This month marks the release of Crest Books’ “The Sanctified Salvationist Showman” by Lt. Colonel Eddie Hobgood, the first biography ever written about Nishan Der Garabedian, also known as “Joe the Turk.” Joe was a pioneering Salvationist and evangelist throughout the late-19^th and early-20^th centuries, not to mention a truly eccentric celebrity during his decades of officership. To celebrate the spirited leader, allow us to spotlight 10 interesting facts about the well-known innovator and his astonishing Salvation Army legacy.

1. Joe the Turk … wasn’t a Turk at all. Joe was born Nishan Der Garabedian in Turkey.

However, he and his parents were Armenians, who immigrated to Turkey to escape political hostility. When Joe came to the United States, he changed his name to John Garabed, but eventually embraced the moniker “Joe the Turk.”

2. Joe was arrested a whopping 52 times during his officership.

In his time, Joe the Turk had many run-ins with law enforcement while evangelizing, marching in the streets, music-making or promoting upcoming open-airs in town. 

3. Joe owned a shoe shop called the Hole in the Wall, which did, in fact, have a literal hole in its wall.

After he came to Christ, Joe changed the name of his business to the Hallelujah Shoe Shop, where he preached the gospel and hosted corps officers during their breaks.

4. Joe was an expert in both music and languages.

He was reported to have known how to speak and sing eight different languages, most likely due to his upbringing in Turkey. Additionally, he was famous for playing instruments such as the cornet, the clarinet and the saxophone.

5. Joe carried around a battery-operated gospel umbrella during his travels.

He became known for the accessory over time, and decorated it pretty elaborately. 

6. Joe never married but did foster a child for a time.

For several months in the summer of 1901, Joe had a traveling companion named Arthur Raby, whom he billed as his adopted son. 

7. Joe printed his own songbooks for The Salvation Army.

He produced at least four songbooks during his officership. The 16-page pamphlets contained pictures of Joe and the songs he played in his evangelistic meetings. 

8. Joe was once arrested dressed as Santa Claus.

On December 19, 1900, he was detained in New York City for collecting donations for The Salvation Army dressed as good ol’ St. Nick! 

9. Joe was a great friend to The War Cry.

It’s worth noting that Joe was reported on by The War Cry constantly, and even provided the publication with his own travelogues at times. 

10. Joe has his own Funko Pop!

You can visit The Salvation Army Eastern Territorial Headquarters to see his Funko Pop, designed by Captain Ashley Hobgood. 

Photo via The Salvation Army National Archives

The Sanctified Salvationist Showman 

In this fascinating, convicting and inspiring account, Eddie Hobgood shares the extraordinary biography of the illustrious Salvationist officer and icon, Nishan Der Garabedian, also known as Joe the Turk. Follow along through the tales of Joe’s 52 arrests on behalf of The Salvation Army’s right to march, praise and evangelize across the United States. Learn of Joe’s experience as a Christian of Armenian heritage. Ponder his many acts of both heroism and theatre in a time so unaccustomed to the cause of The Salvation Army.

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