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[Identification of item], Harry Plate collection: The Rikers and Holy City, 1900-1970, [Box No.] History San Jose Research Library.
Gift of Trudy Plate (Mrs. Harry Plate), Scottsdale, Arizona, 2007
“Father” William “Ed” Riker (1873 Oakdale, Ca – 1969, Agnews State Hospital, Santa Clara Co., CA) and his wife, “Mother” Lucille Schutrum Jensen Riker (1874 Nebraska – 1950 Holy City, CA), lead a utopian communal cult, The Perfect Christian Divine Way (PCDW). Incorporated in Los Angeles in 1918 by Ed Riker, Irvin Fisher and Anna Schramm, the PCDW established Holy City in 1919 in the hills above Los Gatos.
Riker later claimed it was a revelation in the hills above San Jose in 1906 that led him to change from palm reader to “The Comforter.” A former San Francisco waiter, salesman and con-man, Riker, and later Ohio-born mechanic Irvin Fisher (1881-1980), drew many of their followers from among financially struggling and marginally educated middle-aged throughout the Midwest. (Riker first met Fisher in Indianapolis in 1913). Counter to rumor, they were not all single, nor was “free love” a common practice. Riker, charismatic and all-knowing, offered simple answers to life’s many complex questions.
Holy City flourished during the 1920s and 30s as a popular road stop along the difficult mountain road from San Jose to Santa Cruz, where the curious could stop for a bite to eat or help with an overheated radiator, or take a peek at a strange array of attractions or debate “perfect government.” Although the PCDW itself probably never numbered more than about 30 confirmed disciples, the population of Holy City and the surrounding neighborhood peaked at around 300.
Holy City’s small population declined rapidly after the 1940 construction of Highway 17, which bypassed the village. The real death knell, however, was Lucile Riker’s death in 1950. While she had not been able to keep her husband’s political ambitions in check (a career move that had divided the PCDW community), her very pragmatic business sense had kept the community self-supporting. Riker lost control of the property in an attempt to revise Holy City’s fortunes by transferring ownership to an alleged, and very minor, Hollywood producer, Maurice Kline, in 1956-57. Subsequent legal battles left the PCDW dispossessed and Holy City in the hands of a land development company. By the early 1960s, little was left after arson and bulldozers destroyed most buildings.
Harry Plate, journalist and writer, served as Associate Editor of
To get beyond the “tidy collection of vignettes” that made up most popular accounts of Holy City, Plate interviewed Riker family members, aging disciples, and Holy City neighbors and critics. Riker’s niece, Helen Dunning, and nephew, Ray Riker, helped Plate pin down elusive details of Riker’s early life and background. “First disciple” Irvin B. Fisher, then approaching 90, provided additional details about The Philosophy, while Joe Albert, an early disciple and one of the few remaining PCDW residents of Holy City, allowed him limited access to the Riker house. The PCDW’s youngest disciple and self-proclaimed heir, Wallace Stovall, gave Plate access to early documentation and photographs.
Plate’s extensive correspondence with Robert Alexander Clogher provides special insight. Clogher, a local surveyor and
self-styled “Passing Paladin of the Holy Citizens,” had helped the remaining eight elderly PCDW disciples protest Riker’s
illegal “sale” of Holy City to an alleged Hollywood producer, Maurice Kline, in 1956. Fourteen years later, Clogher still
held the
Included among Plate’s research and interview notes are many original Riker letters, 100 photographs and postcards, other early PCDW documents and printed material. In addition to the original material, several sources (particularly Wallace Stovall) allowed Plate to photocopy their originals. Also included are news clippings, and a notebook kept by postmistress and bookkeeper Winifred Allington.
Plate’s “Riker: From Mechanic to Messiah,”
William E. Riker, “Notes of “Father” Riker (ca. 12 pages of notes, n.d.), accession no. 1997-237-666.
News clippings collection: Cities and Towns: Holy City (1 folder)
Charles J. Allard,
Joan B. Barriga,
Betty Lewis,
Eleanor Mauro,
Plate’s story of William E. (“Ed”) Riker up to 1919, based on his interviews and other research. Includes typescript and two additional photocopies of first two pages of introduction.
Two inserts: “Free at Last,” and “He began reading more.”
May be a draft of a proposed second article in series.
Letters about his research/article with Holy City disciples and others, not included in separate folders below (eg. see also his correspondence with Helen Dunning (folder 4); Robert Clogher (folders 11-12), and Wally Stovall (folder 16).
On back of Plate's letter.
Riker and other PCDW members were often involved in property related lawsuits, and more serious legal actions, including alleged fraud, sedition, and murder (most of which are covered in correspondence and newsclippings elsewhere in the collection). Plate was especially intrigued with Riker’s interaction with Melvin Belli, who defended him from sedition charges in 1942 by downplaying Riker as crazy, and the 1956-59 controversy over Riker’s inappropriate “sale” of Holy City to Marvin Kline. (see also notes and correspondence about probate of Lucille Riker’s will, folder 8, and Robert Clogher correspondence on this battle, folders 11, 12).
Notes.
Original and Copies.
