Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-06-21
BRIDGES, DISCIPLE OF
ABSOLUTE LIFE CULT, STANDS
By LEADER.
ADMITS LIFE IN TEMPLE
WAS NOT ALL STUDY
Sec and His Followers Played Gam es
and Indulged in Other Pastimes-
Cult Heads Attorneys to Base De-
fense on Plea That He Was "Spirit"
life-Fences With Prosecutor.

Chicago. June 21.-Mildred Bridges.
for whose alleged abduction Evelyn
Arthur See, founder Of the Absolute
Life cult, is being tried, again took the
stand when the trial was resumed to-
day. In answer to questions she de-
clared that she, See, and Mona Rees
spent many Of their evenings in the See
home, reading and playing games, for
getting for the while the study Of Alb
solute Life.
She declared she believed See re-
celved divine inspirat tion for his writ
ings.
"The Spirit" on Trial.
Not Evelyn Arthur See, but "the
spirit" is on trial in Judge Honore's
court. This will be the line followed by
Sees attorneys when the testimony for
the defense is reached. The Book Of
TRUTH which the prosecution presup-
poses to have been written by See the
defense will attempt to prove pro-
duction of "thes pirit."
Who is "the spirit? indications
mark his dwelling place as the person
of Mona Rees. but Of his actual person.
aItiy neither court nor jury is likely to
have more than appears in his writ
ings, such as the Book Of Truth" and
the manuscript on Family and Per-
sonality." Couched in vague, enigma tic,
semi-biblical language. the production
of See-or "the spirit'-offer excel
lent opportunities for such an inter-
neutrality-suspicious. that counsel
for the defense intends to use to ad-
vantage when the defendants testi-
mony begins.
Witness Self Contained.
It was a slender, dark faced, self
contained girl who followed the bailiff
into the court room yesterday when the
prosecution called for Mildred Bridges.
With reassuring smile at See she took
her seat in the witness chair and gaZed
at Assistant States Attorney Burn
ham. Chairs scraped as the court room
wheeled into position for a view of the
girl who knows the inmost secrets of
the House of the Lord" on Racine
avenue.
Nearly every one present knew that
in the morning Mildred had rebuffed
another attempt at reconciliation by
her father, with the words. II will never
testify against Mr.. See" Every one
knew that the prosecution had called
her unwil!!ngIy: that Assistant Sta te's
Attorney Burnham would have pre-
fered to wait until he could introduce
Sees Book on Family and PERSONAL
ity." the admission of which is now
under judicial advisement.
If Mildred Bridges knew anything In
eliminating concerning her teacher she
was not disposed to tell it, Her an
to-. to-
taneity and careful regard for the
truth. were absolutely unilumnative.
AS often as the prosecutor would ap-
pear to have her cornered. she would
feint gracefully, and. like a good pugi-
list, manage to score before she broke
away. Her scores usually took the
form Of some unsolicited testimonial In
regard to the virtue OF See and his "ab-
solute life" Her voice was low but
easily distinguishable. She was dress
ed in a yellow sailor suit, with a wide
velvet bow below tho white hollow Of
her neck AS she spoke her eyes
flashed continually from judge to jury,
pleading or resentful.
Looks Scorn at Judge.
Twice, when Judge Honore ruled
against her she scorched him with a
doubtedly would have constituted high
contempt Of court.
do you know the meaning Of an
oath?" was one Of Burnham's first
questions.
"Yes." The tone was convincing,
but the prosecutor evidently feared
some inward reservation.
Does the word truth mean anything
= RI
first met the defendant, See?"
She shook her head. For five min
utes more Burnham tatively tested
his line, plainly apprehensive that in
her allegiance to See and the absolute
life" the girl would find excuse for
evasion in her answers. Then he
launched into his questions.
when was it," he asked, that you
first visited the home Of See on Racine
avenue?"
The girls eyes closed, she frowned,
and seemed to be involved in an earnest
effort at thought.
II don't remember" she said finally.
That was the beginning. AS the ques-
tioning progressed and the questions
touched closer and closer upon See and
his relations with the girl inmate of
his temple" Mildred's memory grew
rapidly worse. She could not even
recollect whether she had written any
of Sees revelations; as for dates, con-
versations. and the like. her mind was
a complete blank. She always ap-
peared to be trying hard to remember.
but it was seldom that she succeeded.
did you ever read any Of Sees
manuscripts?'
II don't remember"
would you know his handwriting? ~
Maybe. I'm not sure"
when did you go to reside at See's?"
This time the answer came clear and
quick-too quick for tho prosecutor.
"My parents took me there in Janu-
ary."
x didn't ask you when your parents