Katherine A. Tingley.[1] Katherine Augusta Tingley (1847–1929) was born Katherine Westcott to an old Puritan family in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on July 6, 1847. Around 1861, when she was fourteen, Tingley was sent to study at the Convent of Villa Maria in Montreal, Canada.[2] Of this time she said: “I gained only good, and look back upon those days as the happiest of my life. I became a Catholic, and at the age of 16 went into the... Read more
Ernest Temple Hargrove.[1] Ernest Temple Hargrove was born on December 17, 1870, at Laurel Lodge, Twickenham, in West London, to James Sydney Hargrove and Jessie (née Aird) Hargrove. He would have been the couple’s fifth child, however, two weeks before Ernest was born, on December 3, 1870, his 18-month-old-sister, also named Jessie, died in the family home. Ernest would be the fourth oldest of eight Hargrove children; ranking from oldest to youngest, they were: Constance, Norah, Sidney, Ernest, Percy,... Read more
PROGRESSIVE WOMAN SUFFRAGE UNION “If you want to have your own way,” said Alma, “marry a widower older than you.” Alma Webster Powell, an opera singer, noted in musical circles, had just finished a performance for the Progressive Woman Suffrage Union in the Van Dyck studios. The smiling, white-haired pianist, who provided her piano accompaniment, seemed to confirm Alma’s claim. Alma met her husband, Adoniram Powell, at a church recital of which he was the organist.[1] Alma Webster... Read more
The Christian Socialist Fellowship “Socialism” was the topic for discussion by the newly formed Parkside Christian Socialist Fellowship, at a dinner given by the society at the Parkside Presbyterian Church on March 12, 1908. The pastor, John D. Long, born of missionary parents in Rajahmunda, India, had opened the church the teaching of Christian Socialism in January. The Parkside Presbyterian Church.[1] The national platform of the Socialist Party began making a push to enter the churches, labor... Read more
“THE UNIVERSE IS BASED ON THE SUBJECTION OF WOMAN.” The woman suffragists held their third and largest open-air meeting under less-than-desirable circumstances on January 14, 1908. An icy wind whistled relentlessly over Madison Square, yet the suffragists in charge were out at least a dozen strong, the largest turnout yet. “Sure, th’ women must want th’ vote bad, t’ spout f’r it on sthrate corners such a day.” That was the opinion of one-half the audience at the open... Read more
“On my penetrating into the Ascension at chosen noon, and standing for the first time in presence of that noble work of John La Farge, the representation on the west wall in the grand manner of the theological event from which the church takes its title. Wonderful enough in New York to find one’s self in a charming, and considerably dim old church, hushed to admiration before a great religious picture.” Henry James. “New York Revisited.” THE CALL... Read more
WRECK OF THE HEREFORD In the spring of 1907 Arthur “Punk” Buckley paid Irvine a surprise visit in New York, and told him what had happened during the intervening weeks since they last saw one another in Florida. After the trial the peons stood by each other until all were down at the same dead level of poverty. Then they separated and Arthur went to sea on March 16, 1907 on the Norwegian square-rigged bark Hereford, bound for Buenos... Read more
THE LOST CANON OF PROPORTIONS OF THE EGYPTIANS September 7, 1875. Judge and Castle once again called on Blavatsky.[1] “Thanks for the scarabaeus,” she said to Judge, greeting him with much effusion.[2] Judge pretended ignorance. “It is useless to pretend,” said Blavatsky, informing him how he had sent it, and where the clerk had posted it. Blavatsky then turned to Castle, her eyes flashing fire. “Perhaps you think, Mr. Castle, that my spirit was not with you and that... Read more
GUNS AND ROSES.[1] First week of September 1875 Judge and Castle knocked on the door the of apartment at the summit of a flight of stairs at 46 Irving Place. The strong odor of tobacco was bleeding into the hallway from beneath the cracks of the front door.[2] “Come in.” They entered an ordinary, if somewhat disorderly, looking room, that was littered with books, papers, and oriental tapestries.[3] As they made their way into the main parlor, Judge and... Read more
THE ENCOUNTER WITH THE STRANGER August 22, 1875. Olcott used to go to The Sun and tell the reporters how one of the Eddy brothers had floated out of a window for a distance of three miles, landing safely on a mountain. “Levitation is possible,” Olcott said earnestly, “for anyone having confidence in the fidelity of the spirit guardians.” Edward Page Mitchell and Frank Church of were skeptical. “Let’s go,” said Church. “We will go with you to the top... Read more
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