Evening journal., 1910-07-20
GIRL VICTIMS
OF QUEER POWER
FaStet and Punished As Re-
suit of Negro Preachers
Vaccinations
PRACTICED MYSTERIOUS
RELIGIOUS RITES

BY United Press Leased Special Wire
WASHINGTON, July 20.-Thfee
young white women-two of them dy-
ing and one almost insane-were TAX
en- in charge here today by the po-
lice, who allege that they are victims
of the mysterious Vaccinations of
the Rev. Jonah Samuel Sturdivant, a
negro preacher. who is serving a
three-year Jail sentence in Baltimore
having been arrested on the charge
of bigamy.
Gertrude Monsen, one of the VIC
Tins, who a year ago was a bloom
ing, sturdy Norwegian girl, just ar
rived in this country to seek her for
tune lies in Georgetown Hospital
wasting away with the dread disease,
pellagra, her case being the first one
ever known this far north.
Police authorities today, after con-
sulting physicians who have been ex-
amining the girl, and relating the
story as they have learned it, declar-
ed that the Monsen girl had brought
the scourge upon herself through fast
ing and self-inficted punishment,
which she underwent during long
houg hours of incarnation and mys-
terious religious riteG, by which she
hoped to bring about the miraculous
opening of the negro preachers pris-
on doors.
Hilda Johnston, also a Norwegian
immigrant, whom the preacher mar
ried and who was the most beautiful
of the three a year ago, lies today
wasted away and dying in a negro
hospital, where she recently became
a mother.
Girl Almost Insane.
Addie Codding, the third victim. was
found living i'm a bare room, empty
Of furniture and food, above a hovel
inhabited by Mother" Williams. a
destitute negro woman. The girl was
almost insane from want, hifnger and
neglect. as the result of the peculiar
relngious frenzy from which she suf-
fered. The Williams woman told the
police that she prayed and sang all
day and all night.
II was from this room over the
hovel that Gertrude Monsen was TAX
en- to GEORGETOWN Hospital, where she
was found to be suffering from the
strange disease
The case was brought to light
through the arrival in this country
of Olga BrantOn who travelled from
Norway, at the instance of the aged
parents Of the Johnston girl, and came
here in search of her. She enlisted
the aid of Mrs. M. b. Graves. a mis-
sion worker, and together they dis
covered the strange combination of
circumstances which trace back to
the peculiar power of the jailed negro
preacher.
Defends Negro Prophet.
Addie COdding today told the po-
lice that she had two married sisters
i'm Boston. She talked calmly, OPEN
ly defending the negro prophet.
81 have been called by the AL
mighty since I was twelve years old
she said. when can, intend to go
to Africa. Brother Sturdivant was
given a revelation, and we, who know
have followed him. He is in jail now
but our sacrifices will open the doors
as they were thrown open to Apostle
Peter"
The black prophet is said to have
practiced his powers i'm New York,
Philadelphia and Newport News, as
well as in Baltimore and Washing
ton.
1t was alleged that he lashed the
white women with leather belt and
when charged with this in court, he
is said to have admitted it and de-
clared that he did it to drive devils
out of them.
Had Another Wife.
1t was learned in Baltimore that
he had a negro wife when he mar
ried the white girl, and a charge OF
bigamy was filed. In the meantime
he had moved to this city. The ar
rest was made here and the police
believed they broke up the band of
women followers. When the reports
were made to the police today 1t was
the first heard Of the women since
Sturdivant was jailed
Government physicians have been
studying the case of Gertrude Monsen.
who has pellagra. She has not been
told of what she is suffering, and evi-
IDENTIFY believes that her body is be-
ing wasted away in sacrifice for the
negro prophet. At times she talks of
him, and the nurses say she told them
that she had to fast and suffer TO
bring about his deliverance.
Addie Codding will probably be sent
to Boston, and If through good fortune
and expert attention, the other girls
recover, they Will be sent back to
Norway.