The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-05-17
Search for King of Cult
CenterS In Eastern
Canada.
BY J. L. o'sULLIvAN
Copyright. 1923, by United Press


day.
Judge Harry Dlngeman, conducting
a probe into charges Of immortality
into the strange cult, received infor-
nation that Benjamin had been seen
near Ontario.
The quest for Purneu, character
ICED as 1.-The man who would be
king and who ruled in Shiloh palace
with regal pomp. was intensified as
search for additional witnesses in the
probe progressed.
The story of life in this alleged
twentieth century seragelio was told
Icy a 2O-year-old girl. Levina Johnson
Henger, a dancer, who said she had
been a "spotter" and detective. re
porting directly to the king" on in
discretions Of his flock.
Surrounded by his harem of
virgins" the seventh angel" who
is being investigated by Judge Harry
Dingeman. lived a life of luxurious
ease and splendor in this Michigan
valley of the kings"
Food was served to the modern
sultan, who maintained his corps of
maidens long after the abolition of
the Turkish rulers nest, on plates
of gold.
Rare liquors We're poured to suit his
moods and tastes in glistening goblets
studded with emeralds and rubies by
the young girl attendants. Trained
hula hula dancers furnished enter
tainment at his bidding.
His long grey beard was combed
and primped by a maid in waiting.
His bath was prepared, clothes care
fully arranged and every want an
ticipated by the score Of select
sisters" who We'd with each other for
the honor for administering to the
personal wants of the seIt-styled
brother Of Jesus Christ"
Girls ATTayed In Silks
The chosen Shiloh girls arrayed in
the finest silks while their less fortu-
nate sisters" in the colony were
allowed only toughest cotton clothes
of plain styles. maintained the royal
apartment.
The kings rooms were furnished
with rich tapestries and furnished
with luxurious couches and divans.
Valuable paintings graced the walls.
Levina, who kept the faith as pro
mulgated by the IsraeIites and obeyed
laws to the letter, while serving as
Benjamin's private detective and hula
dancer, told a frank and open story
of her life in the colony.
Benjamin seldom slept at night"
Levina said. There was always a
light in his room. He said he did
his work then, preparing his writings
and prophesies. He slept in the Cay
time. The spirits were abroad in the
night time and they would inspire his
works, he said.
Wife Lived Apart
''Twenty-three girls lived in Shiloh.
They were the favored Of the flock.
They had nothing to do but care for
Benjamin. No other men lived In the
apartment. Queen Mary. the kings
wife, even lived in a building far
separated from that Of her husband.
All other members Of the colony
worked hard; were given poor food
and insufficient clothing While I was
In Mary's retinue I acted as a spotter
for Benjamin. I was forced TO work
In the restaurant and do other hard
labor
"Benjamin's girls arose early. when
a general bell was sounded, to be pre-
pared for his appearance, breakfast
consisting Of the choicest fruits and
carefully selected and prepared food
were served the king in bed. if he de
sired.
ssyx-I,,Io Eoev,5a.,,,s, op5 t,is ,-ire-iy,e,
were satisfying their appetites with
the best of foods, the other members
of the colony were given only the
plainest victuals.
No One Eats Meat
They never had eggs. butter and
cream. OF course, none in the entire
family ate meat.
Religious services and ceremonies
were few. On the last Friday of each
month ali the brothers and sisters
more than II years old were sum
moned to the assembly hall to hear
Benjamin preach. He spoke plainly,
especially on the doctrines which pro
vide that women. must lead virgin
lives and the men must keep a pledge
of celibacy.
"On various occasions decreed by
BENJAMIN the cleansing fountain
ceremony was held to purify the
blood Of the elect. There was no
ceremonial attached. We simply
wrote out confessions Of our mis-
deeds, filed through an assembly hall
and dropped papers bearing our
signatures into a large waste basket.
These were all taken TO Benjamin.
Benjamin had small hypnotic
eye and is God-like and sympathizing
IN his manners so it is hard to resist
him.
Il didn't even tell my own mother
Of my experience until nearly a year
later" she said.
Benjamin don't want his girls to
wear black. In fact, all black clothes
were positively forbidden in the col
ony. He used to say the Devil lives
in black
Pink was also a favoTite color I'M
til some of the favOrite Shiloh girls
obtained some pink silk with which
they intended TO make waists Ben
tamin scolded them. saying pink is
a lustful color to man However,
he finally suggested that the girls
make the pink goods into ingeries.