New Britain herald., 1922-10-19
VISITOR HAS LOCAL
 BAPT|STS GUESSING
May Have Been 0. K, But Actions
 Look Decidedly Suspicious

Officials of the local Baptist church and Of the Baptist state convention are conducting an inquiry today in an eifort to learn what information they can of man who represented him. self here as The Rev. F. M. Ralk. of Boston, but whose actions here have
 been such as to arouse suspicion that
 he may be a shady character, who managed 10 impose upon the good natured hospitality of local Baptists and take advantage of their gener- osity.
 "Balk." as he called himself, ar rived In New Britain late Tuesday afternoon and went to the church. where just as the registry office was about to close for the day. he repre- sented himself as visiting clergy man. He showed a credental from the First Baptist church of Boston, giving him license to preach but not 10 perform wedding ceremonies or ad- minister communion. He is said to have told story about being of Jewish percentage and having been ostracised by his family because of his change Tn renglon.
 He Lost His Roll.
 Later on he suddenly sprung a story of having lost wallet contain ing se1 and a savings bank book on the Exchange Trust Co.,, of Boston, those he talked to said today. The story of the loss he stuck to, but varied it somewhat in telling of the time of the loss it is stated. Some people were informed, it is said. that he lost the pocket book Wednesday, between the church and the New Britain club. where the church officials took care of him, while at the club he is alleged to have stated that he lost the money in Hartford
 The people at the local church &C., cepted the story of the loss and did what they could to help him. They furnished him meals. and various members, struck by his story of mis- fortune. contributed to his financial condition. One man gave him a s5 bill, another gave him one dollar and there were quite number of con- tributions of various denominations.
 Although he stayed overnight at the expense of the church, at the New Britain club, the man carried no baggage. but left soiled collar and some cards and envelopes of the Bos- ton church in the room.
 So much attention was attracted by the man that volunteers carefully checked his movements until he left the city last night At the New Brit ain club, where he went immediately after supper he is said to have de- clared he intended to get church in this locality and proposed to join the club. He went to a local bank it Is reported and inquired if there was some way to get money he claimed to have on deposit in Boston, but re- ceived no encoiiragement,
 Following the service last evening he was interviewed by city official who happened to be there and be- ,ame highly indignant when the lat er bluntly demanded, What's the game, anyhow?" He then admitted | having borrowed a dollar and said he vas going to Hartford but would pay pack the dollar and walk over When ISKe0 aDOuL the i've 0OlldrS ne became and said it was no ones business. He showed a railway bag rage check, which was stamped | Hartford
 When he left the church he walked 0 the center. then went north on Main street to St. Mary's church, coming back the opposite side of the treet and going to the railroad sta ion. where he purchased ticket for Berlin. Again at Berlin he was in erviewed, but this time he did not ynow it was anyone who had ever cen him before. He said nothing bout a loss there and inquired sev- ral times the mileage rates to Chi ago. While at Berlin he smoked cigarettes necessarily
 He referred to Rev. Dr. David A. 'itts for reference, but not until after le had left for his home in Nor vich and could not be located. He vas very nervous when seen at the Berlin station and was heard to re- nark 10 the ticket clerk when he sked for his Hartford ticket T don't are how I get there. just so I get here"