Letitia Greenhaulgh

Letitia Greenhaulgh was the center of focus of a torture and murder investigation of the early Parhamites in Zion, IL, after the death of John Alexander Dowie.  She came to Zion City seeking healing of rheumatism and paralysis in 1902 at age 59 and remained under Dowie's care until demise.[1]  She was a member of the Dowie sect for five years without being healed, and in September 1907, was killed during a failed exorcism as the Parhamites attempted to cast the "demons" out of her crippled body.  Her son Walter, daughter Jennie, Parhamite leader Harold Mitchell and his wife Anna, and Louise Smith were all participants in the crime.[2]

At the time of her death, Charles Fox Parham was under bond in San Antonio awaiting trial for sodomy against J. J. Jourdan.[3]  Parham began the sect in 1906 as Dowie's health was failing and had started a splinter group in Zion that had grown to two hundred members.[4]  Dowie cult leaders F. F. Bosworth[5] and John G. Lake[6] were members of the Parhamite sect, though with the arrest of Parham himself, the sect was in disarray after Parham was arrested for[7] and admitted to sodomy.[8]  Bosworth was one of the head Parhamite preachers, but Mitchell had declared himself to be the new leader of the Parhamites "chosen of God".[9]

Walter Greenhaulgh, who was a scribe for Mitchell's alleged prophecies, became convinced that he had been given a gift of healing by God during one of Mitchell's visions.  Both he and his sister then insisted that their mother should be "treated" for her paralysis.[10]  Mitchell, his wife, and Smith joined them to assist in the treatment of their mother, at which time Mitchell announced that "God had sent him in full power for the cure".[11]  Mr. Greenhaulgh, who did not join the Parhamite side of the schism, was sent out of the house.  Then, the five proceeded to murder Letitia Greenhaulgh.

After a loud prayer by Mitchell, his wife took hold of one of the old woman's legs, gripped it tight, and by twisting, pulling, and pressing down upon the knee, forced it nearly straight.  The screams of agony rang through the house, but the same cruel treatment was given the other limb, and as both showed signs of returning to their former positions, the son seated himself on the knees to hold them straight.  

As he did so he heard a breaking sound made by the fractures of the bones.  "What was that?" he demanded, shaking Mitchell by the arm.  "It's only corruption coming out with the devils", was the answer.  "Don't hurt her," pleaded the son, and Mitchell pushed him away, saying: "Those are not her cries.  They are the cries of the demons," and he put his hand over her mouth, stifling her screams." As they ceased for a moment he took his hand away, and the dying woman muttered:

"I was in hell, but it soon will be heaven."  With that, thinking she meant she was being cured, Mitchell began with her deformed arms.  The screams broke out again, and as they did he made a signal to his wife, who with Mrs. Smith began to dance around the room, waving their hands and striking at the air.  They said afterward they were "driving out the room the bad devils as they left the body."

Each arm cracked as it was bent away from the body where rheumatism had kept it locked for years.  The victim seemed almost unconscious, but a spasm of pain more severe than the rest passed through her frame and the broken arms and legs rose in the air, seeming to push at Mitchell.  He covered her head with a pillow, and as the motions ceased, he removed it, and seizing her by the head gave her neck a severe wrench that dislocated the vertebrae.  The body sank back motionless.  They continued working at the senseless muscles until they saw no response was given.
- Tortured in Rite of Fanatics.  1907, Sep 21.  Chicago Tribune.

After Greenhaulgh was dead for a half hour, the Parhamites attempted to conceal the murder.  A Zion undertaker was convinced to embalm the body without notifying the coroner of the condition of Greenhaulgh's body.  Deputy Coroner Edward Conrad in Waukegan, however, received an anonymous message informing him that there were suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Greenhaulgh.[12]  Chief of Police A. A. Walker began investigating the Parhamites, and it was discovered that there were several suspicious deaths associated with the Parhamite sect.[13]  Apparently, the Parham sect had been practicing exorcisms resulting in death for some time.

Further examination of the body showed that both knees, both elbows, and the left collarbone were broken, and other parts of her body were injured.  The bones were broken longitudinally, giving such intense pain that doctors determined the bone-breaking shock was the cause of death.[14]  

All five Parhamites and the undertaker involved were charged with manslaughter and blamed Charles Fox Parham for training them in their methods.  Parham, out of town at the time, denied the jury's statement against him.[15]

We, the jury, find that the deceased came to her death by violence at the hands of Harold Mitchell and Mrs. Mary Mitchell, as principals, and Walter Greenhalgh, Jennie Greenhalgh, and Mrs. Louise Schmidt as accessories; and we hold each of the foregoing to the grand jury to answer to the charge of manslaughter.  

We also find that the undertaker, B. J. Hopkins, was an accessory after the fact, he having violated the law in regard to the issuance of death certificates, and, inasmuch as the evidence shows that the laws and regulations pertaining to the issuance of death certificates has been wantonly violated in Zion City by Health Officer N. J. La Rose and Undertaker B. J. Hopkins, we respectfully call the attention of the state board of health to this matter and recommend that they take such steps as are necessary to prevent further violations in this matter.  

We, the jury, further find by investigating the death of Mrs. Greenhalgh that certain practices under the leadership of one Charles F. Parham and his followers which are both disgraceful and dangerous to society; and we believe that these practices should be thoroughly investigated by the proper authorities.[16]
- Verdict by Jury