Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-14
Two Other Children Are
Taken by the
Father
East Hollywood Minister Is Mysteri-
ously Missing, and NeIghbors
Connect Blonde Woman
with His Departure

walls stripped of texts and pictures
and wide-eyed child clinging to Its
mothers skirts silently attested the
flight of Rev. Francis Newcomb, pastor
of the East Hollywood Congregational
church last night.
The clergyman left his home at 1852
Benefit avenue yesterday, taking with
him his two children-Pearl, aged G.,
and Frances, aged 4.
Newcomb's family is penniless, and
he is said by his wife to have gone with
another woman, whom she describes as
a blonde creature, looking like an
actress"
Pearl the older child, was taken
from the Good Samaritan hospital,
where she has been treated for hip dis
ease since last June. The Newcombs
have been married seven years. New
comb has been pastor of the East
Hollywood church since last September.
The fight of the clergyman followed
the circulation of much neighborhood
gossip regarding the blonde woman,
during the last few months. Stories
were borne constantly to Mrs. New
comb, but she refused to listen to them.
was held. but nothing could be fas-
tened on the pastor which would con-
denim him. Long absences from home
were unaccounted for, and it was whis-
pered by his parishoners that often he
was seen returning late at night.
Takes Child for Walk
Yesterday morning the minister told
Mrs. Newcomb he was going for a
walk.
Il will take Frances" he said. PUT
on the child's best frock and make her
presentable; we're going for a long
walk"
Pleased at the prospect of her child's
pleasure, Mrs. NeWcomb made the de-
lighted Frances ready, and she and her
father went down the path hand In
hand.
"Where are you going?' asked Mrs.
Newcomb.
well stop at the grocery and pay a
bill" the father called back.
An hour later the clergyman called
his wife on the telephone. do not go
to fuckers grocery for anything" he
said; Il don't like his place." Before
she had time to question him he had
hung up the receiver
When luncheon was ready the two
had not returned. Mrs. Newcomb be-
came alarmed and made inquiries
among the neighbors. None had seen
them. Thinking they had gone to the
hospital to visit little Pearl, she called
the institution by telephone.
''Mr. Newcomb was here this morn
ing and took Pearl away" was the re-
ply to her question.
Seen with Woman
fuckers grocery, where the bill was
to have been paid, was called. New
J,a1 ~ 4.
day. By one clew after another he was
traced directly to the Good Samaritan
hospital, and then the trail was lost.
Still refusing to believe her husband
had deserted her, Mrs Newcomb, her
frightened children clinging to her in
tears, remained at home until even
ing.
Sympathetic neighbors came in.
Chester jerks, treasurer of the church.
had seen Mr.. Newcomb during the
morning on a downtown car with a
woman Mrs. j. II. Finn also had seen
the pastor. Both were sure 1t was the
blonde stranger.
The group seeking to comfort Mrs.
Newcomb stood facing the pastors
study 1t bore over the door the words
"Ye Pastors Den" in old English
script. They tried the door; 1t was
locked. In the hope of finding a NESS
age or a clew, locksmith was sent
for and the door was opened. The hall
light, half filling the study, showed
empty bookcases and a bare place
above the fireplace where the text, II
am the light, the way and the life"
had been. The place was denuded of
all the ornaments and all the pictures
with which the walls had been decked.
Wife Is Horrlfed
"Close the door. quick" cried Mrs.
Newcomb, covering her face with her
hands.
A search outside the study window
showed an impression in the soft earth
where the box containing the books and
pictures had been lowered in the night
and footprints where 1t had been car
ried away.
Paul Victor, a 19-months-old child,
and Rose, IA years of age, are left with
Mrs. Newcomb. Rose is her daughter
by a previous marriage. Little Paul
cried constantly for papa" last night,
and Rose, drying her tears, sought to
comfort him.
Mrs, Newcomb told her story between
sobs.
He has been unkind to me for the
last two years" she said.
Il have known from the first that
some other woman had his affections.
Stories have been brought to me time
and again about his being seen with
this woman, but l always tried not 70
believe 1t, and until now 1 never did
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