The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-23

v,
erhood Association az Point Iona. San
Diego. Cal. is now engaged In pressing
a libel sui, for $4,000 agains, the Los An
seles Times perhaps as a distraction from
her disappointment over the resusal Of the
Immigration authorities at New York 10
permit eleven cuban Lotus buds TO enter
the country and 20 10 the Raia ioga school
at Point Iona.
This suit grew out Of the printing of GER
tain charges against the Point Loma insti-
tuition made by Mrs NJ Ieavitt. who was
represented 10 have said that the members
of the establishment were ill-treated and
that many of the ceremonies were nom
eentical Mrs Ieavitt later denied that
she had made the statements printed.
urless Mrs. Tingley gets cut rate for
her legal expenses she must spend liberal
prop, rtion of the contributions from the oso-
phists among the lawyers. For the last
few years she has figured frequently in
court proceedings.
About three years ago she appeared in
four civil suits brought by theosophist
lodges TO recover property claimed ny
them Then in October, 1901, she was
taken into San Diego on a writ of habeas
corpus by William f.. Griswod Of Denver,
who said that she was holding his daughter
in her community and that she had acquired
an undue influence over the girl. This
was q very painful case. as the daughter
IN court appeared to be dominated by Mrs.
Tingley and treated her father with such
ne glect and contempt that he shed tears
He appealed 10 the court to give him cus-
tcdy Of the girl but ar she was OF age
the Judge permitted her TO choose whether
she would go with her father or remain
at the community. and she coolly replied
that she didn't care TO go with her father
but that she was perfectly content at Point
Iona.
On Dec. II, 1901. Judge Shaw of Los
Angeles decided that John j. BONN Of
Chicago was entitled to the custody Of
his two children, who we're in Mrs Ting
ley's hands The Bohn case shows how
homes are broken up by theosophy.
MIR Bohn sent his wife TO Point Iona
from Chicago for her health. Mrs. Bonn
became a believer in Mrs. Tingey and
induced her husband to send her two chill
dren TO her. He alleged that she didn't
say that she intended to place the children
in the association school.
When he finally came out to San Diego
10 get his wife and children and take them
home, he found that his wife's mind had
been poisoned against him. She actually
declared that he had been making love to
her own mother and that he was unfit TO
have the custody of the children. This
charge against the husband was supported
by Mrs Tingey, who declared on oath
that BONN and his mother-in-law exerted
a diabolical influence over Mrs, BONN and
the children.
DR. Mary F.. Green Of Charlotte, Mich,
Mrs Bohn's mother, is well.xnown physi-
clan and established army kitchens ia
Cuba during the war. She testified to the
evil influence Of theos ophy over her daugh-
'er. and wept while recounting the daugh-
tcr's strange bitterness against her husband
and herself.
I'm testified that when he first went
TO Poin, Iona he was greatly surprised
to find the place surrounded by a high
fence and guarded by uniformed seItinels.
who blew bugles when any one approached.
About 200 PEOPLE seemed TO be living within
the grounds.
He took his boys for a walk. and on his
return his wife said he had been invited
TO the temple. He went along with others
IN a procession He said
Every one Of the brotherhood wore a
hood and held up the right hand. In the
children. and they we're called upon TO tell
of spiritual experiences,
These children. was told were mostly
from Cuba and belonged to the Raja Yoga
school Mrs Tingley spoke Of great
lesson 10 be learned by watching these
children, and then the meeting broke up.
Il left the temple very depressed, and
told my wife didn't want our boys to join
the Raja Yoga school. WAS terribly
shocked when she cried out to me:
You hypocritel You -, low
lived hypocrite. will take the children to
old Mexico and you will never see them
again!
Il had never heard her use profane Ian
guage before, and went out stunned and
bewildered
After this Bohn testified that he could
never see his boys without securing an order
of court. Mrs. Tngley testified that Bohn
and D.. Green were not actuated by the
feelings which they professed, but were
being used by enemies Of the brotherhood
to make a covert attack on the Point Iona
institution. She created sensation by
saying in an excited way:
y believe the thread traces back into the
heart Of the Catholic Church; and II it takes
thousands of dollars and years to accom-
plish IT, | shall find out this conspiracy
Mrs. Tingley did not show much
theosophical calm on the witness stand
as she scoded the opposing counsel for
asking questions she did not like and talked
back to the Court. so that the Judge was
obliged to warn her repeatedly to exercise
more sclf-contro or he would he forced 10
punish her for contempt Of court.
When the cus' ody Of the children was
given to the husband. the mother showed
no other feeling than chagrin over the
oss of the contest. Bohn returned 70
Chicago with his boys and there secured a
divorce
Mrs. Ttngey has spent very large
amount Of money in making attractive the
Point Iona headquarters Of the Universal
R-oihs-hood. The NAN building Is an
imposing structure Of Byzantine archi-
tecure. with domes, and with wide porches
extending around it,
The grounds are beautifully ornamente ed
with trees and shrubs In the furnishi nc
oftherempla Of Isis everything is Egyptian.
Many of the members, however. live in
tents and most Of the children OF the Ra ia
Yopa School dwell in this primitive way