Includes letter from Robert Clogher regarding Riker’s fraudulent transfer of title to Kline, and revealing disciples’ disenchantment with Riker and distrust of Kline.
Plate’s letters to Riker’s niece, Helen Dunning, and interview notes, regarding William Riker’s biography and family. Dunning, the daughter of Ed Riker’s younger sister Agnes (1876-1967), helped him fill in much about Riker’s mysterious background and life before 1930.
Plate’s notes from Helen Dunning regarding William Riker, including an extensive biographical chronology.
Transcript of Plate’s interview via telephone.
Chronological Order
Incorporation to promote friendly, benevolent, spiritual and beneficent association and feeling, with directors W.E. Riker, chairman, Anna Scramm, secretary, and I. E. [sic] Fisher; with Los Angeles as principal place of business, for fifty years.
Lists lease terms and conditions, and signed by agent for Gendotti Estate Co.
Re: “business pertaining to Sams place of business..” Sam, “a plum real live one” was too valuable to waste on a sick business (which, despite Sam’s work, has turned little or no profit), but he seemed to believe the Rikers and Fisher were “trying to put some thing over on him as he terms it, that is not as clean cut and open as a book.”
Has completed the job he was sent to do, and is ready to return “home”, with Mrs. Hanson willing to “try Mrs. Riker.” Has no money to bring back Mrs. Hanson, and their three children.
“I will not be able to be at class…”
Testifies that he has been doing some $2000 in dentistry work for PCDW, finds the Rikers “people who take great interest in all their associates.”
“The black mailing gang in the Leakley case are busy at this end again… said that your lawyer at Los Angeles had given Leakley a copy of the receipt which she signed, but that she was not satisfied…if we did not have this other complicated case on our hands, I certainly would go after that woman and have her up as a black mailer…whatever settlement you can come to at the least figures…will be satisfactory with us.”
“…so busy in various channels…my time is not my own..hard for me to explain my situation and affairs to you…I belong to an organization composed of a class of people who all work in common together.” Busy with land trouble, continual business “We as an organization are preparing a little country home up in the mountains and a great deal of our time and attention is taken up there also.”
Angry Sam is leaving and taking “this old wornout machine.” “You [and his family] were a constant expense to the order…you are in debt to us, not us to you” Also about Frieda Schwartz, who “got on the witness stand and testified to a lot of lies about us and then committed suicide.”
Notary public, San Francisco
[Note: his spelling:] “Fred Schwarz being duly sworn deposition say: I wish to state testify and confess at my own free will that [I] heard Pearl Archer converse and influence my mother and father to testify against Mr. and Mrs. Riker for no other purpose that to do them up. I also know that Pearl Archer holds the power over my father. Of all the years I was associated with the PCDW I never once have seen or heard anything immoral. I positively belive [sic] my mother siuicide [sic] was cause the evil influence of Pearl Archer and if she had been left alone under the care of Mrs. Riker were she was always happy while there she would be alive and happy to day.”
“I wish you would not send me any money. I feel that I have been amply paid for all I have ever done for you. Besides I am well aware that the past year has been one of great trials and expense to you…”
Chronological Order
Concerns her “leg work” re: Wolf and Company, legal action about the lease with Mrs. Archer, Archer’s suit for damages, “I have searched high and low for the lease of that Hayes Street property (Wolf and Co., agents) and unable to find it. Is it not in your possession?”
To introduce teacher Bessie I. Cole.
Miss Cole’s request for animals for San Jose High’s animal exhibition gladly granted.
Re: pending case
Re: upcoming
Assunta was the mother of Donald Dencole, listed by Plate as an employee following an auto accident. [Note: her spelling:] “Please tell mi wat ken I do for you my Dear Brother? ..I nid your precious help in everi ten now ..I send to you my little moni $25”
“I see your Divine eyes wide open lok upon mi I want to do for ever my Divine and sacred duty… I Read again your great Nun Book and I fand on forteen and nineteen page about sex forse…”
Wagner working at a sugar refinery, encourages her to come “just to put more knowledge to you I have got enough…Everything in its nature state even the people are born natural without fathers… Hoping you come and start a zoo in Holy City…No one writes to me so I hope you write when you have time.”
Got Lucille’s poem opening KFQU; Asks for news, did she move “to the house on the hill that you were going to remodel.” Sister in Oceanside, and friends in Muscatine can sometimes hear Holy City radio. “Wonderful thing radio is. Wish we had one.” Heard from Lucille’s mom, who is now living alone and didn’t say where May was living [California].
Encourages them to put good material into building Holy City, “you want to have what others havn’t got and then they would wonder where you got it…Mrs. Riker, I am right up against it have not got a home or clothes or nothing so I am out of work and no friends… What I would like to do it to buy for you and take care of your interest…I want to kane myself a PC and I want to be a leader a/man with brains not with mussles. I want Mr. Riker to teach me what he knows and help the PC. The animals here are just the thing for your zoo. What I would like is a debate with Mr. Riker and win $10,000 being he hasn’t seen things that happened 5,000 years ago like I have seen here and see it now. ...”
Chronological Order
Re: gift of publication to library
For goods received from Mrs. W. E. Riker, to A. W. Watt, Sydney, Australia.
For goods received from Mrs. W. E. Riker, to C. M. Schwab, Bethlehem, PA.
Asking if she can bring her 11 year old daughter with her when she returns, “the other children can find work in San Francisco or some where near when they come later.” Husband will remain long enough to get straightened out concerning the house (which isn’t yet paid for.)
Bring your daughter, the others can come too and decide what to do. “Of course younger people in order to be happy and contented in Holy City have to be lovers of Wisdom, and as you know young people are so inclined they have so many material things that stand before them which they have to pass through” California is beautiful, but also “is a spot where the majority of truth seekers congregate.”
“…Ruby Landgraf has warrants for Evelyn [Rosencrantz] and a number of new checks, some of which were forgeries, and your name used.” Advises letting “them” get her in Los Angeles for check fraud, “Just keep in the clear now. Don’t talk about the matter…she might be able to have you arrested, or something, claiming that you violated the law in Los Angeles and San Diego…We will work the thing and get the suits dismissed and then we will have the Surety Company to deal with.”
Re: Rosencrantz case: “I believe you have in your possession a letter; also that $5,000 Rosencrantz note and possibly checks etc., pertaining to this case, for which you will have no further use …it might be well for us to lay them safely away on the shelf” and invites him to Holy City.
Re: People vs. Evelyn Rosencrantz. Re her request for return of forged checks and documents “delivered to me by your husband during the trial of the above entitled case, please permit me to advise that these papers can not be delivered to you at this time, as an appeal has been taken by the defendant and your papers will remain in evidence until the matter is determined by a higher court.” Thanks for the invite to Holy City, “I shall be only too glad to drop in to see what a Holy City looks like at the first opportunity I get.”
“Please tell me if you have room for one more It is utterly impossible to stay where I am, also I wish to know if you have a truck I have a washing machine sewing machine and a few boxes and a large trunk…”
“Your letter received but it will be absolutely necessary for you to come and see me and have a talk with me before I could decide as to whether we have room for you or not. We always have room for one more of your own kind, but it is up to us to decide whether any one is or not as it is the understanding and the spirit that governs the entire situation and not the personality…”
Re:
Re:
“The following information covers our proposal to construct an airport at Holy City.” Lists men involved. Proposed airline from San Francisco to Holy City will be established by “Americas Airways.”
For $15,000, to establish an airport and 1000 foot runway, hanger for two 3-seat airplanes, etc.
Maurice Bleuel, who prosecuted the Rosencrantz case, no longer with this office, he doesn’t understand what papers and notes you refer to; please identify “with more certainty, and then, providing the ends of justice permit, we shall take the necessary steps to return them to the proper parties.”
Writing for Calista that Harry passed away.
Chronological Order
Loakley was not familiar with the case; if documents were introduced in evidence, are in the custody of the Clerk of the Court and can be withdrawn only with the joint permission of the Judge and District Attorney. If delivered to DA for preparation, should communicate with Capt of Detectives George Helms of DA’s office.
Former patient Mary Felder, or Mary Jesus, committed January 29, 1929 from the Dalles State Hospital; restless and delusional, “and had peculiar ideas of personal and spiritual relationship. She was never violent or suicidal.” Released October 10, 1929, to her father, of San Antonio, Texas.
Mary Felder/Mary Jesus/Mary Branch Jesus is presently with us and acts very strange and mysterious. Can not remember where she was institutionalized.
Thanks for book. “We still have our meetings only we have moved” Card attached: Mrs. Ella Gardiner, spiritual medium.
“I hope you have made good progress in every way with you City. I wrote you at Christmas but did not hear from you since.” Living alone in a cottage, looking after bees and bee business and garden.
Re: “next move” [in suit against Melvin Belli] “I know that you know that Belli is a professional crook…This may be a big turning point in your life.”
Sorry to inform him that he was sent a Christmas card by mistake.
Sends a copy of his letter to Earl Warren, “that supposed-to-be Supreme Court Judge,” views Talmadge as a man “picked on by God and His plan, to do a supreme job,” and offers to come to Georgia to help him, since “the time is now ripe to get busy as never before, in getting rid of all of the Race Crime that is bloomingly going on…”
Re: the “Racial Problem” (miscegenation), and Warren’s “unbelievable mistake” in allowing racial mixing as constitutional “according to your interpretation and not of Abraham Lincoln, who is acclaimed a real and a better man.”
List of Nieces and Nephews of Lucille Riker, deceased, as obtained from several of the below listed relatives…
Recommends that Gladys “would be the logical one of us to appear in court Friday...since she has the backing of sisters and brothers to prove relationship” to Aunt Lucille. [Gladys was one of Lucille’s many nieces].
“Petition for Determination of Heirship, in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Santa Clara, No. 47139 In the matter of the estate of Lucille Riker, deceased.”[note: Lucille died intestate].
Re: Can’t help him get an adjustment of the cancellation of his driver’s license.
Signed by “general manager” [Joe Albert].
Chart and analysis, for William E. Riker by Maldwyn Evans.
