The Sunday Oregonian., December 27, 1908, Page 9, Image 9

TIIE SUNDAY OREGOSIAX. PORTLAND, DECEMBER 21, 1908. - -
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SECOrJD MESSIAH
LED QUIET LIFE
Cyrus Teed Differed Radically
From Other Claimants
to Such Honor.
WAS THOROUGHLY SINCERE
WINS NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEST FOR $25 DOLL.
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Collected Much Money, but Spent It
in Developing the Korchan
Fuith and Colony t'url-
ous "Scientific" Proofs.
Cyrus Teed, the "second Messiah" of
the Koreshan I'nity, who 3id laat week
at the "city" of Estero, which ho found
ed near Tampa. Fla., was a genius in
his particular line. The man. according
to his own story, had intended to become
a minister of the gospel, but while study
ing Biblical literature b?came convinced
that the Holy Writ was to be taken lit
erally In all things, and thereafter de
voted the remainder of his life to proving
the wisdom of his idea.
Teed was sincere in his monomania,
and. unlike many another "Messiah,"
was not In the business for revenue.
While he collected large sums of money,
he spent practically all of it In an en
deavor to prove his peculiar theories,
and in private .,fe he was simple and
modest In his tast . To this fact, per
haps, more than to anything else, he
owed his escape from newspaper notori
ety, the bane and ruin of so many of his
flliw-Messiahs.
Teed first came into what may be
termed prominence in Chicago in 1M2,
when he conducted a series of experi
ments on Iake Michigan to prove tho
surface of the earth to hi concave, in
stead of convex. This belief, which was
ine of the basic ones of his philosophy,
he found necessary to bolster up Biblical
statements which he interpreted to de
clare that heaven was the center of the
universe. Teed had always heard that
heaven was above him, and he saw no
other way of getting it in the center of
things unless he could prove the con
vexHy of the earth a myth.
"Scientific" Proof Made.
Science tuld Teed that -the surface of
large bodies of water was rounded. He
therefore erected two posts near the
shore line of Like Michigan, and built
between them an accurately level and
horizontal crossbar. On either end of
this was affixed a brass plate at right
angles to the top level. Against this
plate Teed placed a long rod w ith squared
ends, and at the end of the first rod a
second similar one was held.
This was continued repeatedly until tho
last rod. because of the weight of each
one interfering with exact adjustment
touched the water. Thus "Koresh" had
what he fancied a horizontal line touch
ing the surface of Liike Michigan at
points a half mile apart, and to him this
demonstrated the "concavity" of the
curve of the lake surface.
The telescope afforded Teed another
favorite "proof of the earth's concav
ity. He quoted science as saying that
the disappearance of a ship from sight
was caused by the convexity of the sea's
surfiw-e; and then asked if that were
so why it was that the telescope en
abled one to see a ship after the naked
eye could no longer distinguish it.
I-iter in his career Teed founded a col
lege where his "scientific principles"
were taught. In this college the student
also learned that heaven was the center
of the hollow sphere called the earth,
that. this central abode of bliss was pro
tected from human eyes by alternate
folds of black Taper and quicksilver, and
that the stars were niinu-te holes in the
outer covering of black with the quick
silver showing through. Here. also, was
taught a remarkable anatomy, giving a
knowledge of a bone in the tongue wnicn
began to decay after a person had car
ried it around for "three score years and
ten." This decay brought on death.
Koresh declared he was immortal be
cause he had this remarkable bone re
moved. Performed Miracles, Too.
Teed also performed miracles, as was
proper for a Messiah. One of his favor
ite ones was turning vegetable matter
into mineral matter. This he did in the
twinkling of an eye. He took a match,
got the general admission from his audi
ence that It was wood, a vegetable sub
stance, and then lighted it. After it had
partly burned he blew It out. and point
ing to the biack part, would say:
"And now it i-s carbon, and carbon Is
a- mineral, so I have clranged wood Into
stone."
