San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-27

Ct. JUStpu, hich.s Apih L nc
innermost secrets of life in King"
Benjamin Purnell's House of David
were revealed yesterday 10 the grand
jury investigating alleged immortality
in the colony, when Benjamin Hill,
"a. and Mrs. NJ. Lillian Hanaford, 81,
took the witness stand.
The couple were intercepted early
yesterday at Steyensville. twelve miles
south of st. Joseph, after they had
eloped from the colony, leaving VIII
liam Hanaford, Mrs. Hanafords elder
ly husband. behind.
They told Judge Harry Dingeman,
-yk<e one-man grand jury, that they had
mot seen Purnell since Christmas, and
that members Of the cult did not know
his present whereabouts.
The story they told covered two
decades of blind submission TO Pur-
nell's faith. dwelt on love that was
frustrated and denied; marriages con-
summated by lottery and lacking even
in common affection; of gradual loss
of faith and the final decision to
break the ties Of almost lifetime,
decision that eliminated in a ro-
mantle secret flight.
Gossip Frustrated Plan.
But for a cosby railroad station
agent, their flight might have remain
ed unsolved for long time to come.
They motored in q hired car TO Ste
vensville and purchased railroad tick
cts to Chicago. The station agent,
talking over the wire 10 brother
operator here, reported two followers
of Purnell in flight, carrying two
trunks and two suit cases. The local
operator told newspapermen they
told the sheriff, and forthwith sub
poenaes were served on Hill and Mrs.
Hanaford just as they were ready
TO board a. m. train.
The pair told the grand jury they
had been childhood sweethearts in the
colony, but, when the time came TO
marry. the elders of the Purnell church
told them their love was only the
forbidden lust of the flesh. So Hills
name was placed in hat at one of
the group marriage lotteries, and was
drawn by Cletta Ward, a 15-year-old
girl. That was sixteen years ago,
and Hill, renouncing his own desires,
married Cletta, while Lillian married
Hanaford.
In 1913. Mrs. Hill lost faith in
Purnell and left the colony, Hill said,
and the same year obtained n divorce
from him. He testified that before
her departure she told HIM that
king" Benjamin had had improper
relations with her prior to their mar
~yage.
Became Vaudeyillian.
Hill said he continued at the colony
and became manager of the band,
which has toured the entire country.
He became familiar to many theatri'
cal audiences turing the bands vau-
deville engagements.
In his spare time at home Hill
worked in the colony print shop, and
there he again met his boyhooc sweet.
heart. now a fellow employe.
They began to lose faith in Pur-
nell's teachings, Hill said. Six years
ago his mother died. despite Pur-
nells claim that his followers would
live forever if they kept faith.
my mother. Hill said. "was as fine
a woman as ever lived and. il she
couldn't attain Immortality. I began
to fear I couldn't, for she had faith
to the very end"
The testimony of gross immortality
on the part of Benjamin. presented at
Grand Rapids, in civil suit last
month. was the last straw. according
TO Hill and Mrs. Hanaford. They de-
cided TO quit the colony, let Hanaford
obtain a divorce. and then marry.
His Name Drawn Again.
The sudden group marriages at the
colony last week FASTENED their plans,
for Marietta Smith. a 20-year-old girl,
drew Hills name in the wedding lot
terry and wanted TO marry him. Hill
objected so strenTously, he testified.
that Miss Smith abandoned hope and
drew again. getting S. Ray Martin,
80. Martin tried TO get the license
Yesterday, but it was refused by or
der of Attorney General Andrew
Dougherty.
Ten days ago. Hill and Mrs. Hama
ford testified, they began carrying out
their plans 10 escape from the colony.
Hills testimony. state officials said,
scontained a number of important
leads which will be developed later.
(<(f~s Hanaford knew little about the
|alleged revels in Shiloh. the home of |
Fixing" Benjamin and "Queen" Mary |
Purnell, she said. She told the grand |
|jury that she had never been molested |
|by Purnell.
The frequent reference TO the fol-
lowers Of Purnell as "IYaelites" has