The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-18
Obear Viii Be Prosecuted For
Malicious Libel, Says Fealy
Denies Using Hypnotic
Powers on Mrs. Obear.
UphOlds Healing"
pie Too Busy Looking on
Outside to Look Within"
He Declares
BY WILLIAM HAGGARD

attacked, l.. A. Fealey, presi-
dent of the Altrurian society,
yesterday stated that Maj.
William Gray Obear and his
brother, George Obear, will be
prosecuted to the full extent
of the law, on a charge of ma
licious libel.
Offenders of the Altrurian society
here and elsewhere feel that the prin-
ciples of their religion have been at
tackled, owing to the accusation brought
against me by Mai. William obear TO
the effect that 1 have used hypnotic
mowers in connection with healing" he
said yesterday.
This declaration was made Hollow
ing the filing of an application 1oe
an Injunction in chaneery court oy
Major William Obear against L. a.
Fealy and Mrs. Legare Obear, his w1te'
Major Obear alleges that wnlle ne
was in the service Of his country
rBishop" Fealy, as was the title given
him by the Altrurian society, wleldeo
hypnotic or undue influence over Mrs.
!Obear, causing her to expend foollsh-
'ly $50 600 of her Inheritance OF sfs'-
900. He asks in the bill that Feay
be restrained from exerting further
undue influence over his wife and
bajr chill
dren, William, Julia Hill and Lesafe
Bowles Obear. be granted him. de
also filed application for an injunction
asking that his wife. Mrs. Legare
Obear be restrained from interfering
with the possession of the complain
ants home and children.
In response to the accusations made
Mrs. Obear stated that the money ex-
pended was well invested and besides,
TINT n WINS her own to spend as she
saw fit, "Had i not possessed MEANS"
she said. ssthe Injunction would have
not been filed.
The latest development in the case
toolxApla yesterday, when Bishop
Fealy declared that sensational nbel
SUITS had been filed or would be flied
against Major Obear and his brother.
llibel A written statement by Feaiy
follows:
FEALY'S STATEMENT
.'I have been a minister of the A.
trurian church for 80 years. During
that time 1 have received great
number of contributions for this
work by grateful ones who have been
healed by the power OF God Ihe
same ones I was instrumental IN neal /
ing 80 years ago are still devoted
members of our work and still slve
contributions.
II have never been accused of fraud
or am 1 known by my members or by
the people generally other than an
upright citizen, nor is my work cor
demned by any who are familiar
with ii.
"sfr. William G. Obear and his
brother. George Obear. have had suits
filed against them for malicious hbei
and will he prosecuted to the full ex-
tent Of the law The members of my
CONGREGATION here and members In
other parts of the country have In
sisted that I bring these suits, mas
much as the principles of their re-
lisior have been attacked.
.'Tt is a principle of the Altruriaa
Echurch that it has heretofore ana VIII
lsnow receive contributions from any
lone who so wishes and who can afford
lit 1t does not coerce members anu
has no membership fees.
Mrs Obear has contributed lfber-
ally to the church and ! believe now
and have always believed she is per-
fectly able to do so without inter1er-
ling or hurting her fortune.
VI "'The two pieces of property which
lEshe sold in Georgia have been con-
Eyerted into property here which she
thas in her own name that equals Or
/ exceeds the property there sold TINS
we will prove.
Major Obear has never been TO
! France. but was stationed the entire
| two years of the war In GEORGIA and
! in Texas, where Mrs. Obear. with the
| children. visited him every few weeks
..In regard to Mrs. Obear and her
! family staying with my family wnile
| Major Obear was in camp, |, will say
! that it met with Major Obear's APP
| prevail. he seeming TO think it a very
good arrangement for the time he
| would be in camp.
NONSUPPORT CHARGED
Mrs. Obear has stated to me. aad
| is ready to prove, that Major Obear
| has not for the past five years con-
tributed to the support Of herself 81
her children. In fact. he has lives
off her bounty During that time my
l ADVICE HdS DcCii loi hci W NC eOiNi
ant and patient and to exemplify The
l teaching of Christ, for which oul
work stands All this she has done
| until the principles of her religion
have been attacked, and now she feels
| it is necessary that the public know
| the truth.
I'm regard to either my family CT
myself visiting Mrs. Obear's family
| during the winter or al any other time
in the past or future. / would say
have made it a practice not to visii
in the families of my members. save
only when they are in deep distress
/ and then only in association with one
tContinued on Page Nine.)