Charlevoix county herald., 1919-09-05
RELIGIOUS SECT
SHUN BARBER
Whiskers Distinguishing Mark Of
Queer Colony.
Even BALL TEAM BEARDED
House OF David, Organized In 1902,
Now Has 700 Members Who Live in
Community Up to Date in Every Re-
spect-Have Pleasure Park Of 100
Acres, With Miniature Railroad and
Numerous Amusement Attractions.

At Benton Harbor, Mich, there is a
raelite House Of David. The men do
not believe In BARRIERS and permit their
hair and whiskers to grow to their
shoulders. Their community offers
many unique attractions, but by far
the greatest of them all is a long
haired and much-be-whiskered base
ball team.
In addition to being an excellent
playing aggregation, the baseball team
Is one Of the greatest attractions in
Michigan. It's catcher is king and it's
shortstop is a crown prince. Since no
Israelite is allowed to shave or cut his
hair, the players have flowing locks,
frequently extending to their waist,
and some of them have boards that
cover their chests. Black, except in
so far as the hair is concerned, is con-
sidered badge of mourning, and no
player Is even permitted to wear
black shoes. All the shoes are made
especially for them. and are tan col.
ored. Even black tape may not be
put around the handles of the bats.
Big Crowds at Games.
The Israelites have an excellent ball
park with well-kept diamond, and
back of it covered grandstand, which
can accommodate more than 1000
spectators. So as not to interrupt the
daily activities of the members Of the
community, all the games are played
on Sundays, and people flock to Ben.
ton Harbor from all the neighboring
towns and cities.
When autumn comes and the base.
the House Of David team go to the
lumber camps, where they keep in
training for the following summers
baseball contests.
The House of David was established
In 1902 by King Benjamin with the as.
sistance Of his wife, Queen Mary. The
king and his tribe came, originally,
from Australia. They believe that
they are the descendants Of the ten
lost tribes of Israel. Their occupa.
ton Is agriculture, and men and WON.
en- must take daily prescribed
amount Of outdoor exercise. Their
little city is complete in every re.
spect, except that there Is no hospital
The people are so healthy that there is
no need Of such an institution.
The community at present numbers
700 members. They have a pleasure
park Of nearly 100 acres, including
Eden springs, the waters Of which,
King David and his followers assert
have wonderful health-givlng proper
ties. The park also Is said to have
the most extensive and completely
equipped miniature railroad in the
world. Other attractions in the park
are moving picture theater, photo
graph gallery, bowling alley, zoo and
aviary and huge amphitheater seat
Ing 1900 persons.
Women Have q Band.
One Of the features at Benton Har
Dor Is a vegetarian restaurant where
all kinds Of good things to eat are
served to visitors, while the diners
listen to the music Of a band com.
posed entirely of the women Of the
community. Besides this musical or.
ganization, the men OF the House OF
David have an excellent brass band
and a stringed orchestra. Every after.
noon and evening during the summer
season these varied musical organiza.
tons give programs, which attract
hundreds of people to the park.