did" it for revenge because his
young wife was unfaithful. Es
caped. Police searching. Police
believe Rose has committed sui
cide and will drag river.
David Sweeney, "2728 Wabash
av., arrested, charged with bur
glary by Mrs. K. De Courcey, 118
E. 43d st
Angelina Aiidrici, 14, 1903 S.
Clark st, who has been married
two years, had husband arrested
for desertion. Ordered to pay her
$5 a week.
Mrs. Anna McCabe, 87, Dela
van, Wis., visiting her son at 2311
Belden ct, seized with nervous
attack. Died. Paralysis.
-o-o-
INVEJSTIGATING "BLACK ROSE" CULT LEADER
The federal government has
taken up the case of "Dr." Lauron
W. de Laurence, head of the
V,Black Rose and White Willow
cults.
The-police raided de Laurence's
"temple" at 3340 Michigan ave
nue yesterday after the story told
by Mrs. Augusta Muerie, who
escaped from the""temple."
De Laurence, his wife and a
gang of negroes, Indians and
white women were arrested.
The chief diety of the temple
was found to be a regular cigar
store Indian, before which de
Laurence Worshipped and'forced
his followers to worship.
The story told by Mrs. Muerie
was to the effect that de Laurence
forced his white women followers
to undress and "weigh in" when
entering the cult before himself
I and a bodyguard of negroes.
Mrs. Muerie also said that
flagellation was practiced in the
temple.
i After the police raid it was dis
covered that the government
had been on de Laurence's trail
for some time.
"Evidence now in the hands of
the government tends to show
that de Laurence sent improper
literature and forbidden medicine
through the mails.
It has also been ascertained
that almost all of de Laurence's
male followers were either ne
groes or Indians, while his female
followers were white women.
There were two circles in the
cult the Black Rose and the
White Willow. Only the ad
vanced members of the cult were
admitted to the Black Rose, the
second "brother" of which was a
negro preacher.
De Laurence is a little man,
weighing about 125 pounds. He
is n6t attractive in appearance.
Apparently, however, he ruled
his Michigan avenue "temple"
v?ith an iron hand. It is ven said
that the Black Rose members
were forced to swear that they
would cpmmit murder if he or
dered them to.
De Laurence swore today that
no immoralities were practiced in
the fashionable "temple" and de
nied that any of the activities of
the cult were illegal.
The police "case against de
Laurence probably will be al
lowed to rest until the federal
grand jury has had a chance to
indict him.