◆ SpookStack

Chicago File 714-39 “Drew Ali's leadership wa contested. In 1929 he became embroiled in a “suarred with Claudo Green, politician and former buticr ef Julius Rosenwald, the previously had joined the tomple. Onc day Drew arrivod at his office to find that Jrecnc had movod all the furniturc outsido and declered himself Crand Shoik. A civil war onsued, cach faction enlisting support from tcmplcs in other citics. Groinc was shot and stabbcd toe dcath in his offices at the Unity Club on the night of Murch 15, 1929. : “Drew Ali, arrestcd as he sot with his wife ané group of : followers colcbr:ting (authorities charged) the murder of his rival, was defended by Attorncy Anron Payno and ‘llian L. Davrsen, toxmple members wao later gained political promincnece 7 ad "Drey Ali was released on bond and suertly therseSter died under ( mystericus cirowmstances a few weeks latere One theory is that he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the police during his im- priscnumenct, another is that he was set ugcn by partisans of Greene after his roleasc and beaten so severely that he never recovered. "efter Drew Ali's death attorney Aaron Payne attempted unsuccess- fully to hold the group trgether. Each among several of the Frophet's discivles announced that he alon> was tne rightful in- heritor tc Drew Ali's leadership Stovgftibbong’ £1 (formerly the prephet's chauffeur) and iraf sonase Boy (who had been im- ported frem Pittsburgh te assis® in quelling the Grosne rovolt) each maintained that “the dead leader's spirit had mtcred hie -—-— body. Johnson, a man of action, invaded the offices of Menly Bl, Sr ansihe: a spirant, and demanded recognition as Grand Shoik. