FATHER DIVINE ARRESTED

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 7

FATHER DIVINE ARRESTED

Found Hiding In A Basement NEW TROUBLES FACED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received April 23, 725 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 22. Fathex - Divine, the leader of a negro cult for whom the police have been seeking, was arrested while hiding in a basement of a residence at Milford, Connecticut. He was sent to gaol as a fugitive from justice with a charge pending until the arrival of New York detectives. He was unarmed and surrendered quietly, but declined to make a statement to the District Attorney, whom he urged should waive extradition to permit his immediate return to face trial. The police said that when Father Divine was found behind a furnace he raised his right hand and exclaimed: “Peace; it’s wonderful.” He faces new trouble in an investigation ' concerning coal stolen from the Pennsylvania fields and allegedly used by Father Divine’s “Harlem Heavens.” A follower, “Blessed Thomas”- who was also arrested admitted loading the coal. He, however, denied knowing it to be stolen. It is disclosed that Father Divine’s wife is dying in hospital with kidney disease. “Faithful Mary,” his “Angel Number One” is paying the hospital bills. Meantime Father Divine followers ousted “Faithful Mary” from one of the tenements which she managed and refused to allow her to enter Father Divine’s “Kingdom of Heaven.” Father Divine returned to New York where he was placed in gaol. He was unable to secure a bond due to the Courts being closed. Early in the morning more than 500 negroes were around the police headquarters and more were arriving constantly from Harlem by trains and motors. Although the crowds were peaceful the police captain ordered reinforcements and a special guard for Father Divine’s cell. Father Divine has for several years been conducting an extraordinary negro religious organization in New York, a very large nur.iber of Harlem negroes being members of the cult. Those of his followers who were prepared to place at his disposal the whole of their worldly possessions were admitted as "angels" -of the cult, while those who handed over their entire earnings were recognized as “disciples.” For all of his adherents he provided board and lodging in tenement buildings which he purchased or rented and the financial ramifications of the organization were believed to be tremendous. Free dinners on Sundays have been provided for all who made application for them and in his religious service Father Divine claimed to be God. His headquarters were known as “Harlem Heaven.” The Federal taxation authorities of late interested themselves in the activities of Father Divine who declared that he owned neither property nor money. AU property of the organization was found to be registered in the names of “angels” charged with conducting the tenements. Father Divine’s income was variously estimated at up to 2,000,000 dollars a month, but the Federal officers could trace no bank account in the name of Father Divine or the organization. A message from New York on Thursday stated that “Faithful Mary,” his "Angel Number One,” in whose name the principal properties were held, had renounced her allegiance thus: “He is not God; just a damned man!” She said, that he insisted that she should give him a deed over numerous tenements in Harlem and other large farms where members of the cult were housed. She refused.