Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-01

Benton Harbor. Mich, Sept 80 (By
y. PD-State police aided by Ber-
rien County deputies invaded the
House of David colony here early to-
day in a fruitless search for Benja-
min Purnell, missing head of the
cult, sought on a warrant charging
him with a statutory crime.
The raiding party consisted Of
more than fifty state police, deputy
sheriffs and newspapermen. They
reached the colony before daylight
after throwing a Gordon about the
place and posting guards on all
highways leading to it.
They trooped through the halls and
corridors of Shiloh House, the temple
home of Purncll. They pOked into
basement anC attic. seeking subter
ranean tunnels. sealed rooms and
secret passages through which Pur-
nelrs accusers charged he fitted
when officers of the law sought him.
No trace of mysterious passages or
trap doors was discovered. There
was little of the bizarre luxury reput-
cd to exist in Shiloh House and
there was no sign of king" Benja-
min.
Accompanying the raiding party
were Gladys Bamford Rubel and
Ruth Bamford Reed. former mem
bers of the colony who have brought
serious charges against the missing
cult leader. The girls, familiar with
, the raiding party through its various
rooms. -.--......
The raid had its dramatic moments,
nevertheless One was when Gladys
Bamford Rubcl and Ruth Bamford
Reed. former Shiloh girls. were sud
denly confronted by their mother. Il
colony member. Facing Mrs. Reed,
she raised her hand in a threatening
gesture and said:
GLADYS and Ruth. YOU have brought
all this trouble upon us. I want moth
ing more to do with YOU"
Mrs. Reed turned half away.
IF that's the way YOU feel. mother
she answered.
Other colony members intcrposed and
led Mrs. BamfOrd away. advising her
mot to have any words
Queen" Mary Purnell. wife Of Ben
iamin. appeared momentarily while the
party was moving through shiloh. She
denounced the affair as IAN outrage
and protested at bringing a mob into
tho house" Then she asserted it was
"all the work of outsiders" and Israel
will sooner or later come into it's own"
The huge structure where Purncll made
his Headquarters is like a beehive In
construction. There are many rooms
and the liking" had his quarters at the
back of the front section. separated
by court from an adjoining structure.
Two small rooms. connected by
hall bed in each room. huge chest
bound with brass. desk ornamented
with some unique fabric work, two
clothes closets full of clothing. and
vault containing an iron safe. greeted
the raiding party under the command
of Col. Roy G. EandcrCook.
AS the motorCade moved nearer the
colony two bearded men appeared and
looked intent1v at the string Of auto
mobiles. They then disappeared and
Immediately there was a stir. The
state police and deputy sheriffs Of Ber-
rim county were given search warrants
and then started through the colony.
The Bamford girls and their husbands
led the members of the party.
After tho first furry, utmost COM
poslre prevailed among the colonites.
Behind long row of smaller buildings
in which the lesser members live wom-
on sat huskinC corn. pecling potatoes
end drying clothes. breakfast was IN
tcrruntcd for many colonists. A num-
her of girls apparently in their teens
and dressed in plain house dresses
short and Of ordinary material. we're
about the grounds Young men with
their hair in two pla':s ana drcsSco
in oVeralls. were at Work.