Signed by Jean Kline and Joseph Albert, for receipts and disbursements (mostly $60 to $90 per day, on sale of beer and wine).
Plate’s list and biographical notes, including information derived from interviews, and news clippings.
List of disciples and others, including Robert Clogher and Willis Riker.
Re: John Arthur Landstrom, “Holy City ‘Disciple’ Dead at 75."
Re: John Arthur Landstrom
Mostly Harry Plate’s correspondence with Robert Clogher, 1969-71, as well as copies of Clogher letters to other editors regarding not only Holy City and the PCDW, past and present, but current topics such as women’s liberation, the Nixon administration, the role of the press, and national and local politics. Born in New York City in 1917, Clogher received his undergraduate degree from Columbia, did graduate work at the New School for Social Research in Social Psychology (1948-50), and moved to California in 1952. In 1954, he first met Riker—who piqued his curiosity, not his loyalty. In December 1956, his car broke down in Holy City, and he was invited to stay by James Milton Wood (1905-1968), service station attendant, former journalist, and allegedly Riker’s “chief scribe” (confidential secretary). Although he was not a disciple (he rented a room behind the gas station), Clogher enjoyed their anti-establishment stance, but remained highly critical of Riker as a bigot and self-proclaimed prophet. Clogher and Wood were evicted by Riker (who considered them “troublemakers”) in 1957, after they promoted a disciples protest in late December 1956 and early 1957 against Riker’s alleged sale of the Holy City property to Maurice Kline. Clogher continued his fight for legal and public recognition of the PCDW’s corporate title) to the Holy City property in this 1970 correspondence.
Clogher, a local surveyor, was also founding director of “Prometheans” in 1950, and subsequently a publicity director and an early president of the National Nudist Council, He ran unsuccessfully, but in good humor, for various local offices.
Re: Holy City’s fraudulent “sale” and “resale,” the truth as published in the
Copy for Harry Plate, “for his enlightenment.”
Copy for Harry Plate.
“Copy to Hugh Van Dusen, with Harry’s imprimatur.”
With note, Hallowe’en, 1970
Sent as enclosure to Harry Plate, above.
CC: Associate Editor,
Copy for Harry Plate, enclosed with above.
“First disciple” and one of the three original founders of the Perfect Divine Christian Way, the Ohio-born Fisher was a mechanic and carpenter, and superintendent of Holy City’s “Mechanical Engineering.” Fisher first met Riker in 1913 in Indianapolis, and was among the three 1918 trustees incorporating the PCDW in Los Angeles. He established two schools and headquarters in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and received the official title of Reverend from Riker; he was the only disciple to be deemed “Father.” He moved to Holy City in the early 1920s. In 1942, Fisher murdered Joseph Witzig and seriously injured Arthur Kastner in an argument over a location of a fire ladder. Sentenced to five years in San Quentin, he was paroled in 1944, and cautioned not to return to Holy City. He subsequently moved to a Quonset hut on Summit Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains, not far from Holy City, where he lived until his death at age 98.
“An account of Holy City, its philosophy and activities, also his connections with it.” Includes his background, and early PCDW history, and the Holy City philosophy.
Fisher’s religious interpretations.
“Colony Carpenter Faces Murder Charge in Court.”
Constance Kidwell, a Holy City resident (not a disciple), had many stories about Riker (“a con man
through and through”) and life at Holy City. Unfortunately, many are based on rumor or otherwise unsubstantiated,
with facts awry and names misspelled, but her comments are revealing of beliefs held by Holy City’s neighbors.
(Plate’s April 13, 1970 interview suggests her sources were limited to Holy City postmistress Helen Long, a senile
Harry Ryan, and local journalist Jim Edmunson.) Her manuscript, “The End of a Utopia,” was offered to and purchased
by the
by Harry Plate of his April 13, 1970 interview.
Manuscript of article submitted to
Plate’s notes and transcript of his two interviews with Reginald Gifford Riker (aka “Ray” Riker), son of William E. Riker’s younger brother Daniel. Ray provided family background and other information (and some misinformation) on both Ed and Lucille Riker.
Miscellaneous notes and letters, photocopied by Harry Plate from the files of Wallace E. Stovall of San Jose. Stovall first met Riker in 1937 as a child, and later as a radio repairman. Although he did not live at Holy City, he was named President of Perfect Christian Divine Way in 1968 when it was reincorporated. He then moved the PCDW to San Jose, where he operated his TV repair shop. (At this Holy City election, William Riker was elected secretary, and Joe Albert, James Wood, and Irwin Fisher were named board members; Stephen Rozum joined board in 1969. Riker, who had been in and out of rest homes, died that year. Both Stovall and Joe Albert were allegedly writing up the story of Holy City, but only Stovall agreed to help Plate, on the basis of quid pro quo. NOTE: this folder includes photocopies of Riker and PCDW materials similar to those in folders 5-8.
Enclosure with above. Includes letter from Robert Clogher re: Riker’s fraudulent transfer of title to Kline.
“I will close the doors to the public and use no more energy in trying to find any more P.C.D.W. Christ Blooded people….our energy will be used for our own crowd and we as a whole will tell the world something through our deeds as never before.”