Teed also claimed that he could turn
the baser metals into gold, but he did
not demonstrate this in public.
In lSSti Teed left Chicago and went to
Boston, which was at that time suffering
from an influx of Indian "Sivaral?:" Here
he hired the "back parlor" of a cheap
boarding-house, and soon converted the
woman who tran the place. Several
voung lawyers and newspapermen took
their meals at this boarding-house, and
Teed used to discuss his "philosophy"
with them at the table. They told their
friends of the "Second Messiah" they
had for a table mate, and tiie boarding
house waxed suddenly popular. Much of
the money the landlady thus took In
later went to found Teed's ill-starred cn'
ony in Florida, and the boarding-housa
mistress herself became a high prleates
in his church.
Teed a Handsome Man.
In appearance Teed was a finely built
man of commanding aspect. He was
considerably over average height, with a
high forehead and strong features. He
kept his face smooth shaven, and wore
a long black coat and a broad sombrero
rtf the same color, and did not at all
have the appearance of a religious crank.
In conversation he was mild and per
suasive, and always avoided argument.
He stated his beliefs and his proof of
them, and allowed Ids hearers to accept
them or not. as they wished
Shortly after he founded his "Xw
Jerusale"m" colony In Florida, Teed be
came involved in several lawsuits
brought against him by converts who
bxanw dissatisfied with their life in the
South, and who desired their donations
returned. Teed did not have the money
at hand, ami judgments against him so
crippl-d his resources tnat his colony
never fully recovered, and the decline of
the movement b-gan shortly afterward.
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HENRY P00RG0ES TO WALL
Prominent Xow York Broker. As
signs to Creditors.
NEW YORK. Dec. 26. Henry V.
Poor, trading as Henry W. Poor, at 33
Wall street, made an assignment to
day for the benefit of his creditors. Mr.
Poor is a member of the banking house
of H. W. Poor Co.. of this city and
Boston. The liabilities are J3.000.OuO.
A notice posted on the door of the
banking offices of II. W. Poor & Co..
sys that 'Henry W. Poor, transacting
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l.OTTIU ADAMS, AGED THREE.
Little 3-vear-old Lottie Adams is tho proud possessor of a beautiful J23
doll awarded to her as the winner of a contest held in North Portland.
The contest was determined by vote of the neighborhood and was open to
children up to the age of 13. It has been on for about one month and in
terest has been at a high pitch during the week preceding Christmas.
Uttle Miss Adams has held the lead tafely during that time, although sev
eral other contestants have been but a few votes behind. The tota.1 vote
finally awarded the winner was 446. The Jppy little girl is the daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. I. A. Adams, who reside at . 755 Savler street.
business at Henry W. Poor &. Co.. in New
York City, has made an assignment
for the benefit of creditors to Mark T.
Cox. of Robert Winthrop & Co."
Henry W. Poor, for many years has
been a prominent figure in financial cir
cles in this city and Boston. He lives
in the magnificent residence at Lexing
ton avenue and Gramercy Park
North, which was erected by the late
Cyrus V. Field. One of the finest pri
vate collections of books in the world
which Mr. Poor had gathered in his
home, was placed on sale a few months
ago and a large number of the choicest
were disposed of. Mr. Poor has had
extensive Interests outside of his bank
ing and brokerage business. He la pres
ident of the company which publishes
Poor's Railway Manual. He is a na
tive of Bangor, Me., 64 years old and
was a member of the class of '65 at
Harvard. He is a member of many
clubs.
J. L. Cadwalder. representing the as
signee, and L. Delafield. representing cer
tain" large creditors, authorize the state
ment that there will be no preferences
beyond such the statute gives to em
ployes, adding:
"The superficial examination Justifies
the belief that if the creditors, who are
feiw In number, will co-operate , ia en
abling the assignee to effect a favorable
liquidation of the assets, a large sum will
be raised for their benefit. Written as
surance of Important financial assistance
to such creditors as will co-operate to
that end has been given."
