Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-28
AGITATION OF THE ECONOMIES.
0nly Four More Days in Which the Predic-
ton Made BY the Koreshan Prophet
Years Ago Can Be Fulfilled.
DETECTIVES ARE UPON HIS TRACK.
Trustee Duss OPENS the ROem of the Relics TO Prove
His Entire Sincerity.

he accepted as the Messiah into the Eco
nomite Society, has only four days left for
realization and in that time, as was found
among the members yesterday, the only
tonic that will be discussed in the society
is Teed, his doctrine and his prophecy.
MANY sincere prayer has been offered by the
ultra religious Economics that theirpeace
nav not be broken by another Count Leon
and that Trustee Duss may fail in his effort
10 secure Teed as side partner in CARRYING
out beliefs that even to Economics seem
preposterous.
The man who has STYLED himself the
'modern God" is not to be defeated with
out all the tricks of honorable warfare,
however, and according to information re-
ceived by some of the Economics he has
intended making a grand effort by playing
On the traditions of tine society's members.
His plan proposed was to appear before the
House of the Fathers at Economy, robed
in a duplicate of the sacred garment that
has never been worn since Father Rapp
died, and proclaim that the spirits of
heaven hal at his command brought him
the robe. To assure his own followers that
he is omnipotent he recently appeared be-
fore them at Chicago in the robe he has
prepared, and declaring that it was the
original, stated that it had been brought by
the spirits from Economy.
Plenty of GIittering Promises.
He said he would lead them to the So
cietv's wealth and that when he was seen
clad in the sacred garment they would fall
down AMI worship him. The claim that
DIR. Teed had made was sent to members Of
the Economic Society. 1t was stated that
the original garment had been sent Teed,
and until Trustee Duss secured it from the
room of the relics, where for years it has
remained untouched, there were expressions
Of sorrow and anger at the person who
would dare profane the garment in which
Father Rapp expected to receive Christ at
His second coming.
The ruse adopted bv Teed was brilliant
one, if ii could have been carried out. He is
already said to have in his possession the
sacred scarf that Father Rapp expected to
present to the Messiah, and it is now be-
leved that it was the intention to give him
the garment in case the Economics seemed
disposed TO believe in the uniformed spirit
messengers claims They are both relics as
dear almost TO the hearts of Economics as
i
ioV> belief and doctrine of the society.
Father Eapp. the founder of the Economics,
was firm believer in the second coming of
Christ. and soon after a home WAS secured
in America. he had 4 robe prepared which he
was o wear when the Messiah with his Ia, 600
followers should appear Oh earth. The
silEen scarf was to be presented to Christ,
and was valued second only to the robe
The latter was made in the style worn in
the days of the prophets, and besides its re-
li-ious history had a great commercial
value.
The First silk weavers.
The silk from which it was made was
ahOEt the first woven in the United States.
The Economics have medals from Congress
for successfully making the first silk in this
country and of doing it entirely themselves,
even TO the construction of looms. The
idea was first suggested to Father Rapp by
Mr. Henrici, then young man, who one
day received a package from the Govern
ment containing a silk worm. This was
E3tched, a start was made, and afterward
sample of the silk woven was presented to
the authorities who sent the first egg.
Father fapp at once conceived the idea of
weaving silk on = more extensive scale and
secured two experts from England. While
Ihey we're coming, looms were built, and
dUstry was one OF Economy'S greatest re-
sources. The material woven was always of
The best of quality. Some of it is worn in
dresses by the older ladies' of the society
today. and seems good for century more.
The sacred garment was the hest of all.
however, and WAS OF quality that could
not he duplicated. 1t was purple in color.
and was always cared for as thing of un-
limited value. Father Rapp wore it only
once or twice on great occasions, and when
he died it was placed in a room where the
relies are kept.
Other Curious Relics There.
Along with it was banner of silk, on
which was motto in German, which was
IN be carried in the procession at Christ's
coming. There was also the silk scarf. The
remainder of the relics were of historic
connection-valuable,B But not sacred One
Of them was tall, old-fashioned clock, on
top of which was Napoleon with gun and
bsyonet in hand. There were besides the
dresses of seven singing girls, who, since
wearing them, had grown to womanhood.
Recently detective, who is in the en-
ploy OF certain parties, sent word from
Chicago that Dr. Teed had appeared before
his followers in a peculiar robe, which he
claimed was sent him by God. 1t was also
stated that Teed had said the garment was
sacred TO the Economics, and that, having
j In his possession, they would all worship
him. He is said to have told his simple be-
levers that he would lead them to the rich
vineyards OF the Economics, and that they
would be admitted with hearty welcome
and he given an equal share of untold mil
lions. The picture, painted by Teed,
the detective stated was most bril-
liantly coored, and impressed his followers
with such bright prospects that it was de-
termined that they should all 60 together to
their co-believers in Pennsylvania The
plan outlined was sent to persons who
are watching Teeds friends in Economy and
who yesterday permitted it to be known to
members of the Economic society that the
sacred garment, banner to be carried in
the procession at the coming of Christ, and
the scarf SO much valued for its religious
traditions had been in some mannre secured
bv Teed.
Duss Exhibits the Garment.
When Mr.. Duss. in whose house the gar
ment is kept, was called upon, he said it
was impossible that it could have
been taken away. He hesitated to
open the room so long. kept closed,
but in order to allav suspicious, decided to
do so. The garment was found. Mr.. Duss
would not express an opinion as to what
motive Teed would have in claiming he had
secured it. He said the scarf had not been
sent away, but that his cousin had present.
ed Teed with handkerchief woven from
Economic silk, that in part resembled the
sacred relic. He thought it possible that
the two had been confounded
Mr.. Duss does not care to talk about
iced, but is believed to still be willing TO
accept him into the society. The success of
the Koreshean prophet in converting Trus-