Douglas Daily Dispatch

THIRD WOMAN TESTIFIES IN "KING'S" CASE
Third Former Member of House of David Testifies She was Assaulted.
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Dec. 23 (AP).—The third former woman member of the House of David to charge Benjamin Purnell, colony leader, with assault appeared in justice court today while the "king" listened to the testimony from a cot on which he was borne to the courtroom.
Mrs. Gladys Bamford Rubel, sister of Mrs. Ruth Bamford Reed, who testified Wednesday in Purnell's preliminary hearing on criminal warrants, charged that the leader mistreated her when she was but 13 years old.
Testimony of the Bamford sisters followed that of Mrs. Bessie Woodworth, who also testified to an attack by Purnell while she was a girl member of the colony.
Mrs. Woodworth accompanied state police when the latter raided the colony's headquarters and made the "king" a prisoner after his disappearance four years ago.
The colony leader, who has been reported suffering from a severe illness, appeared to take little interest in today's proceedings.
Mrs. Rubel declared she was compelled to marry a member of the colony.
Continued on Page Three.
Third Woman Testifies
in "King's" Case

(Continued From Page One)

cult when colony leaders learned a raid was planned by state police.

She was later divorced.

Damage suits seeking recovery of property turned over to the colony by former members and a suit instituted by the state to compel appointment of a receivership are also pending. Today's hearing was attended by Clare Retan, attorney general, who is acting in an advisory capacity with the county prosecutor George H. Bookwalter.