Woman Murderer, Confessed,
Calls Prison Her Heaven
Life in Cell Has Worked Wonders for Mrs. Kate Edwards, Husband-Slayer.
READING. Pa.. Dt-c. 26. (Special.) A
visitor in the Berks County Jail here
sees in one of the clean, well-lighted
cells "a woman prisoner, contentedly busy
with needlework.
"And what is she here for?" he asks.
'Murder," is the response. "She was
convicted of killing her husband, and
sentenced to bo hanged."
"To be hanged! When?"
"Probably never. Death warrants have
been read to her hnlf a dozen times, but
two Governors have now declined to fix
the day for her execution, and it is now
probable that she will never go on the
gallows. In fact, her guilt is uncertain,
though she once confessed it and saved a
man from hanging."
Mrs. Kate Edwards has been in Read
ing jail since July 5, 1901, and has for
seven years ben under sentence of
death. Once a gallows was erected where
she could see if from her window. Then
came a reprieve.
With her soul already dedicated to Its
Giver, she once was called upon to part
from her little daughter under circum
stances of the most dramatic character,
and to see the child led away In accord
ance with a plan by which it could never
be traced.
But far and away the most remark
able thing about the imprisonment of
Kate Kd wards is the metamorplioslB that
jail life has wrought. She came to the
prison vicious to the last degree, a
drunkard, unkempt, desperate and In
tractable. She was like a wild beast
Good women and patient ministers
worked years to civilize and reform her,
and even brought her to something ap
proaching culture. They have awakened
her conscience, taught her something of
religion, and have changed the whole
flow of her life. Imprisonment has been
a Godsend to her.
Orphaned when 7 years old. she was
married at 17 to John Edwards, a
drunken quarryman. She was absolutely
without education, and he as free from
principle. He beat her and choked her
and made her his beast of burd"n. Five
children were borne to them, and in their
miserable hut they lived like cattle.
White neighbors would have nothing
to do with them, and Edwards formed an
Intimacy with Samuel Greason. a negro
fellow laborer. He took the negro to his
home and they Joined In drunken orgies,
in which the woman and his children
were forced to participate.
On the morning of July 4. 1101, John
Edwards was found dead with his skull
crushed. Kate Edwards, her daughter
Mary. g'A Samuel Greason, Charlie
Holliiis. "Bill" Jones and "Shorty"
Thompson (all the men negroes) were at
one time or another committed to prison
on suspicion of guilt.
Kate Edwards was tried at the Septem
ber session of the Berks County Oourt of
Oyer and Terminer and was found guilty
of murder In the first degree. The death
sentence was imposed In December of
the same year Greason was tried and
likewise convicted of first degree murder.
He was sentenced to be hanged. All the
others were iischaryed. It is a ratt be
yond controversy that if the evidence on
which the negro was convicted was true
the woman's guilt was impossible.
The battle that ensued to save the wo
man from the gallows is unique in legal
history. For four years, upon one allega
tion or another the cas was kept be
fore the Board of Pardons of the state of
Pennsylvania. Over and over again the
Foard refused commutation of sentence.
Tho Superior Court and the Supreme
Court turned It back, and finally, in Feb
ruary, 11)05, it seemed that both the white
woman and the negro must die. Gov
ernor Pennypacker signed a document
t nxirg reuruaij w 1 ,J1
I One gallows was erected on which they
were to oe nausea iosei,ic,.
But as the day for the execution drew
near the men and women who through
venrs of work had been able to rescue
Mr. Edwards from her barbarism to a
civilized state interested themselves still
more in her behalf. Women's clubs in
a dozen states were enlisted in the work
and in Ohio alone 275.0o0 signatures were
obtained to a petition that was two miles
long, begging Governor Pennypacker to
interfere in the woman's behalf. A com
mittee of soine of the most priminent
cuowonun of Ohio vaited on the Gov
ernor at Harrisburg on February 14. two
days hefi.rz that fixed for the txecution,
and present-id the petition.