“I am fixing things to do something big, so let me do it and you can have all the praise. Here is a list of a few things I want to do at once.”
“I am writing you this at the urgent request of Grace Bishop, to tell you you [sic] are now the only one that can lay absolute claim to the name of Mrs. W. E. Riker. She says to tell you she has done as you asked her and got I, and son to give up the name…”
Harry Plate's note: “Handwriting on envelope not same as on letter inside. Envelope address appears to be handwriting of Lulu Stewart – per letter 8/10/28 from LA to Lucille Riker.” Also note: California State Death Records reveals that Lucille’s family name was Schutrum, thus Jensen was probably a married name. RLN
Agnes Riker (1876-1967) was Ed Riker’s younger sister.
Good for One Reading: Prof. W. Riker, Hold Your Ticket, Good at Any Time.
List of words to suggest object.
Includes letter from “The Leader” to “Dear Ones,” Palms [Calif.], October 20, 1920.
Includes letter from “The Leader” to “Dear Ones,” Palms [Calif.], October 20, 1920.
“Emma Phillips Asks: Is it necessary for the boys to pass through the dining room and kitchen when going form the backyard to the street?..Is it necessary for the boys to lean back in their chairs which keeps me from passing when serving?”
“I wish to testify in regards to Mr. W. E. Riker and his teaching, they are exactly as represented in every particular.” (Signatures include Mrs. Lucille Jensen, 2551 Farnam St.)
“I wish to testify and confess that the teaching of Mr. W. E. Riker entitled the Perfect Christian Divine Way Teachings are exactly as represented,…” (Signatures incl. Arthur Landstrom).
“I a Student and a Investigator of Mr. W. E. Riker’s Teachings, entitle the Perfect Christian Divine Way Teaching…I wish to give my signature in this behalf…” Signatures include Irwin B. Fisher, Miss E. W. Allington, Miss Elsie Burch, Stephen Rozum.
“I wish to openly testify that I was one of the attendits and a critical investigator…” Signatures include Ed Caulfield, J. Grace Bindt, Lulu Stewart (both at 1103 O’Farrell)
“…I wish to testify after taking lessons of the Higher Wisdom of the PCDW Teachings…” Signatures include Mrs. Lulu M Steuart, Edward Caulfield, Burnett Atherton.
“I Myself being a thorough investigator, student and Disciple of the Perfect Christian Divine Way philosophy…” Signatures include Lucille Riker, L. Nothingham, L. Stewart, W. Wallington, S. Staube.
To Dr. A. T. Hoisholt, Supt, Napa State Hospital, in re: Arthur Kastner. Signatures include W.E. and Mrs. W.E. Riker).
“I, the undersigned, do hereby affix my signature as a symbol of my word in bond, that I am leaving the P.C.D.W. order, because I am unable at the present time to be a sister to those who are willing to be and in a position to be by me…” Signed by Aurelia Kruhm [Amelia Krahn?]. (Witnesses: Sophie Staub, Frieda Schwarz, E.W. Allington, Emma Phillips, Anna Schrahm, Katherine Yarger, Lucille Riker). No date. Note: Amelia Krahn is listed in 1920 U.S. Census at this address.
“In our last lesson we made clear that we have discriminate between the worms of the dust and those who claim to be intelligent and otherwise…anyone who goes to the extreme measure of deviation make themselves subject to being barred from future lessons since the former lessons did them no good.” No date. 1 leaf, typescript (photocopy), signed. Signatures include A. Landstrom, Albert Thiele, Stephen Rozum, F. Rommel, Anna Schramm, E. W. Allington, L. E. Nothingham, David Capp, J. Albert, Joe Witzig. [22 disciples]
Photocopies of Newsclippings, most unattributed and undated; see also Plate’s collection of Mercury newsclippings, folder 18.
With photo of W. E. Riker and Villon Riker.
Re: Riker, who “represents a cult promoting spiritual, mental and physical life,” counters a heckler in cold night street talk, saying the Jew is “rightfully the ruler of the world, chief in finance, commerce and intellectual development.”
"'Perfect Christian Divine Science' Has New Road to Happiness; Much Love Necessary; At So Much a Lesson Anyone Can Evaporate and Cheat the Undertaker.” Note: "Perfect Christian Divine Science" used before 1914.
Photos of Riker in “altar robes.”
Re: Rosencrantz Accusation. Jump page, continuation from page one, column one, not available.
“Castoff Wife Slain, States Appeal of Prison Lifer; Mrs. Rosencrantz, Former Cult Head’s Secretary, Tells of Quicklime Burial; San Quentin Inmate Feared She Would Be Next If Victim’s Fate Told.”
Re: Fred Rosencrantz, alias C.A. Reid, injured while evading police (son of Evelyn Rosencranz, herself awaiting trial in Oakland)
Photo and caption re: Five San Francisco dancers led by Estelle Reed.
