It illustrates that nothing is predictable, especially when uncommon religious practices are involved.

Such are not new to the Rome area although few may remember the religious cult, "The Holy Ghost and Us," in the early 1900s at Ridge Mills.

This story also is almost unbelievable.

The "Holy Ghost Station" was established in 1901 by a Rev. Frank W. Sandford, later was to be convicted and sentenced for the death of six persons, one of Ridge Mills. He had founded the cult nine years before in eastern New York.

When Sandford came to Ridge Mills, meetings were first held in a tent on the east side of James Street, a short distance south of the turn in the road at Ridge Mills. Within a few weeks, Sandford had baptized a number of persons, including two well to do Rome area farmers. To all questions, Sandford and his followers declared they had found the path to salvation, and that there was to be an end of the world in the near future and that only those on their side would survive in the "life hereafter.

In May of 1903, a church accommodating 400 was built across James Street from the tent, on land donated by a member.

In April of 1905, some of the "saints," as they called themselves, left Ridge Mills for Shiloh, Maine, many of them selling the property and giving most of it to Sandford. Twenty two persons left Ridge Mills in a body, "to wait the end of the world." In all, 25 of the Rome area, 14 of them children, "answered the call." Meetings at Ridge Mills continued, with leaders exhorting others to join those in Maine.

The end of the world did not come but most of those who went to Shiloh remained there to experience sufferings which led to a state investigation.

Preacher Sandford, at one time a Baptist pastor of a wealthy parish, said mysterious voices told him to take all his possessions and go to Shiloh, Maine. He said he was broke when he arrived there but soon the property in Shiloh was worth more than $250,000 as followers in numerous places, including Ridge Mills, poured in contributions.

The Shiloh community put all earnings into a common purse and drew all supplies from a common larder. Soon poor crops caused reports of hunger in the commune. Meanwhile, Sandford was some place on his yacht, searching, he said, for another Shiloh and a new end-of-world date.

One member broke away and reported: "I have endured the tortures of hell since I joined. . . They have taken all my money, deprived me of my family, ruined my health and were starving me to death."

At this time, they were about 700 converts at Shiloh, mainly engaged in farming. A faithful member returned to Ridge Mills, declaring all was well and urged Rome area people to go to Shiloh, bringing with them their wealth for the common pot.

Then Sandford was charged with manslaughter in causing the death of a boy by refusing to permit administration of medicine while the boy was suffering from diphtheria. A jury disagreed in the first trial, he was convicted in the second but the verdict was set aside on the grounds that public opinion was unfriendly to him.

Meanwhile, another refugee from Shiloh, a Ridge Mills man, declared they had been permitted only one meal a day, usually mush and milk, and that sickness was ravaging the disciples. A state investigation uncovered what were called cases of cruelty to children, it being declared that Sandford was, "ruling his people with fear, they following his merest suggestions implicitly." Sandford was called "insane."

On July 14, 1910 the Ridge Mills church was acquired by local persons interested in using the structure as a tuberculosis hospital. After that use ended, the structure became a dwelling.

Then in August of 1910 came news that the bark Kingdom, flagship of the Holy Ghost and Us squadron then at sea, had been wrecked of Yarmouth, Maine. On August 3, 1911, the yacht Coronet, with 48 men, women and children of the cult aboard, was reported in distress off West Africa and short of provisions. None knew where they were supposed to be going.

That same year in October, Sandford was arrested in Portland, Me. on complaint of a woman ex-follower who alleged she had been illegally detained aboard the Kingdom. In December, Sandford was indicted on six counts for causing deaths among his people and convicted. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and in 1918, seven years later, was paroled on good behavior.

Sunday Sentinel, October 14, 1979

Back in 1901 there came to the hamlet of Ridge Mills one Rev. Frank W. Sandford who began holding religious meetings in a tent. Brother Sandford, as he became known, also was called the "Second Elijah" by his following.

The denomination started in 1896 at Shiloh, Maine, when Sandford, then a Baptist minister decided to set up his own church. He gave up a pastorate paying $1500 and drew all his money from the bank and sent it to missionaries in Africa.

Without a single cent, he started to build a church in Shiloh. He took a wheelbarrow and began to excavate on top of a hill. Others came to help and today there are buildings at this site values at $250,000.

In 1903, a series of articles by Holman Day appeared in Harpers, which were reprints of his work for the Lewiston Journal done earlier, along with this photo of FWS at work. Ed.

The sect soon had 30 converts at Ridge Mills. On May 16, 1903, construction was begun on a frame building, 32 by 50 feet, estimated to seat 400. The land was donated to "The Kingdom" by a Ridge Mills resident, one of the first converts.

In 1905, Sandford issued a call for all the faithful to assemble at Shiloh, Maine. An exodus of members from Ridge Mills and the area followed, taking with them all their monies for donation to the cause.