The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-06
MEMBERS Of STRANGE
CULT IN QUARREL
Big Mass Meeting to Put
Purnoll on Trial to be
Held.
EXPOSE SECRETS
Leader Nea Collapse and Police
Called to Guard Against
Violence.

Benton Harbor Mich. Sept. 6.-Prac-
tees Of BENJAMIN PurneI. leader of the
frying Rollers. in his House OF David
headquarters, and details OF his meth
ods In conducting under the guise OF
IeHglon observation-disclosures white slave
farm are TO be exposed In a monster
cltl1ens mass meeting IN the Benton
fiarbor armory Sunday afternoon.
/ Circulars reading Township and
Citizens Arise" have been scattered
broadcast in Benton Harbor and s.. To-
seph and on the farms in the vicinitv.
1t is expected that more people than
the armory can comfortably hold will
be present
Among the speakers will DE Harry
NJ. Williams OF milwaukee,. for seven
teen months House OF David mem
| Der; William Cleveland. an Australian.
| in whose case the British government
first become interested, with the re-
suit that the British consulate in Chi
cago now is seeking to protect British
subjects among PurneIl's 400 follow
ers Margaret Bryson OF England. for
merly nurse. who has been obliged
TO exc out a miserable existence on a
small plot of ground outside Benton
Harbor under Purnells dictatorship,
and one or more local clergymen.
Guard Against Violence.
While no disorder or violence Is an
ticipated. the police have made SPECIAL
arrangements to preserve order There
was stone throwing and rioting near
the House OF David last spring when
baeksliders from the teachings Of Pur-
nell addressed a large crowd OF Flying
Rollers and importuned them to desert
him. The speakers were making head
way when G crowd of Purnelrs closest
adherents gathered and the visitors
were stoned away.
If the activity of the deputy attor-
ney-general the deputy secretary of
state. the British vice consul, the de-
partment of public instruction and the
United States postofice department
frightened Purnell into flight in one OF
his four automobiles last night he
changed his mind about going far
away. Yesterday he was at the House
of David. as were his wife and Cora
Mooney, Purnelrs most trusted advisor
and Mrs. Purnelrs companion.
On Verge of n Collapse.
Although Purnell has made no state
ment, it is said he on the verge of a
complete nervous collapse and break
down as a result OF revelations con-
corning him and his affairs. He has
been failing in health for two years,
according TO people who have seen him
constantly. and persons here who are
familiar with his appearance would not
be surprised to hear that he was about
to relegate his business to others or
leave the community before the state
and other proceedings reach a climax.
The investigation by the United
States government of PurneIrs use Of
the malls is the one new development
that has worried the Flying Roller
leader most thoroughly.
Whole Desertfons Expected.
The announcement that the British
consulate's firm of lawyers had said
that receipts given TO Purnell were
worthless has encouraged many Of his
followers in their purpose to desert the
sinking House OF David ship. These
helpless people from many lands and
states have invariably signed over all
the real and personal property they
possessed and have given all their
money, goods and chatteIs to the
House Of David and IN the name Of
Benjamin and Mary PurnelI forever
ceipts have no value, the bylaws under
which they agreed to sign over every
thing in the name of Purnell and his
wife also are worthless and need not
: be considered seriously. PurnelPs own
lawyer told him almost as much last
Monday in the presence Of the state
officials.
Many of these people, men. women
} and children. are expected to appear
, at the citizens armory meeting on sun
, day.
Rollers TO Criticize Foes.
A public meeting will also he held
by the Flying Rollers on Sunday after
noon in the grove adjacent the House
OF David grounds. The Flying Rollers
have been told that several Of the men
close IN the condolences of PurneIl
would severely arraign, publicly every
body who has had any part in the
: movement to GUST them from the com
/ munity.
) II had been understood that ". p
, Harvey of the law firm OF Gore & Har-
: vey, which has been engaged to save
PurneH from extinction as a business
religious leader, would have a state
; ment to make when his work Of draft
Z ing new articles of association and by
Z laws were completed
). AS Mr.. Harvey made no announce
, ment it IS inferred thar in trying t
i find q way to reconcile the existence O.
e a church and a business organization
! under one head. He will also have t,
| find a way whereby Purnell could tax,
: everything from his followers and Civ
: them in return nothing but their re
ligion. some old clothes, no promp
: medical attention. scanty food and hu
( little education for their children.
/ Anu-JewIsn Crusaoe r.nuess.