The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-22
Officials Begin Probe of Secret
Cult Founded IN Medical
School.
TAKES IN OUTSIDERS.
Former Investigation Failed,
but DR.. Smith Is Sure He
elias Goods" Now.

PHILADELPHIA. Dec. Z.-ouaker
CITY ''high bnows' are interested In an
investigation being made at tho in
stance Of DR.. Edgar r. Smith, vice-pro-
vost OF tho University OF Pennsylvania.
OF tho occult organization The Order
OF tho Fifteen"
Members strongly deny charges mede
by Dr. Charlotte Abbey. who has an
nounced her resignation from The Or
de- OF the Fifteen" because OF teach
irss she said have been PROMULGATED.
The order was founded two years ago
aud, according to some OF Its support
ers. 1t merely believes IN reincarnation
and that another Messiah will appear
on earth between 1925 and 1850.
The founder and leader Is f. Homer
Curttss. senior in the medical school
Of the university. Students in the uni
versity, as we'll as men and women not
connected with It, are members. Tho
highest degree of tho order is the Inner
circle and the members OF this are
Curtiss. Mrs. Valerie Mountain, a pri-
vate teacher, OF No. 725 East woodlawn
avenue, Germantown: DR.. Rockwell r
Robinson, a dentist, OF No. 1921 Chestnut
street; Mrs. Marion Van Moss, No 1901
Springfield avenue, and Miss Harrie.
Brown, OF Garden street and Ridge ave-
nue.. The meetings OF the inner circle
are held in the latter's apartments
"One of the most eminent citizens of
Philadelphia" said DR.. Smith, long
ago called my attention to a report that
IN the university there was an organiza-
u hnl hal fo
Of FREQ love that were Mt variance with
those held by most Of us. The investi-
cation then amounted to nothing
Literature of the Order of Fifteen
has since been given me, and I am not
afraid to say that portions of this lit
erature have shocked me. / have made
UP my mind that II the real author is
student In this university he shall not
be student here much longer,
Others profess to have found the liter
allure harmless. and say the organiza-
ton should welcome an inquiry. DIR.
Smith says he understands the literature
has gone into this universities and col.
'eges in the West to which the investi-
CATION will be extended.
I'VE intend to find out just how wide
spread this organization Is" conttnue ed
DIR. Smith. and what Il stands for "
Curtiss Is said to have attended. before
lie came here. the University Of Texas
and Purdue University. IN Indiana. lie
Is thirty-two years old and wears
glasses and a black vandyke beard. All
the business of the organization Is car
ried on by correspondence.
Miss Harriet Brown to-day gave en-
phatic denial to reports regarding the
society.
There is no society, no inner circle"
she said "A few friends OF long stand
ing who are Interested IN theosophy, AS
taught by the late Mime. Blavatsky,
meet in my apartments Sunday after
moons 10 discuss the creed. II such IT
may be called. We have no regular
organization. It. Homer Curtiss, whom
have known for ii number of years.,
IS acting as secretary. We have no
other officers. ard pay no dues
zone OF tho women who attends Is
eIghty-tour years old. another is forty
| We have al known each other for more
than ten years"