The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-06-19
PREACHER CLARK
IS TALKING MUCH
Tells of His Love Affairs and
Missionary Work in
Honolulu.

Call-Rev. w. D. 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 Is years.
When he disappeared he left 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
sister-in-law. Miss Nettie Gettard, of
Dayton, Ohio.
Information that the erring preacher
and his companion were philandering
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 toto
that he must accompany the snerin
home. It was his intention to have re-
turned of his own accord next Janu-
ary. he declared, as he was anxious te
face what was before him as quickly
as possible.
Clark talked readily of the charges
against him upon his arrival mere yes
terday. He is a tall, striking looking
man. with gray shot hair, black eye
land heavy. dark eyebrows. He has
very dignified bearing and a pro
lnounced pulpit manner in his speech.
Domestic trouble, he limited, was II
the main responsible for his escapaoes
st have been preaching and con
Quoting a private school in Honolui
since leaving Hastings he explained
INV sfster-in-law was with me mos
of the time in Honolulu. Severa
months ago she returned to San Fran
cisco and went to work in Oakland
T thought she would remain there, pu'
much to my surprise, she returned
: Honolulu about month ago. She
a. dressmaker and has supported heI
self for years at that WORK. one
about my own age-4l.
2 yes, I grew up with her and m
wife from childhood. / was AWAY
fond of her and she came to VISIT ou
family in Hastings frequently. l haV
+. two children. My wife and her 1olh
are well known in Dayton ONO ~
wife was born there.
How did find Honolulu? wa
| exceedingly happy there L nad III
support of the missionary church an
the helm of the Young Mems Chr1stia
Association. There is something abol
+be tropics which appeals to me yer
keenly. Yes, / was very happy, put
intended to return to Hastings az
adiust nv affairs They We're in pa
+angIe. and / was set upon RETURNING
but my sister wrote to me last Jam
arv that / had better stay Where
was. She said would be better OH
the islands. Probably she was rlgh
, but T was determined to return.
ST lived in Honolulu under my o"
name. but changed my Initials ITO
w D. to M. l..
. Eyes I am aware that I am accuse
of forging a check for sSoo, out y
will excuse me from discussing III
) matter now. 1t might affect me WIS
T get back to Hastings. 1t is not tr'
that I got away with $500 belongll
r. other PEOPLE, You have been MI
Uniformed on that.
anxious to have it over! YES
am. I'll be glad when whatever Pc
II altv is coming to me will be doied OF
sr am fully conscious of my transgre
sions.'
when clark left the Sierra he WI
d bandcuffed to the sheriff, who CO
o. ducted him to Oakland and placed M
- IN iail there pending their start I
the East tonight.
81 Miss Gettard, who ran away WI
clark. was left behind in Honour
She was destitute, according TO |
sheriff. and it was the intention OF
church women of Honolulu to raise
fund in order to send her back 10 La
ton.
The Clarks, as they were known
the islands, occupied good social
sition and the arrival of the sher
oausaa a sensation among their mi
sionary friends.
IS You will always find children under