Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
SUNSHINE CULT
MISSIONARY IS
TAKEN BY POLICE
Franklin Clark, Colored, Robs
Two Davenport Catholic
Churches.
OPERATED TN THIS CITY
Solicited Funds for Work Here
Parseins In Priests Vestments
When Arrested.
OPERATED IN THIS CITY

Franklin Clark. alias Sarvay Carida-
coiored. a native of New York state.
ard who has been posing as a Filipino
missionary and claiming TO be mem
Der OF the Sunshine Cult" was placed
under arrest by Lieutenant of Police
Flank Lew at noon Saturday and con-
fessed that he raided two Davenport
Catholic churches. Vestments and
images. which are valued at $500,
were found in the mans rooms at the
residence OF David Underhill, colored.
2l29 Harrison street, and at the Ko-
kC mo house. lis East Fifth street. He
spent several days last week in Rock
Island soliciting funds for the Sun
shine Cult"
In a confession 70 the police short
" after his arrest the Sunshine Mis-
sicnary" admitted that he had entered
ST Anthony's Catholic church. Fourth
and Main streets. Monday afternoon.
walked up TO the tabernacle of the
main altar. stole a gold chalice, a sill
Yer receptacle for altar bread, a cruel
fix. an alb. stole and cassock, vest
ments. a small cross from a statue
near the altar. and an altar boys cas-
sock
on the same afternoon Clark admits
that he went TO the Sacred Heart ca
tIedral. Tenth street between Iowa
End LeClaire. secured a gold plated
censor. which he claims was standing
near a statue at the front OF the
church.
'Ah thought de articles would bring
me good luck" declared Clark when
asked why ne had stolen them.
Posed as Missionary"
Clark at first insisted that he had
been a Filipino missionary for a num-
her OF years and that he was born
near Black Mountain Luvary'' in the
Philippine Islands. When asked for
lis age ne replied that he did not
Know He appe>-s TO be a man of "a
years. is small OF stature. and OF me-
dunn build. His features are not those
of a native of the Islands.
The St Anthony's church robbery
lad been reported TO the Davenport
police shortly after NJ Monday. City
Eetective =. J. Phelan was assigned TO
the case. After running down various
cleWs the detective became convinced |
Il at the robber was a colored man. /
This opinion was also shared by Lieu !
tenant Frank J. Lev. who had been I
investigating the case with the de-
tective.
Clark Walks Into Station.
Saturday noon Clark walked into the l
Davenport police station.
Does yo' want to buy a ticket TO I
nah lecturer" he inquired OF Lieuten- 1
ant Lew.
What Lecturer" asked the lieuten-
ant. his suspicious becoming aroused
'Ah am goin' 70 TO talk at de Y. VI. /
g a mex week" declared Clark.
Who are your the lieutenant in
quired.
Nah name is Sarvay Carida- All
am a missionary. high priest oh de
Sunshine Cult"
Just step inside a minute" said the
lieutenant. Il wish TO speak with you"
The colored man hesitated and Lieu
tenant Lew stepped from behind the
desk and placed him under arrest A
search warrant was obtained and City
Detective Phelan went TO the Kokomo
house where he found the stolen cen
ser.
Lieutenant Lew went to the Under
" God residence. where Clark was stop
ping. The rest OF the stolen articles