The herald., 1895-06-27
HOWLAND'S PSYCHOMETRY
"FOrtune Telling" and "Life
Reading" Defined in Court
FINE DISTINCTIONS DRAWN
The Defendant Takes the Stand and
Holds Forth
"toIy Joy" in Department One The Reverend
GentIeman's Record Slightly Aired.
'.Me and God Again

The Very Reverend II. Edward How
land OF Pasadena furnished so much fun
free gratis to the crowd in department
one yesterday that it is gravclv suspected
the charge OF perjury against him will be
dismissed on the very ground that the
''holy Joy" of listening to him will infiu-
ence the jury to in honor remunerate him
for his entertainment by rendering a ver-
dict of not guilty. In fact, a superior
court official averred that the general
opinion is that the prisoner is either a
harmless iunatic or his followers are. or
he is a knave of fine points in his busi-
ness.
The defense had its inning yesterday
and endeavored to prove that c. S. How
ard, the complaining witness, really did
disturb the meeting in G. A. r. hall,
Pasadena, last year. Several witnesses
were examined, but Howland's examine
tion was the star feature on the pro-
gramme. The smooth looking. we'll
dressed young Christian was called up
on to, explain his position and he averred
stoutly that he spoke nothing but the
Lord $ tulth when he said Howard dis
turbed his peace. He said Howard kept
up mumbling noise and refused to de-
sist. On cross-examination by Deputy
District Attorney McComas he went all
over the scene at the piano, the singing
and praying in the hall. He said he was
practicing psychometry whenAhe read the
bouquets and pranced about in his robes
dong incantations for the benefit of the
spirits of the air" and Howard's S antag-
onism broke the spiritual conditions, if
you please" thus casting him down to
earth's plane. He disclaimed speaking
roughly to Howard, saying he never
liked to speak to anyone if he could help
it, because he has set himself apart from
the world" and disliked contamination
and all that. He said he closed the meet
ing by singing All Hail the Power of
Jesus Name and giving benediction.
He was so perturbed at Howard S calling
him fraud that he could not continue
services. AA
During the cross-examination his law
yers by objections headed off some rare
ana racy sketches of his career that Judge
McComas tried to lay before the jury. But
enough was brought out in patches to
make it clear that Rowland is not any
Latter Day Saint. He said he had come
down. here August 7, 1894. from San Fran
more from Europe and other little stop
ping places. He will be 80 years of age
August 1st, but though ordained Bap-
tist minister in Briggs Corners, Mass.
he couldn't tell when, nor could he recall
any of the numerous Baptist churches he
ha preached in" there were so many of
them it was impossible" He admitted
having a wife in Rhode Island but his
memory was hazy as to his career there.
When asked about going by the name CT
Eddy in Rhode Island he denied it and
after admitting that he went by the name
OF Edward in Summerland he declared he
had good reasons for it, and was not
afraid of any man living.
Mr.. Rowland explained under pressure
that there is a vast distinction between
HIM and common fortune te.lers. He de-
scribed that fortune tellers read carus and
tea leaves signs, while he practiced
astrology and read planets. And thereat
bewhiskered individual associated with
his counsel evnced great delight and ap-
plauded, glancing triump phantly at the
Eyes, don't want you to mix up life
readings with fortune telling" exclaimed
Rowland, shaking his finger at McComas.
"Ah!" said McComas, now we have a
straight chute"
Further examination induced Rowland
to dsclaim modestly that he coulo not
read minds, although mis- metaphysical,
spiritualistic, psychometric prognostica-
tions were unexcelled on the planet
Earth. Pressed for the names of few
of the other planets, witness really
couldn' recall any Just on the moment.
"Dl1 you read character by those
bouquets?" asked Mr.. McComas.
That's where l charge TO inform the
people," cried the witness triumphantly,
as though he had solved a marvel.
'Do you think you can tell characters
by bouquets?'
81 don't think, l k-n-o-w,' said How
land, and after objections and squabbles
galore, Rowland was retired.
Other witnesses who gave minor evil
dence were examined, but most of their
testimony was made Of conclusions or was
'felt" by them from unearthly sources
SO could not be admitted under the Cali
fornia code. Therefore the case adjourned
last evening with things looking very
dubious for the defendant.
Today will probably witness the argu-
ment and the deliberations of the jury.