The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-22
HE WE'D TO STEAL?
UnfrOcked Clergyman Held on
a FOur-Way Bigamy Charge.
When Arrested, He Is With Sec
Ond of Alleged Four Wives.
FLEECED THEM ALL, CHARGE
First Marriage Supposed To Be
in 1918, and Fourth in 1921.
Sometimes He Didn't Even
Marry 'Em-But Stole Anyhow.
FLEECED THEM ALL, CHARGE

Los Angeles. June 22.-Dona1d D.
Stewart, an unfrocked clergyman, is
held in the city Jail awaiting the ar
rival of officers from Boston, where
it is reported he is wanted on charges
of bigamy, grand larceny and con-
spiracy.
With Stewart when he was arrested
Tuesday night was Mrs. Ethel Turner
Osbaldeston Stewart, the second of
the four wives he is said to have mar
ried and who also was taken into
custody.
She is charged with having con-
spired with him to effect his alleged
marriage to Norma Ehrenseller of
Boston from whom he is said to have
stolen $2.5O0.
His Marriage List.
A private detective agency listed his
alleged marriages as follows:
First-To Mary Mitchell. at Wilmington
Del, in 1918. A child born to them
and Stewart is alleged to have deserted his
SecondLTo Ethel Turner osbaldeston,
at New York, in 1920. He is said to have
ThirdLTo Bertha Ellen Grannis. at In
dianapolis. in 1921. He is said to have
Fourth-To Norma EhrenseIIer, at Bos-
of Mrs. Ethel Turner Osbaldeston Stewart
with whom he is said to have effected a
disappeared shortly after the marriage.
just a Few Others.
In addition to these marriages, the
detectives charge he obtained $1,25O
thru the endorsement of a check by
Bertha Ellen GranniS Stewart and
that when he deserted her, he took
his departure in her brothers auto
mobile; that he stole $4,000 from
Norma Ehrenseller Stewart, and that
thru an alleged courtship of Miss Ger
-. 7 ,T,1 -<.fT
troit, in 1921, he defrauded her rela-
tives of $3.50.
Stewart, 81 years old and a native
of Scotland, attained considerable
prominence few years ago thru his
work as an anti-vice crusader and
temperance leader.
After Mrs. Maud Hendricks COM
mitted suicide at Hayward, Cal, near
Oakland. December 30. 1914, when he
refused to marry her, and he was ar
unfrocked, aItho the charge was dis
missed for lack of evidence.
His First Wife Forgfves.
Detroit, June PA charge of con-
spiracy to defraud may be brought
here against D. D. Stewart, held in
Los Angeles on a fugitive warrant but
authorities of Massa chusetts. New
York or Indiana probably will have
first claim to the prisoner, private
day.
His lawful wife, Mary Barbara James
Mitchell. resides here as does Miss
Gertrude Van Lopik to whom Stewart
was engaged to be married but she
broke with him after relatives en-
dorsed alleged worthless checks
Mrs. Mitchell was aware of her hus-
bands relations with other women.
she said today, but forgave him several
times. She bears him no i'll will now,
she asserted, and sympathizes with
him in his predicament. Mrs. Mitchell
said she was sure Stewart did not
marry her for her money "as was the
case in his other marriages"
He always told me he loved me
best of them ALL" she added.
Her baby, l 5 months old. Margaret,
Mrs. Mitchell said, is the daughter
of Stewart.
"She is the image of her father and
I hope she has his brilliant mind and
that I can train it in the right chan
neIs,' said the mother.