NEGRO FANATICS IN NEW YORK

Southland Times, Issue 23183, 26 April 1937, Page 5

NEGRO FANATICS IN NEW YORK

Harlem Excited By Father Divine RIOTS FEARED AFTER RELEASE ON BAIL VICTORY DINNER IN THE “KINGDOM OF HEAVEN” (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received April 25, 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 24. Scenes rarely viewed in New York occurred at the arraignment of Father Divine, the leader of a negro cult, who was released on bail of 500 dollars. Several hundred police were required to keep order in the streets adjoining the Court. Many thousands of negroes assembled, and the authorities feared a riot. Father Divine pleaded not guilty, stating that he had no knowledge of the stabbing of the man sent to arrest him. “St Mary” Bloom provided the bail. Great cries of “Peace, God!” arose when Father Divine appeared in the street. Harlem itself was swept with paroxysms of joy and religious hysteria. Father Divine made a triumphal procession in a Rolls Royce through the city. Several journalists attempting to enter the “Kingdom of Heaven” were mobbed, but were rescued with difficulty by the police. • Anyone seen with notepaper making notes was in danger of his life. Followers of Father Divine screamed: “Don’t write lies!” A victory dinner of 10 courses was served in the “Kingdom of Heaven.” Some of the female followers spent the night before at the Criminal Court and the doors of “Heaven,” bowing and crying: “Peace! Father Divine is God!” Later in the day Father Divine himself was compelled to warn crowds of negroes in Harlem streets against excesses. The police were compelled to confess that they were powerless. Fire razed Father Divine’s subHeaven” in the Ulster county, a twostorey frame construction of 22 rooms. Many singed “angels” jumped, from windows and descended rain pipes in their night clothes; none was injured. Ku Klux Klan Rumours that the fire ..as started by Father Divine’s enemies were immediately circulated because of the activity of the Ku Eflux Klan in the vicinity several years ago and the fact that the establishment of the negro retreat was unpopular with many of the neighbours. The sheriff and the superintendent of the fire brigade discounted the story and expressed the belief that the outbreak was accidental and had originated near a chimney on the second floor. • Father Divine was ready to retire after the night’s celebration when he was notified by radio. He sped to the scene in a Rolls Royce. The loss is estimated at 25,000 dollars. “Faithful Mary,” Father Divine s “Angel Number One,” was bruised in a motor collision on her way to New York. When he was informed of the accident Father Divine said: “That is just a sample of what will happen to anybody trying to double-cross me.. They are only double-crossing their own lives. Anybody sympathizing with her will be under the same curse.” The “angels” held a meeting and formally revoked’ “Faithful Mary’s” status. Undaunted by this, she spoke over the radio, saying: “Father Divine is not God; he had nothing to do with the motor accident. God in Heaven above prevented me from being killed.” The celebration in “Heaven” throughout the night was aided by an orchestra of 20 instruments.