San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-23
WITNESS
ACCUSES
PURNELL
Former Secretary Declares
He Should Be Be-
hind Bars.
| ADMITS HER GUILT
"Was His Partner in Every
Crooked Deal" She
Testifies.
"WAS FOR THE FAITH
| ellis How Cult Head
"Raaled" Her by Auto
suggestion.
ADMITS HER GUILT
"WAS FOR THE FAITH"

Grand Rapids. Mich. March 2S.-
An admission during cross-examina
ton that she fought TO be behind the
bars for her acts in behalf of the
Israelitc House of David, marked the
testimony in federal court here today
of Esther Hansell, for thirteen year,
private secretary of Benjamin Dayit
Purnell. head of the cult. in the suit
instituted by her parents-at-lav
against Purneil.
The witness, during cross-examina'
ton. declared she had violated thC
law Tor Purnell, believing it was the
faith 49,. ~
II was partner of Benjamin in
every crooked and deceitful deal in
the colony. she testified. Il per
iured myself and lied. Benjamin and
| both ought TO be behind the bars.
The witness said she had committed
perjury in connection with a preyiou
court trial.
Describing the hardships of mem
bers of the colony, the witness said
II never saw cripple admitted 10
the House of David. The The quail
LITIGATION for membership was money
a strong back and q weak mind, or
else good trade" ...
Purnell Guarded, She Says.
She had testified on direct examina-
ton that Purnell had made large
profits off the labor Of his follow
ers.
1T was in harmony with the
teaching OF the cults faith" the wit
ness said, "to change facts so that
the members of the organization might
not cast pearls before swine"
In addition to the tunnel leading
from the House of Shiloh and limou
sine held in waiting for sudden flight
Mrs. Hansell said yesterday. PurnelI
surrounded himself with an armed
bodyguard.
In connection with the bodyguarl
three permits to carry weapons wer'
offered as exhibit. One was issued e
Purnell and the others TO men nance
by the witness as members of thu
armed band.
When the witness was asked he
age, she was unable TO give it. Fur
nell had changed it so often" sh'
said. that she was not sure. but be
lieved she was 81 years of age.
She explained while she was travel
ing. as n House of David missionary
that Purnell instructed her to wea
girls clothing and that. while she wa
acting as his secretary, she dressed
to appear older than she really was
She had disguised herself 80 Otter
and had been so confused by the new
creation" calendar originated by Fur
nell, she said, that she lost count o
the years.
Prophesy Fell Flat.
Ecclesiastical teachings of the cul
also were described by the witness
The first books issued. she said
prophesied an 'in-gathering OF thu
faithful" in three years. The three
years passed and it became necessary
to change the literature. So sup
plement was issued in which thu
printer took the blame for the mis-
take and set the in-gathering at
distant date. 80
Mr.. Hansell was regarded as on'
of the "144, 900 immortals." but never
theless. she once tn usht she was
about to die. Her recovery was th'
result largely Of auto-suggestion. bul
at that time. She said, she believed
Purnell had 'ihea1ed' her.
He directed her TO Dress and leave
her bed and, in two weeks, she wa:
travelling as n cult preacher, she de
clared.
Mrs. Hansell was on the stand
through most of the day session ant
resumed the chair for several hours
last night. reciting further details OF
her duties as aide to Purnell.
The night session closed as th'
woman collapsed in telling of her ex
pulsion from the colony after eighteen
years of service.