ago. She is
dressmaker and has supported her.
self for years at that work. She is
about my own age-n.
Yes, / grew up with her and my
wife from childhood. / was always
fond of her and she came to visit our
family in Hastings frequently. I have
two children. My wife and her folks
are well known in Dayton, Ohio. My
wife was born there.
How did 1 find Honolulu? 1 was
exceedingly happy there. i had the
support of the missionary church and
the help of the Young Mems Christian
Association There is something about
the tropics which appeals to me very
keenly. Yes, / was very happy, but I
intended to return to Hastings and
adjust my affairs. They were in bad
tangle, and i was set upon returning,
but my sister wrote to me last Janu-
airy that / had better stay where I
was. She said would be better off in
the islands. Probably she was right,
but was determined to return.
Il lived in Honolulu under my own
name. but changed my initials from
w. d. to NJ. l..
Yes, | am aware that 1 am accused
of forging a check for $500, but you
will excuse me from discussing that
matter now. II might affect me when
1 get back to Hastings. 1t is not true
that 1 got away with $500 belonging
to other people. You have been mis-
informed on that.
Anxious to have it over? Yes,
am I'll be glad when whatever PEN
atty Is coming to me will be doled out.
I am fully conscious Of my transgres-
sions'
When Clark left the Sierra he was
to the sheriff, who con-
Quoted him to Oakland and placed him
in jail there pending their start for
the East tonight.
Miss Gettard, who ran away with
Clark, was left behind in Honolulu.
She was destitute, according to the
sheriff, and it was the intention of the
church women of Honolulu to raise
fund in order to send her back to Day.
ton.
The Clarks. as they were known in
the islands, occupied a good social po-
sition and the arrival of the sherif
caused a sensation among their mis-
sionary friends.