Re: accusation of Evelyn Rosencrantz, “life prisoner at San Quentin.” "William E. Riker, ‘king’ of Holy City, mystic cult in the Santa Cruz Mountains, was taken into custody by police at Culver City today and grilled in connection with a sensational accusation that he murdered a ‘cast-off’ wife, Mrs. Margaret White, in 1927."
Re: Helen A. Long.
“The Brotherhood has shrunk to one.” (Winifred Allington).
Obituary.
Obituary.
By Gil Bailey.
By Starr Perrin. Faint copy – magazine article.
A Santa Clara Adult Education teacher of general semantics, psycho-cybernetics, and other “new age topics,” and “Bishop” in the PCDW, Watkins conducted services at the “Church of the Divine Way,” 525 E. Santa Clara, San Jose. In 1970, he taught a course in black history and race relations and was an activist in projects for racial understanding. Credit report reveals a good character and generous nature, and membership in a “self-realization” organization that meets every Friday (PCDW).
Church of the Divine Way, Rev. Isaiah M. Watkins, DD.
Includes photocopies of posters and handouts from “Santa Clara County Museum."
“Holy City,” pp. 25-28.
pp. 154-157.
p. 1553.
p. 168.
See also Folder 8, for Holy City 1920s (Stovall copy prints).
“Headquarters for the Worlds Perfect Government” (two story clapboard structure, with tower. Next door, “High Class Printing” [ca 1925-35 – see car]. [Accessioned 05/07 2007-30-6].
Sign: City Principle, All Mysteries Answered, open. White garage-like building.
Three buildings, including “Holy City Speaks the Truth” (on signboard), building with angels on top (“Holy City is the Comforter and the New Jerusalem”), and “Public Comfort Station” on right.
Two story clapboard Market building. “Red and White,” with white “Made-Rite, San Jose, Cal.” With truck, and slope back car.
The Rikers’ house and garden, as seen from road below.
Billboard into town: “This is the great symbolic building to be erected in Holy City…Free Literature Explains.” In background, Market (at left), garage (at right). [Accessioned 05/07 2007-30-5].
“Headquarters for the World’s Perfect Government” ; sign over door: “Father Riker, the King of all wise men, gives to the world a new and perfect form of government,” and signs, paintings at sides of windows and doors. [Accessioned 5/07 – 2007-30-2].
Signs -“The Whole Truth Right Here and at Holy City and Nowhere Else” surrounded by wire fence; headquarters “The Comforter”, behind picket fence. Larger white building may be the garage. Note post-war cars. (scrapbook album page). [Accessioned 05/07 2007-30-8].
“The Whole Truth Right Here and at Holy City and Nowhere Else,” surrounded by wire fence. Note post-war cars. (From scrapbook album).
“The Comforter”, behind picket fence. Cars. (On same scrapbook album page as #9).
Riker in his Cadillac, with sign on top: “Go to Holy City Learn the Truth, for only there can it be found about religion, a perfect government, world peace and the racial problem, free lecture Sunday 3pm at Holy City.” Parked in front of sign: “Holy city Speaks the Truth: It’s only the white race WOMEN of all nationalities of the White Race People who magically reflect and demonstrate the true spirit of Christ and Christianity and not any Church—or any preacher.” Gift shop in background. Cars. (On same scrapbook album page as #12).
Riker and van, with signage (Riker in back with loudspeakers), parked in front of Gift Shop. Cars. (On same page of scrapbook as 11, on back are nos. 13-14).
Riker in back with loudspeakers, [Stovall?] standing; Cadillac parked next to truck. In front of “Holy city is the comforter and the New Jerusalem.” Ca. 1950-54 (note cars) (from scrapbook album). (Top, On same leaf of scrapbook as 14, on back 11-12).
Car, with sign on top, parked in front of comfort station and “Holy city is the comforter and the New Jerusalem.” Ca. 1940’s car. (From scrapbook album, photo on bottom of page, on same leaf of scrapbook as 13, on back 11-12).
Santa Claus statute, with “Holy City is introducing a new world of Freedom and contentment. It is called a new Jew and Gentile World.” On back “Stovall."
Observatory telescope, with signs, gas station at right.
Santa Claus statues and their shed, with sign: “The Gentile White Man is the King of the Entire World – Read what the wise men say.”
“Peep in the Churches.” Line of at least eight churches, with young man peeping in. Sign behind: “Golden Glow Beer." [Accessioned 5/07 2007-30-4].
Head and shoulders portrait of Riker, bearded, in turban, frock coat, white waistcoat, black tie. On front: [-] Portrait Co., 11067 Market St., San Francisco. [Accessioned 05/07 2007-30-7]
Riker, with turban and beard.
Riker, bearded, in broad brimmed hat, frock coat, white waistcoat, black tie, standing. On front: [-] Portrait Co., 11067 Market St., San Francisco.
Riker, bearded, in white waistcoat, and long black frock coat, seated in wicker chair. No hat.
Riker, standing with hand on chair. Three piece business suit, fore-in-hand tie, hat. Unknown studio. Photo upper left corner damaged, print silvering.
Riker in high crowned fedora, bow tie, and suit (that looks too big for him). On front [studio]: Stone, 64 ½ Wabash, Terre Haute [Indiana]
Riker, in boater hat, with right hand to forehead, and left holding client’s hand, both seated, gentleman looking away. On back “Ed Riker doing mind reading.”