But on the same Kate Edwards made
a confession that changed completely
the complexion of the case. In an affi
davit she declared that she alone was
responsible for the death of her hus
band, and that the negro, Greason, was
Innocent. i
Already Greason's case had three
times been before the State Supreme
Court. Over and over again his cause
had been before the Board of Pardons.
But, armed with this new document,
and with new evidence to support it,
Greason's attorneys went again before
the Board of Pardons Just 24 hours be
fore the time for execution and a re
spite of one month was secured to per
mit another appeal to the Supreme
Court. As the woman's evidence would
be necessary In the new trial, she was
also respited for a month. The big
double gallows was taken down and
the shadow of death for awhile re
moved. Again Greason's case went before the
Supreme Court and a new trial was or
dered. The jury found a verdict of
not guilty and the man who had ten
death warrants read to him walked out
of prison a free man.
But at the same time Samuel W. Pen
nypacker was still Governor of Penn
sylvania. When the women of Ohio,
275.000 strong, implored him to save
Kate Edwards from the gallows, he
wrote a letter to tho Board of Pardons
calling for a 'final determination" of
the case. The Board of Pardons declined
to interfere. The Governor was angry,
and he pigeon-holed the whole business
and never fixed a new date for the exe
cution. And there the case rests.
The manner in which the prison-born
daughter of Mrs. Edwards was sent
away 48 hours before the time when the
woman was to have been executed in
February, 1906, was highly dramatic.
An organization devoted to education
In a far-away state had volunteered
to see that the child was cared for,
but made tho condition that there
should be a complete severance from
the mother, and that no clew should be
left whereby the girl, as she grew up,
could ever be identified as the daughter
of a gallows' woman
To Mrs. Emma Kantner. of Reading,
the transfer of the child was entrusted.
She was told simply to take the little
one to Broad street station, Philadel
phia, and wait there until a woman
MAIL ORDERS WILL RECEIVE OUR PROMPT "AND CAREFUL ATTENTION
Complete Is Per Showiog of
Office FMmitore
The largest and most dependable line of office furniture shown in Port
land, the most reasonably priced selected for the purpose of meeting the
demands of any office roll-top desks, flat-top desks, typewriter desks,
standing desks, office tables, directors' tables, rotary chairs, office chairs,
4. . maiinffiinv -mfl o-nlrlon nnk nolished and dull finishes.. All
CIV.., Jll Llic iiiaiivi,ui,i r -
improvements that experience has suggested are displayed in our line of desks in their respective grades thev
are unexcelled in quality of material, workmanshp and finish with the most satisfactory, and many special
features in arrangement and equipment of interiors. The new sanitary designs are extensively shown in
the roll and flat-top styles. Sanitary roll-top desks, from $38.50 up. Sanitary that-top desks from $-6.00
up. Roll-top desks in the standard' design, from $23.50 up. Flat-top desks in the standard design, trom
$21.00 up. Mail orders and out-of-town inquiries given prompt and careful attention.
aw- Sprai
g Line of
Carpets
feelow Axminster
Our new and exclusive line
of Bigelow Axminster Car
pets for the Spring is now
ready for inspection. The designs and color
ings surpass all previous efforts of this famous
mill, and our stock is a careful and varied selec
tion of the most artistic of their productions.
The harmonious blending of tans, browns, blues
and rose, in Oriental and conventional designs,
make these carpets most desirable for general
furnishing. We suggest early selection by those
who contemplate buying new floor-coverings in
the Axminster weave. The Carpet Department.
Sixth Floor.
