What people are willing to believe is just incredible. That is what makes cults so interesting, scary, and even entertaining. This newspaper entry is about the cult leader of Absolute Life. The article does not go into the particulars of the cult, but it is humorous how the reporter portrays the obviously jealous men in the court.
See Gets Penitentiary Sentence
Women in Court Sigh in Pity When Judge says, “One to Five Years”
Men Growl Approval
Evelyn [was used as both a man’s and woman’s name during this time] Arthur See, founder of the cult “Absolute Life,” and convicted of contributing to the delinquency of Mildred Bridges, a minor, was today sentenced by Judge Honore to from one to five years in the penitentiary.
See’s attorney was given thirty days in which to make an appeal.
See has been out on bond, which was canceled when he was sentences, and he will probably remain in jail until the appeal is carried to the higher courts.
The scene in Judge Honore’s courtroom was dramatic when See arose to have sentence passed upon him.
The room was crowded with his disciples, mainly women, who believed in his teachings and in his innocence in spite of the revolting practices of the cult testified to, and the immoral atmosphere surrounding his girlish converts.
There were men in the court also. Big, strong men; hardened court attaches, injured to the seamy and sordid side of life, who were sickened by the story of See’s associations with the innocent followers of his teachings.
When see was sentenced, a sigh of pity ran through his disciples. A growl of approval arose from the men, quickly silenced by the court bailiffs.
See trembled, his face blanched, and he got unsteadily to his feet.
“I protest—“ he stammered.
“Let your lawyers do that in court,” interrupted a bailiff.
And Evelyn Arthur See, betrayer of Mildred Bridges, wrecker of her mother’s life, and who had brought sorrow and disgrace to her aged father, was face to face with the iron barred gates of Joliet.
Source: (1911, November 13). A wonderful cat tale. The Day Book, p. 12.