Riker, in boater hat, with right hand to forehead, and left holding client’s hand, both seated. Variation of previous, signs and stall more visible, gentleman client looking at Riker.
Riker, in bowler hat and long coat, standing, with right hand to forehead of seated gentleman. Signs and stall visible.
Riker, in boater hat, with holding lady client’s right hand, both seated. Signs and stall visible.
Riker, left, and unidentified gentleman in bowler hat, standing at Riker’s mind reading stall.
Riker, smiling, in suit and hat. Associated Press photograph, Los Angeles. On back: “Associated Press Photo LA763, Caption watch credit, from Los Angeles. ‘King’ William E. Riker, cult leader of Palms, Cal., who has been accused of murdering Mr. Margaret White there in November, 1927. Riker, who was questioned, denied the accusations, which were made by Mrs. Evelyn Rosencranz, a San Quentin prison convict. No charges have been filed against Riker. –JH-4/25/29 (Miss R.West) (CX1NV1).”
October 30, 1942 newspaper photo (Date on back). On Back (Newspaper clipping): “Arrested. Calmly unruffled and philosophical, “Father” William E. Riker, Holy City cult leader, holds a $7500 cashier’s check crumpled in his hand as he awaits his release on bail here last night, following his arrest on charges of having made seditious statements to U.S. soldiers. The eccentric patriarch, who this year for the second time is a candidate for governor and announced himself as a presidential candidate in 1940, declared that his war record will stand up to government scrutiny. He said he has a son in the army, has purchased war bonds, and collected scrap metal.” [Accessioned 5/07 2007-30-1].
Riker, seated in his Cadillac, with sign, parked in road below his Holy City house. Sign on top: “Go to Holy City Learn the Truth, for only there can it be found about religion, a perfect government, world peace and the racial problem, free lecture Sunday 3pm at Holy City.”
Riker standing in back near loudspeakers. Parked in front of comfort station, Holy City.
Riker, at back of van, with sign reading: “Get ready for the Armageddon; suffering and trouble unlike any other time in History; says the comforter and the savior; get free literature."
Riker, at back of van, right arm raised, with sign.
Closer view of Riker, at back of van, both arms on sign: “Get ready for the Armageddon; suffering and trouble unlike any other time in History; says the comforter and the savior."
Date on back: July 29, 1966, San Jose Mercury. Newsclip pasted on back “Baptism—‘Father’ William E. Riker, founder of Holy City, listens and touches candle as the Rev. Henry Tomei recites Roman Catholic baptism ritual. Also holding candle are Mike Steffani, left, and Mrs. Edward Steffani (not visible), Riker’s godparents. Two of Riker’s disciples, Irvin Fisher, 85, facing camera, and Stephen Rozum, 81, back to camera, witnessed the ceremony.” [note: Father Tomei, St. Mary’s, Los Gatos]. [Accessioned 05/07 # 2007-30-11]
On back: San Jose Mercury, Fri Jul 29, 1966. [Newsclip:] “Grateful—William E. Riker, 93, “father” of Holy City, kisses hand of the Rev. Henry Tomei after Riker was baptized Roman Catholic Thursday at St. Mary’s Church. Mike Steffani, friend of Father Tomei’s, acted as godfather to Riker.”
On back: Fri Jul 29, 1966 San Jose Mercury. Riker anointed by Rev. Tomei.
On back: Fri Jul 29, 1966 San Jose Mercury. [Newsclip:] Followers Watch Rites: Irvin Fisher, 85 (standing left background), and Steven Rozum, 81 (partly hidden), faithful followers of the long-defunct Perfect Christian Divine Way, Inc., watch as the Santa Cruz Mountain’s cult founder, William E. Riker, 93 (center), is baptized a Roman Catholic in Los Gatos by the Rev. Henry Tomei.”
On back: “Wed Jun 1957.” [newsclip:] “Holy City Leader—In his sick bed in a Los Gatos rest home, ‘Father’ William E. Riker calmly took the news that Holy City’s main ‘spiritual’ building had been leveled by fire. He said a new structure, shaped like a human, will be erected but Holy City’s co-owner said plans are indefinite.”
On back: Oct 30 1942. [newsclip:] United States Commissioner Marshall Hall, left, informs ‘Father’ William E. Riker of the sedition charges against him, as Riker posts $7500 bail.—San Jose News photo.”
On back: Hearings of (Riker), Wm E. Riker, Oct 30, 1942. [newsclip:] “’Father’ William E. Riker, 68, cult leader and founder of Holy City near Los Gatos, is shown above as he appeared with federal officers before U.S. Commissioner Marshall Hall of San Jose and posted $7500 bail, following his arrest on charges of making seditious utterances to soldiers. Left to right, are Commissioner Hall, ‘Father’ Riker and U.S. Deputy Marshalls Warren D. Cain and Joseph J. Kennedy.”
On front: “Father, William E. Riker, and Father, Irvin B. Fisher, (in Los Angeles, 1917). Close up on front of house, with Riker and Fisher shaking hands, Fisher looking at camera.
