The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-20
Son and Daughter See
Their Mother ChOked
TO Death.
Wanted Her Cured by
Casting Out the
Devils.

CHICAGO, Sept. 2O.-Disclosure
OF one of the most horrible muir
ssrs in the history of Northern II
linois came 10 light today at Zion
City. An aged woman, a sufferer
for. years from rheumatism. was
killed by a religious sect, which be-
lieved it could cure her of the dis
ease by casting out devils" The
woman's legs, arms, neck, and ribs
were broken, and she was strangled.
The victim is Mrs. Letitia Green
haulgh, 29OO Gabriel avenue, Zion
City.
The disclosure of the murder was
made today after a midnight in
quest held at the dead woman's
home by the coroner of Lake coun-
". The case is almost without
parallel in the history of religious
beliefs.
Five Accused of Crime.
Five persons are under arrest on the
charge OF manslaughter as follows;
Harold Mitchell and his wife. as
principals.
Walter Greenhaulgh, son OF the mur-
dered woman, as accessory.
Jennie Greenhaulgh, daughter OF the
murdered woman. as accessory
Mrs. Emma smith, a neighbor, as ac-
cessory.
Coroner's Wild Ride.
Coroner Taylor and Deputy Coroner
Conrad learned Of the death early last
evening. At 1 o'clock this morning in
q driving rain they rushed TO Zion City
in an automobile, going directly to the
home OF the murdered woman They
aroused the family, and after a short
talk with them went after the MitcheIls
and Mrs. Smith. A jury was quickly
obtained and an inquest Immediately
opened.
Walter Greenhaulgh was the first wit
ness. He Is a follower Of Charles F.
Parhan. the originator of this remark
able sect, known as Parhamites.
Tined to Cast Out Devils.
The storg OF the murder as told BY
Walter vast
Wednesday morning Mr.. and Mrs.
Mitchell came to our house. Tney told
me that they had had a vision IN which
God had told them 10 come to my
mother and help me cast out the demons.
It IS our belief that when one is sick It
is because Of the demons which beset
you. He said we must start to work at
once We went into mothers room and
told her that the ceremony was TO be-
gin. Mitchell took her by one hand and
pulled 1t away from her body. Sne
screamed terribly Mitchell put his
hand over my mothers mouth and
ChOked OF her fcrfes.
1T is the devil leaving her. he said
Then he stepped back and made some
strange motions Ike a hypnotist
Mother mOaned- Then Mitchell and his
wife went TO work again. They took
her arms and pulled them out straight
There was cracking sound. I found
out atterward they broke the bones.
Ihey did the same with her legs. They
pulled az her head. She groaned and
cried out. That. said Mitchell. was the
demon leaving her body
Tortured Until Blood Ran.
Then they begun work on her min.
as they worked I saw blood there. /
was frightened, and demanded of Mitch
ell what il meant "Oh, that's Just cor
rupton coming out with the demons, ''
be explained. Finally mother fell back.
and there was no more STRUGGLING
Sne Is sleeping now, they said. she
VIII arse az supper time" Then we
went out Of the room and waited.
She did not come out, and finally he
sH went into the room and dfscoVerksl
that mother was dead
AT the conclusion Of the sons testi-
mony the inquest was continued mini
o'clock this afternoon to give the an
thorities time TO continue their inquir5y
ana 70 permit the burial Of the body.