The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-09
HOLY GHOST AND US SOCIETY
 IS A BLOT ON MAINE
Governor's Investigation Reveals Startling Condi- ton of Affairs in Sandford's Re-
 ligiouS Colony.

Sandford is a hypnotist and is not hon est in his teachings.
 At present there are nearly 700 peo- pie in the Shiloh colony. With the ex- ception of a few families-possibly twenty-five, who reside on farms bought by Sandford a few years ago the entire colony lives in the buildings on the hilltop. Men, women and chill dren mingle together on this barren sandhill, devoting their entire time to prayer and study of the Bible. Night and day some one is praying on the hilltop.
 Invade the Prayer-ROOm.
 Constant prayer was broken for the first time in the history of the Holy Ghost and-Us Society when County Att torney Crockett and other members of his party of inspection entered the tur- ret, or prayer-room, in the temple. It was the first time that any person not a member of the society ever stepped foot inside the turret. Three women were praying there when MT. Crockett en- tered. They were gratly shocked at the sudden appears of strangers in this forbidden place, and ceased to pray.
 When Sandford was informed by cable what had been done by County Attorney Crockett and party, he imme- diately responded with a severe repri- mand for the elders who had admitted the visitors. Acting on instructions contained in a cablegram from Sand ford, the elders refused to admit MT. Crockett on a second visit when he was accompanied by Rev. P. r. Marston, pastor of the Pine Street Congrega- tional Church, and President of the Lewiston and Auburn Pastors Union, and Dr. A. T. Salley of the Main Street F. B. Church, Lewiston.
 During the last convention at Shiloh the Holy. Ghostefs became so noisy during the night that neighbors sum moned constables from Lisbon Falls to quiet the disciples. Leonard BeaIs, farmer-poet, Who resides less than half mile from the hilltop, says that he has passed many sleepless nights since the investigation has been on, owing to the shouting of the Shiiohites. who run madly about the Shilohites at midnight waving torches and dancing in the sand.
 Why" said MT. Beal. shiloh has become such a nuisance that we can t sell our farms. Nobody dares to move into the town of Durham, which is now facing bankruptcy. We don't know what day we may be called upon to support TOO homeless and penniless peoplc-people incapable of supporting themselves from physical and mental weakness. Our taxes have increased and our property depreciated in value. Some have sold their farms to Sandford at his own price and moved away"
 SandfOFd Grabbed EYerything.
 When Sandford sailed for Jaffa with seventy-five or more of his favorites when he picked from the Shiloh colony he mortgaged several of the farms to raise funds with which to equip his fleet. He took all of the available pro- visions. clothing and general supplies and left the 700 disciples without a cent of money and iT. a destitute con- dition.
 After Sandford had sailed conven- ton was held and for seven days the people prayed and lasted, but their prayers were uparswered and the star vation period Continued until the State authorities began an Investigation. All they had to eat was mush and milk or porridge made of rolled oats and wa ter--one scant meal daily at o'clock in the afternoon, when the well and sick met together in the large and poorly furnished dining-room. Often times the porridge or mush was served uncooked, as they had no fuel. Now they are burning green pine and cook ing Indian, fashion with kettles in the open air.
 But the agitation against Shiloh has brought returns to the suffering hu- manity the8e. Sympathizers from all quarters of the globe have sent dona- starving Shilohites. This week a check for $1,O00 was received from woman in Tacoma, Wash. Of the money re- ceived at Shiloh during the past two weeks several hundred dollars have | been cabled to Sandford. who is now in 1 bo i6 he in need | of money. State Agent Eben N. Perry 1 of Portland and District Agents l. Fl l Purinton of Bowdoinham and George A. | Allen of Auburn, representing the Hu- mane Society who have visited the | Shiloh barns this week-to see what care | is given the live stock report shock | ing conditions. Horses so poor and l lame that they cannot stand alone 1T 1 their stalls are Supported with pulley' or in slings.
 The horses are kept in an open shed l and exposed to the storms and colo | weather. There Is but little hay 1T the barns. and no grain. The cattle cows and calves have just been taker | from the pasture where they have go ] their own living until the snow covered , the grass Then for several days the! browsed on park and branches of tree | and were not taken to the barns unti
 
 tliorities by neighbors. All told, ther' arc about twenty horses and twent, odd cows in the Shiloh barns at tn | present time.
 All of the buildings are badly il ! need of repairs. and many of them ar | not in a habitable condition. Eve since the ground has been covered with snow several families have beel 1 living in tents pitched on the side O l the hill Here they sleep on bough bods and eat uncooked food
 Among others Disciple Matchett an
 his family are living in a tent som distance from the shiloh buildmgi proper When AIr, AIatchett becam converted he sold his home and per sonal property in Topeka, Kas- an came to Shiloh to live. That was hy years ago.
 Ate Crackers and COdhsh. Just before Sandford sailed for Jatf