Art Wall Papers
For the artistic and distinctive treat
ment of interiors we show an exclusive
line, of foreign wallpapers and fabrics
art productions from the world's most
famous manufacturers. Silk damask
and leather effects; Japanese hand-decorated
leathers for vestibules, library
and living-room friezes and wainscot
ings; sleeping-room papers, in dainty
floral effects, with cretonnes to match;
dining-room verdure papers in Old
English tapestry effects. We employ
only skilled workmen in all branches of
pert decorator is at y o u r command for suggesting the
most artistic and practical decorative scnemes
as-!
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sThe Malleable" Is the Raoge fa-
estroctible : Riveted to Air
tightness Will Last a Lifetime
Embodying all hat fully meets the demand for the most modern the most
durable the most economical range; the product of skilled range-builders
made of malleable iron and steel in combination riveted together like a boiler
unbreakable can't burn out no repair expense saves time and labor, ilie
Alalleable" is the range where the verv best results in cooking and baking are
a eertaintv where every feature of construction combines for comfort and con
venience in the kitchen.' Those who have in mind the buying of such a range
should investigate the sterling qualities of "The Malleable."
ddiog Specials
Monday and Tuesday, in the Bedding Sec
tion Sixth Floor.
Feather Pillows in stripe-ticking; regular
$1.50 values, at, the pair 90
Cotton Blankets gray, tan, brown and
white; regular $1.40 values, pair 90
Silkoline and Satine-covered Comforters;
full size; reg. $3.00 values, pair $1-85
Silkoline-covered Comforters, full size;
regular $1.50 values, the pair.. $1.15
iale of Dressers
Three patterns from our line of medium-price
Dressers, in the jrolden oak these bedroom pieces
showing unusually good selection of oak stock.
The mirrors are large and of French bevel plate ;
trimmings of cast brass, and the design and con
struction throughout are the best that is displayed
in this grade. Sale Monday and Tuesday.
Golden oak Dresser, with large shaped obloug
mirror; special ; $14. 0
Golden oak Dresser, with oval-sliaped mirror;
special 14.7o
Princess Dresser, in the golden oak; has fancy
shaped mirror; special 14. 80
FURNITURE REP AIRING,
UPHOLSTERING AND RE
FINISHING. OLD PIECES
MADE LIKE NEW, AND AT
MOST REASONABLE COST.
TOLL
(& GIBBS
Complete
House'fumislieirc
WOOD AND COAL
HEATERS
GAS RANGES
IN THE BASEMENT
should hand her a slip of paper showing-
authority to receive the child.
I'or some time Mrs. Kantner and her
charge walked about In the big- station
until she was suddenly confronted by a
richly dressed woman, closely veiled.
This woman held out to her a slip of
paper on which were the words: "The
bearer of this slip is the party into
whose hands the child Is to be deliv
ered." The exchange was instantly effected,
the veiled stranger, without a word,
turned, and, leading the child, hurried
away to catch a train.
PHONOGRAPH IS WITNESS
Reproduces in Court the Cries of a
Woman for Help.
PITTSBURG. Dec. 26. As a detector of
crime the phonograph came into promi
nence In Pittsburg, when C. A. Rumsta
through the testimony of a record, was
held for court on a charge of assault and
battery by Magistrate G. H. England.
The information was made by John E.
Hinds, of 21 Taggart street. North Side,
on behalf of his wife.
When the alleged attack was committed
on Mrs. Hinds the screams of the woman
were faithfully recorded on a blank
record which had been placed in the ma
chine to reproduce a piano solo which
Mrs. Ella Rittenhouse, a friend of Mrs.
Hinds, was playing. The music sudden
ly ceased and the sensitive disk recorded
cries for help instead.
It is alleged that Rumstay went to the
house in Taggart street to get a phono
graph he had sold to Mrs. Rinehart, for
merly a tenant of the house. Mrs. Rine
hart had sold the phonograph to the
Hinds family. Mrs. Hinds explained the
facts to Rumstay. and it is asserted that
he wanted to take the instrument away.
