Imperial Valley press., 1925-02-07
AUTHORITIES TO
PROBE "END-0F-
WORLD" CLIQUE
Gullible Followers Sold
All, Turned Over
Money
by United Press Leased Wire

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7.-Official
investigation of the Rowcnite Mil
lenium which failed to materialize
as predicted by Mrs. Margaret w.
Rowcn, leading prophecies of the
Reformed Seventh Day Adventists,
was launched today by Los Angeles
authorities.
Complaints of dissillusionad fol
lowers that they had disposed Of
their early possessions in anticipa-
tion of the world 5 end at midnight
as forecast by Mrs. Rowen. and
contributed to the cause, prompted
chief investigator Poland of the ci-
ty prosecutors office to order 4
complete inquiry.
Mrs. Rowcn 5 disciples We're split
wide open today as 4 result Of the
world end dobaclc, and many of
them took their grievances direct
to the district attorneys office.
One disappointed believer, accord
ing to investigators, disposed of All
his property, including his clothing
and other personal effects, turned
over the proceeds to the Rowenites,
and waited in vain for the second
coming of Christ.
Similar experiences were related
by Il number of others, Poland said,
leading to the officials belief that
the local Rowcnitcs had capitalized
+ on the credulity of their followers.
DIR. F. J. Balzcr, leader of the
Pasadena Rowcnitcs. was made de-
fcndant in court action, instigatcd
by his former wife, Mrs. Arvillc
Mae Balzer.
Couldn't Pay Aimony
Mrs. Balzer filed n suit for 81
GOO damages, alleging her former
husband. had failed to keep up his
alimonv payments because he had
disposed of his money and property
in preparation for the resurrection.
Aside from drizzling rain, there
were no unusual manifestati ions to
encourage the enthusiasm of tho
little groups who gathered at va
rious California cities at the hour
of salvation.
The "sign' which was to have
hcralded the beginning of the
worlds dissolution fail,V 20 zap,
pear.
T A. few of the still faithful ad,
mitted rather reluctantly that there
had been perhaps a ''misintcrpreta,
ton of Mrs. Rowen's vision of
the Lord 5 visitation to earth.
Sister Anna McCausland, one of
Mrs. Rowen S chief lieutenants,
said she feared the prophecies had
not repeated to her people the ex-
act message she received from
: heaven.
u told Margaret she should not
try to interpret tho message, but to
accept il the way it was given to
her in q vision. = said Sister Me-
Causlmd.
'But that is not a great error,
for the day of resurrection is
close at hand. -
Mrs. Rowen and her spokesman,
Dir. b. f. Fullmcr, remained in hid
ing today, and refused to be inter
viewed. lit was understood they
led II flock of 100 adherents to
secret meeting place between Los
! Angeles and Pasadena shortly be-
fore midnight where the "sign y
from the heavens was awaited with
| spiritualiStic devotion.
EAST PATSCHOGUE, y. Y,
Feb. 7.-Doomsday yawned fair and
warmer in these parts. To all in,
tents and purposes it appeared much
the same as those days we used to
have back before the world came
to an end.
Even Robert Reidt, the "apostle
! of DOOM admitted we are expert
encing sort of anti climax.
"But its coming. 1t may even
now be ON its way, " the rotund
little German, his chubby cheeks
obscured by dingy stubble and his
eyes wan from peering into an un-
responsive eastern sky, persisted
i this morning.
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