SHADOWED BY MORMONS

Evening Star, Issue 18623, 2 May 1924, Page 2

SHADOWED BY MORMONS

WHY A DANCER VANISHED. Shadowed by Mormons! That was tho disquieting experience described by Miss Lilian Rushworfch, a pretty dancer in tho ‘Blue Bird’ Company at the King’s Theatre, Hammersmith, in explanation of her disappearance ("says the ‘ Sunday Chronicle ’ of March 9).‘ Vanishing after last Thursday’s matinee, Miss Rushworth failed to appear at the theatre on Friday, but a message was received which resulted in her’ being found at tho home of a friend in Shepherd’s Bush, where eho had taken refuge. Safe at home, in Fitzjohn’s avenue, Hampstead, yesterday, Miss Bushworth related her experiences to a ‘ Sunday Chronicle ’ representative. Sho was still much agitated, and several times shuddered as she told her story. “ I am almost terrified to move outside this house, and 1 don’t know what I shall do if I am accosted in tho streets again,” rdio said. FOLLOWED BY TWO,MEN.

” On -Monday I noticed a couple of men following me, and then one of them handed mo some papers. I took them, expecting to read of some new play or some new film, but discovered that it was Mormon literature. “ Glowing accounts of life in Salt Lake City and of tho attractions_ of the Mormon religion for English girls were outlined in the pamphlets, the whole ending up with a series of Scriptural quotations. “ As soon ns I realised what it was I throw tho papers from mo, because I have long had a horror of the Mormons. So many of our girls have been accosted when leaving various theatres that I was frightened. “ On Tuesday tho same two men again followed me to the show. ■‘tine was of medium height, with a tooth-brush moustache, and the other taller and clean shaven, with sunken cheeks. I informed tho manager of tho King’s Theatre, and ho said ho would inform the police if anything more occurred.

“ Next day (Wednosdav) t-ho so wo two men followed close behind mo, end I was thoroughly alarmed. When I reached home, one of the two was near (ho gate. I rmshed indoors in a terrible state, but, realising that my mother was ill, I kept my alarm from her. MAN WITH PIERCING STARE. “ Then on Thursday as I was going in at tho stage door, someone handed me a note. Actresses are accustomed to receive notes, and so I slipped it down my dress, intending to read it later. “ After going through my various parts I opened tho note, and found more Mormon literature with the words. ‘ You will hear more of this later,’ scrawled in red letters across the pamphlet. “ [ wanted to see Miss Nora Johnston, producer and principal of the company, but I thought it might be wise not to alarm her, and so I made a dash for tho train.

“ Seated opposite me was one of the two men who had followed mo about, and, try as I would, I could not avoid Ins penetrating stare. It seemed to pierce me through and through and to say, ‘ We have marked you down, and vou cannot escape.’ “In my agitation I passed my ordinary station. I was frightened xo go up Fitajohn’s avenue in the dark, and so I went on to Royal Oak. where I changed for Shepherd's Bush. My ahadower also changed. M hen I got to Shepherd’s Bush 1 rushed straight to the home of a friend of mine, a Mrs Murray. Immediately I entered her house I fainted. “ By that time I was in such a state of nerves that I dare not do anything. I implored her to let me stay the night. There was no way of letting my peopleknow until next day, and I dared not leavo tho house alone, for Mrs Murray was ill and unable to leave her bed, “ On Friday I sent a note to Miss Johnston at tho lung’s Theatre, and after tho show last night she came to Shepherd’s Bush and took me home. “ I have, of course, informed the police, and I hope tho protection they have offered will scare away those dreadful Mormons.” It is stated that several girls have complained recently of being accosted in the Hammersmith district, hut they have usually been able to secure protection from passers-by, a protection which Miss Rushworth was evidently too scared to seek.