Perfect Christian Divine Way-World’s Greatest Philosophy. In front, left to right: [?] Anderson, Ed Caulfield, William Riker. [Accessioned 05/07 #2007-30-9].
Identified on back as : Ed Caulfield, Speaker; Charles Northy, with sign left “PCDW” (attached to shoulders); ? Anderson, with sign right (the Devils News Paper); between signs, Tommy Davidson; right of Anderson, in hat (with unreadable sign attached), is William E. Riker. [Accessioned 05/07 # 2007-30-10].
Riker with hand on chair.
On front: “Father Riker, Father Fisher, Mother Lucile and Class, In San Francisco, 1915. ”On back: From left to right: Irwin Fisher, William Riker, Lucile Riker. Back row: T. Balthasar Kundert, Ed Caulfield, J.H. Baer (?) Front row: F.L. Spears, Burnett Atherton, ?, ? 1915 San Francisco.
On front: Father, Irvin B. Fisher, Master Teacher, of the P.C.D.W. 1970.
Seated; in white shirtwaist and tied scarf at collar, ca. 1918 from dress. On back: disciple Elsie Burch, 1041 24 Ave SE Minneapolis, Minn.
Standing beside back of Holy City Van
Disciple, with “Holy City” white cap, attending grocery store
In print shop, with green eye shade. Rozum was Holy City’s printer. Could be James Milton Wood.
Miss Winifred Allington (left) and “Mrs. W. E. Lucille Riker” (right), with gold cloth crowns, long gowns with nun-like collars, and rosary-like crucifixes. Pencil, half-erased on back: 1939.
Studio portrait by Hartsook, of Lucille, standing by chair, dressed in cloth crown, long gown, and crucifix.
Studio portrait, San Francisco?, head and shoulders, with large fur collar, natural pearl necklace, and jeweled butterfly broach.
Same sitting as above, but without fur collar.
On back: Lucille Riker’s father, copy of portrait by A. W. Neihart and Co., Elmwood, Cass Co. Neb.
On back: Lucille Riker’s mother, copy of portrait by A. W. Neihart and Co., Elmwood, Cass Co. Neb.
On back: Lucille and Sister Mae, Aug. 14, ’99. Alexander Grossheim, Berlin Studio, Muscatine, Iowa.
Presumably Francis Villon Riker (Willis) born 1909. Boy about 4, studio prop back of train car with sign “Leaving Minneapolis.”
Riker, seated, with boy (about 2) at his side, studio portrait. On back, “Riker and son” Presumably Francis Villon Riker (aka Willis).
On front: “Bessie Zetty, as the second Mrs. Riker, bore him a son in 1909.” Woman, in suit and hat, standing near tree in park.
On back: “Bessie Zetty Riker—second wife. Stovall [source].”
On back: “Bessie Zetty, Riker’s second wife. … [also] Bessie Zetta Riker. Stovall." Woman near flowering bush.
Accession No. 2007-30-3.
The "Mystery Spot."
View from hill, with house/knoll on left, main buildings center, tree-covered mountains in back. Few cars (only one truck is clearly visible). Same photograph was used in pamphlets “The New World of Tomorrow,” (1939) p. 1, and “The Light of The World; True Solution Book” (1939), inside back cover.
In hat, copy of original print on wall or board.
Studio identification on card: Weber, Ogden, Utah. Written on back: “One of Ed’s Women."
Identification from handwritten note on front.
Eight copy prints, on two proof sheets, made in 1970 from originals shown to Plate by Wallace E. Stovall.
(top left) Holy City Observatory and radio KFQU tower, with billboards and “This is Holy City” sign next to gas pump. (top right) Holy City garage, grocery store, with tree, “Buy Here, Gasoline, Oils and all Auto Necessities. (lower left) Radio station KFQU, with tower. (lower right) Restaurant and dance floor.
(top left) Looking down hill, from print shop to restaurant. (top right) Holy City billboard on hill. (lower left) Rikers’ house, Holy City Fire Department, and Holy City trucks. (lower right) Holy city from hill (observatory?), including garage, grocery store, print shop, headquarters, comfort station, dance hall and restaurant.
7 strips of 35mm negatives of Holy City, ca 1970, with two contact print sheets (33 images), showing Holy City as Harry Plate and his photographer saw it when they interviewed Joe Albert. Also 28 negatives (4x5), all copies of above images (for use in Plate’s articles)
New York: The Exposition Press.
While presumably narrated by Father Riker, it is likely that these were often “ghost-written” and/or edited by the comparatively better-educated “Mother” Lucille Riker, Stephen Rozum, printer, and/or “Father” Irvin Fisher.
Holy City: Literature Department. Original price $1.00.
Holy City: Literature Department.
Holy City: Literature Department.
Includes letters to President Dwight Eisenhower, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Earl Warren, and Soviet Prime Minister G. M. Malenkov.
Holy City Press. Original price 25 cents.
Lecture delivered over Radio Station KFQU, Holy City, October 8, 1928. William E. Hickman was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of Marion Parker in 1928.