The sun., 1907-08-20
HOLY ROLLERS LET CHILD DIE
CORONERS JURY HOLDS FATHER
AND MOTHER FOR NEGLECT.

Both Pray Aloud IN Court Before They
Testify Admit They Gave Baby No
Medicine e-Frenziod sect's Noisy Meet.
ing Disturbs Inquest NJ Tsttenyilie.
Several weeks ago the Holy Rollers Of
Tottenvile. Staten Island. prayed for five
hours that Peter Peterson, member of
the strange sect, might die because in the
excess Of religious zeal he had proc claimed
that he was ready to be received by the
Lord. Peterson still lives. but yesterday
Ruth. his fifteen months old daughter.
died at his home on Breauhaut avenue
unattended by a physician. Following
the tenets Of the Holy Rollers. Peterson
and his wife had prayed over the sick child
instead Of administering the medicines
physician had prescribed.
Last night when Peterson and his wife.
Anne, were called before a Coroner's jury
to tell why they had allowed the child to
suffer without medical aid both requested
tina. they might pray for Divine guidance
before giving their testimony. The mother
tin Cahil and the jury and lifted up her
voice i'm a prayer.
Almighty God" she said. Il left my
loved one in Your hands for knew that
IL You saw At 10 save its life You would.
Now that You have taken my child away
know that You have done It for the best.
and know You will permit me to see il in
heaven some time. The Almighty God
is powerful and I am satisfied that no
doctor on earth could prescribe medicine
which would cure my child il God saw
fl to take it away. II God saw fit He
could restore my child to me"
While Mrs. Peterson was praying the
Holy Rollers. who had purposely hired
hall next door to the Knights Of Pythias
temple. where the inquest was in progress.
were engaged in praying vociferously for
the souls Of the man and woman who were
being examined. Their shouts Of glory
and hymns Of praise dinned into the Coro-
ner's room constantly during the proceed
ings Mr.. and Mrs. Peterson were held by
the Coroner 70 appear before the Magis-
trate's court in Stapleton to-day.
As soon as the fact OF the ohild's death
was reported to the Tottenville police sta
tioo yesterday morning District Attorney
John J. Kenny Of Stspleton was notified
and Coroner Cahiil began an investigation.
Peterson admitted that the child had been
allowed 10 suffer without the administr alton
Of medicines because. he said. II II was the
Lords will that the little one should die no
human aid could avail to save her. He said
that a week ago he had called in DR.. David
Coleman. who had recommended medicines
for the infant. but the prescriptions were
never filed. The doctor had been called
only because Peterson thought that in
case of her death the physician would sign
a death certificate.
When the District Attorney made an
OF the case yesterday he
learned much OF the peculiar practices
Of the Holy Rollers. The Christian Al |
lance is the name the denOIniration gives !
itself The sect has church in Totem |
vile and carries on religious services Of a
character 10 set most Of the people of Totem |
vile in protest against tho votaries. Those
who have attended the services told Dis
trict Attorney Kenny that in the frenzy
OF their religious mania the worshippers
roll about the floor and climb under the
ssats, men and women unfortunately.
Below the floor Of the church there n a
prayer cellar with sign over the door,
This is for Christ only" Here. it is said,
religious orgies are carried on without
lights and sometimes far into the morning.
At recent meeting OF the sect Peterson
is said to have proclaimed that he was so
pure and 40 happy in the redemption that
he knew to be his that he wanted TO he
at once. Whereupon all the
united in Ave hours serious
sndeavor through prayer to have the Lord
show His strength and blast Peterson on
he spot.
II is the belief of the Holy Rollers that
and physicians services are inter-
ferences with the will Of the Almighty.
md consequently prayer is the only remedy |
'or sickness among them. Recently when
woman OF the flock was about to give |
birth to a child the Holy Rollers fought
against the calling In OF a physician until |
,eighbors insisted. The child had been
nailed before its advent as a promised |
prophet
An autopsy held yesterday afternoon
developed the fact that Peterson's baby
rad died Of inflammation of the bowels At
he Coroners inquest held last night ,
Peterson freely testified that he and
lis wife had made no effort TO minister to
he sick child except through fasting and
lraver