The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-23
IN ADJOINING CELLS.
Arrest of Members of the Jesus
Commonwealth.
Secretary Stone, Having Been Deposed, Re-
taliates by Charging That Vice-President
Smith Threatened His Life.

Trouble has been brewing for several
weeks among leading members of the So
ciety known as the Commonwealth of Jesus.
Two of the moving spirits now occupy
separate cells at the City Prison.
There was lively meeting Of the Board
of Managers of the society at the new head
quarters, 905R Mission street, on Tuesday
night n. Elliott Stone, the secretary, was
deposed and compelled to turn over all the
books and papers relating to the COM
munity, but the trouble did not end there.
Stone went TO the old City Han yesterday
morning and swore out complaint for the
arrest of Dr. +. ID. Smith on a charge Of
having made threats to kill him. Smith Is
Vice-PreSident of the commonwealth and
took an active part in deposing Stone as
secretary, and, as the latter asserts, threat
ened to take his life.
He says he was forced to retire from the
secretaryShip because lie was accused OF
slandering DIR. Smith and Mrs. Chambers OF the
Board of Managers. Stone landed at the City
Prison several hours in advance OF DIR. Smith,
but his arrest had nothing TO do with tae tau
gled state of affairs in the society.
WHY STONE IS UNDER ARREST.
He was booked on charge OF grand Larceny
preferred by A. f. Elkeles Of 942 Howard street.
The complaint against him states that lie caTted
off and sold quantity of household furniture
belonging TO Elkeles and valued at S275. mis-
furniture was at one time involved IN lawsuit
which the Chicago Clock Company began
against Elkeles.
When questioned about the afTair, Stone ad-
nttted having sold the furniture for SO. but
Claimed that lie expended nearly all the money
In the interests Of Elkeles. He declared himself
to be an accountant. but did not cl ally explain
the nature of his transactions for Elkeles. He
has recently commenced suit In behalf OF
Elkeles 10 recover S299 damages from the
Chicago Clock Company.
Stone also had considerable to say about those
who depOsed him from the secretaryship of the
Commonwealth of Jesus. Smith and Mrs.
Chambers" lie sad. accused me Ot circulating
a slapder about them. and thy such relig-
IOus fanatics that they have no regsrd for the
law. They believe In Killing a slauderer, and
believe they would Just as soon XIII me as not.
Smith was converted TO the coumOnW ealth by
Leader Dove, and he and l have not agreed
since the split between the corporation aud re-
ltglOuS FACTIONS.
CHARGES OF FEROCITY.
Last night the Board of Managers deposed
me mlawiully. and, by threatening to Kill me.
got my deeds aud bill OF sale. They refused TO
pay me what mad expended In Incorporating
Tie commonwealth. Had 1t not been for Presi-
dent Morton believe Smith would have killed
me lastnlght."
DR.. Smith was booked at the City Prison two
hours later and placed IN cell adjoining The one
occupied by the dep0sed Secre;ary. He does not
appear to be very feFOciOuS or blOOdthlrsty "lt
Is an Outrage-a gross Injustice" lie said, THAT L
should be arrested on complaint OF this man
Stone when charge OF grand larceny was hang
500 bail and get out OF here but l Will stay
until The charge is disposed OF III court"
Ibid you threaten the life OF St0ne?" was
asked.
No. sir; l did not. No force was used or any
threats made. although 81 one was very hostile In
his demonstrations after being deposed. Why
was he depOsed? Well, for failing 10 attend 10
his dusties properly. There IS no scandal mixed
up in this affair at all. We merely compelled
him to deliver up the books and seal of the cor
pOration In order That the business OF the COM
mOnwealth might be properly conducted. He
did not have the handling of the money, but We
depOsed him 10 keep him from getting possession
OF Tie funds"