Mrs. Hinds refused to give up the prop
erty, and. It is alleged. Rumstay attacked
her and knocked her down. Mrs. Ritten
house left her seat at the piano to assist
Mrs. Hinds and forgot to stop the instrument.
BIG RUSH, BUT PREPARED
rOSTOFFICE MOVKS HOLIDAY
MAIL MOKE EASILY.
Greatest Season of Business In His
tory of Portland Office Open
for Two Hours Today.
"We were badly snowed under," said
Postmaster Minto yesterday afternoon,
"but the clerks have reached a point
where it will not he long before all of
the registered mall will be delivered.
Christmas of 1908 was the greatest in the
history of the office. Carriers who de
liver through the business districts and
those in residence districts say without
question that they have handled fully 30
per cent more mail this Christmas than
ever before.
"Because the trains were on time and
becaur we were fortunate in having
with us this year, many clerks employed
last vear, we have been able to handle
all of the first-class mail without trouble.
The office in handling this kind of mat
ter, has kept up to the minute and it will
be only a few days before everything will
be cleaned up."
In order to hurry the work of deliver
ing the stacks of registered matter. Post
master Minto has decided to keep the
general delivery window at the general
office open an hour longer than usual.
The same order will prevail at all of the
branch offices. The windows will be
open from 10 o'clock in the morning until
noon, and this will give those who are
expecting presents a chance to receive
them should they call.
Executive Committee to Meet.
The executive committee of the Port
land Commercial Club, composed of T.
B. Wilcox. A. L. Mills. William M. Ladd,
J. C. Ainsworth. J. Frank Watson. I. N.
Fleischner, T. D. Honeyman, Walter F.
Bun-ell and Robert Livingstone, will
met tomorrow at the luncn nour ai m
club. The committee has not con
vened for some time, and several mat
ters will come up for discussion and
action. No formal programme in the
line of business to be transacted by
the committee has been prepared, but
It is expected the committee will have
quite a number of matters brought
before it for consideration and recom
mendation. Employes of the Commer
cial Club were made glad on Christmas
dav, when they were the recipients of
the annual purse contributed by the
resident members of the organization.
About SlaOO was contributed, each one
giving at least $1 to the fund.
CROWDED CELL IS FATAL
Prisoner at City Jail Dies From
Being Smothered.
Robert Burns. 27 years old. a machinist,
died In a cell in the City Jail yesterday
morning as a result of akhoholism and
of the overcrowded conditions at the jail.
Burns was one of 12 men who slept in a
cell 9x9 feet Friday night.
It is the regular detention cell for
...1,.. o.. ilrunk nnrl ik usually well
llirii irynw ... ......... -
filled. The entire jail Is designed to hold
only 3". men. but eighty-three were con
fined there Friday night.
The jail was erected when Portland had
a population of 12,000. It has not been en
larged a single foot since that time,
though the city has grown Immeasurably.
In population. And it is the only branch
of the. municipal government who
quarters have not been enlarged from
time to time as the city grew.
It. Is believed that one of the other ;
men in the crowded cell must have fallen
on top of Burns and slept in that posi
tion, smothering the man beneath.
NOW IS THE TIME
To buy your evening dress coat or cape,
at. Jj- Palais Royal. Come early; every
one, is included in our great clearance
sale. 373 Washington street. "
. C. T. I.'. Reception.
The W. C. T. I.", will give a recep
tion at 2:30 I'. M. on New Year's dny
at the headquarters. UOti Ooodnough
building. corner Fifth and Yamhill
streets. The programme is in charge
of the Y.'s.
Tomorrow Is Washday, Avoid Its Troubles by
Sending to the
UNION LAUNDRY COMPANY
Where Linen Lasts
FAMILY WASHING
Rough dry 5c a pound, rough dry by the piece lc up
Lace Curtains 30c Per Pair
Call Main 398 or A 1123
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