A new book, The Stranger Who Called Himself God, was released early this month by Robert Gentry of Many, a journalist for more than 60 years. He was editor-publisher and owner of The Sabine Index for more than 45 years and also was a reporter for The Natchitoches Times during his time as a college student at Northwestern.
The book is a true novel based on a Sabine Parish court case from June 1896 when a stranger came to Many and claimed he was God.
The case became known when young Attorney Hodge O’Neal found the document hidden away in the Clerk of Court’s Office. He was working with brilliant Attorney John P. Godfrey at the time. He brought the document to Gentry’s attention, and it was published in The Index in March 1972. Over the next 25 years, folks remained interested in the document and wrote the Index about the event from time to time. Now, some 50 years later, Gentry has penned a story about the stranger’s visit based on historical fact.
The book is about 30 days in June 1896 when a stranger walked into Many and claimed to be God. He helped folks. He preached. He practiced good. He was arrested and brought to court where the judge ruled him insane. The sheriff was ordered to take the man to the East Louisiana Hospital for the Insane at Jackson. According to hospital records, he never made it there. This true novel tells it like it might have been.
In her review of the book, Kelly Hagy, a Paducah, KY journalist and author, wrote: “Gentry has woven not one, but two real life stories into a delightful narrative that is both thought provoking and entertaining. I especially appreciate the additions of the actual historical documents after the story’s conclusion. Not only was it a great reimagining of the stranger, but he placed New Testament stories perfectly into a Southern scenario. The ending shocked me a little until I remembered Judas’s ultimate ending and then I got it.”
Another review said: “The events of June 1896 in the sleepy little town of Many are told through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy who displays both the innocence of sheltered, rural life and wisdom beyond his years. Well-known and obscure history is presented around the visit of a stranger who came to town and claimed he was God. Gentry’s work explores themes of faith and hypocrisy as well the complex, yet simple uncertainties God’s potential presence stirs among a community simply doing their best to survive a tremendous drought.”
Assisting with production of the book were Gentry’s wife, Laurie, his granddaughter, Alyssa Collins, and Lauren Ray, a Northwestern student who served an internship with him this summer. Sean Johnson of Many created the book’s illustrations.
After the story’s conclusion, the book contains copies of the original, historic documents from the Sabine Clerk of Court, several articles that ran in the Index and memories recalled by Attorney Hodge O’Neal who now lives in Monroe.
The book contains pictures and stories about Clerk of Court Shelly Salter, Deputy Clerks Christina Bass and Elyse Mitchell, the late Mayor Virginia Godfrey, Attorney John P. Godfrey, Dr. Harold Lewing and Luther Sandel.
It also contains pictures and stories about the elected officials who were serving at the time the story took place in 1896. They include Sheriff John Wilkerson “Wick” Conerly, Judge William Pike Hall Sr., Clerk of Court William Edward McNeely and Deputy Sheriff William Henry Peters. It also has photographs of the East Louisiana Hospital for the Insane from the mid-1890s.
The book may be purchased from Gentry inside the radio station offices at 605 San Antonio Ave. in Many or by mail order for $20, which includes shipping, to Robert Gentry, 290 Miller St., Many, LA 71449.
The new release is also available on AMAZON. COM by searching “The Stranger Who Called Himself God.”