The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1926-04-09

VINO had DefrIended INN.
Tells Life Story.
When questioned by the County At
torney in the county jail, the evange-
list, a Self-termed convert from the
New York underworld, Sobbed as he
related the hectic events in MS career
The wrongful" teachings of a branch
Of a church, free love, and narcOt-
les were, he stated, the cause Of his
downfall.
4 took the violin and the type
writer, and l want TO plead guilty"
said Ballard. Il knew what l was
doing, and yet at the same time l
didn't know, and I made mistake
The violin, according 10 Ballard,
was stolen Saturday night ard was
pawned for 81 despite the fact that
the Youngs, he declares, called It an
"old Strad" The typewriter was
stolen, he continued, on March p ana
disposed of to secondhand dealer
for IS.
Ballard, although confessing freely
to the theft of the violin and type
writer, reiterated his previous state
mentS that he was not responsible for
the theft Of 81 and the poisoning Of
the YOung's dog on March u.
Ballard, according to his story, re-
members little of his early life, and
he declares that the man and woman
whom he called father and mother in
his boyhood, later told him that he
was a waif and had been found in the
gutter"
4 have always fought the radicals
declared Ballard. "They want 20
change our system"
Prior to 1917, the evangelist stated,
he lived IN New York city, and earned
his living as q gambler, who was IN
usually adept as q crap shooter and
pool shark. While there ne became
addicted 70 the use Of narcotics.
L lived in the Chinatowns Of New
York, Philadelphia and Boston, de-
clared Ballard, "and while there I
learned TO use morphine and cocaine.
Sometimes l would shoot IL into the
arm or neck, and at other times I
would swallow a morphine tablet.
made my living by selling whiSkey,
gambling and dispOsing Of narcotics,
and / associated with the dregs Of hu-
mainly.
Then, in 1917, I had a paralytic
stroke. I was a dope addict. but
from that time I have never used a
grain Of narcotics.
In 1922, l went 70 Louisville, XIV,
and became associated with members
OF a church, and it was the wrong
teachings OF certain members 0s this
church which led me 70 fall again"
From this time, according TO the
evangelist, he at different times was
member Of this church and another
the latter he declared TO be the one
true religion. Late II 1913, he con-
feSSed that he moved TO Seattle.
Wash. and here again became alfili-
ated with the wrongful" element IN
the first church, and adopted the
Free love" system.
The world" declared Ballard las
SiOnately, as full Of free lovers. and
/ adopted their views. In Seattle, /
met q woman, and we travelled to-
gether UP and down the coast in her
automobile as man and wife. but at
that time I didn't know that she was
married TO another man.
Finally realizing that this was not
the proper way to lead a Christian
life, stated the evangelist. Z left
Seattle. and in the course of,nlv trav-
els added TO the story Of my life.
1rst used the story after having been
N the New York hospital, where a
BOwery gunman told me his life story
and then died. I adopted this story
as that Of my own life, and preached
throughout the country
Then in February. arrived in
Great Falls and while here / came to
"a ~r,H-- r----F
cared for. I wanted her, but the story
went around that I had two living
wives and, though I swear I haven't
my engagement to the girl was can
celled, while I carried the marriage
Incense and wedding ring in my
pocket"
BaIlard's story Of procuring a mar
rage license IS authentic. as records
IN the district court show that he, late
IN February, procured a license for
ms marriage TO Margaret Homer Of
Great Falls. The license was subse-
quentiy returned unused TO the dis
trict court clerk
And the while have been in Great
Fails, stated Ballard, "I have been
troubled with my affection as a
paralytle, and / have always had to
"a ~ All o1tLlELlllllE ElaL Is IN me.
wanted to get somewhere, and I made
but little preacing. Some DAYS 7
would make s. or s.. but I turned
one-third back to the mission. and 7
donated SO to q Greaat Falls hospi-
tai. after a attack Of paralysis.
Then I found myself in debt for
ST, and I stole the violin and the
typewriter TO pay this debt. I intend
ed 70 leave town, but I also intended
70 make restitution for the thefts
didn't want to preach, but want
ed to work. I asked for work at the
smelter and everywhere. but they told
me they only wanted a strong man. :"
Ny mistake must be retified -
again sobbed the evangelist. aand 7
want 70 be a strong man. I really
want 10 60 somewhere where they can
cure me, and make a man Of me-
Billiards. desire 70 be sent to son,a
institution VIII be gratifed. ACCORDING
70 County Attorney H. r. Fickemever.
VINO stated following the hearing FRAT
an information, charging grand Iare-