The sun., 1903-12-16
LUGGED OFF TWO CHILDREN.
SOPHIA BRANDT SAYS SHE WAS
COMMANDED by GOD TO DO 1T.
She Lived In the House OF a Member OF q Pc
cuiiar Sect. and Her Mind Apparently
Was Anected-Carried children on
without Extra Clothing - Rescued.

II was commanded by God 10 take them,
said Sophia Brandt, 81 years old, prisoner
at Hoboken police headquarters last night,
in explaining why she kidnapped two
children of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Blewitt
with whom she lived at 1880 Park avenue
that city.
While Mrs. Bewtt was busy in her
kitchen yesterday afternoon. the Brandt
woman, who is believed 10 be demented
ran out of the front door carrying
hve-year-old Esther Blewtt in one arm
and fat little two-year-old George in the
other. The children wore no hats or
cloaks. and Miss Brandt's only extra wrap
was white apron.
She deposited the girl on the seat Of a
butcher wagon which stood near the house,
and climbed over the tailboard with the
baby. She sat down on the bottom Of the
wagon. and said, "Git ap!' to the horse.
and the animal, which was headed toward
Jersey City, started of.
The horse walked slowly down Bloomfield
street to Ferry street, without anybody
holding the reins, and didn't stop until he
reached the door of Morris Weisbart 4
Co.s establishment at 885 Henderson street,
Jersey City, where he knew some oats were
waiting for him.
Miss Brandt lifted the half frozen children
from the wagon and carried them block
along Henderson street where she attempted
TO put them into doctors buggy. The
physician rushed out of the house and saved
his buggy, as he imagined. from being
stolen.
The woman again took up her journey
due south and in the meanwhile Detective
Sergeant Nelson and Detectives Quinn and
Weinthel of Hoboken were on her trail.
She saw them coming and ran. but two
Jersey City cops stopped her at the corner
of Fourteenth and Grove streets and turned
her over to the Hoboken officers. When
she was locked up Miss Brandt continually
repeated that God had commanded her to
run away with the children. The police
were unable to find out whether she in
tended to steal or simply to borrow them.
Blewitt who is known as Brother Charles
among the followers of "The Church OF
Cod which was recently opened at sO
Adams street, told the police that Miss
Brandt originally came from High Bridge,
that she did not have any employment
and that his wife gave her home out of
pity for her. He said she wasn't servant,
OuI u566tCu nll5 piS"itC "hh Iousc-
work. He said that he noticed about
month ago that her mind seemed to be
affected. She attended the mission meet
ings regularly. prayed and sang a gooi
deal and he didn't consider her dangerou,
A Sun reporter called at the Blewitts'
home last night and got a cold reception.
Il shall tell you nothing Mr.. Blewitt said,
.Five years ago my brother was run over
and killed by train. The reporters got
it all wrong and vowed 1 would never
give them any moro news. l am going to
keep my word"
The House of God" at 90 Adams street
is said to be one of $50 similar missions
scattered over the world. 1t was opened
a week ago in the abandoned headquarters
of the Fourth " ard Republican Club
On one window Of the meeting house
appears this inscription: The Bible teaches
sanctiication, salvation, divine healing.
the unity Of Cod people,
On the other are the words Christ, the
head member and Christian. All lovers OF
the truth invited" Very little was known in
the neghborhood about the sect or Blewitt.
and Brother Charles" wouldn't talk about
himself
The full named OF the church is 4The
Church Of God and Congregation Of Saints.'
Blewitt is the leader.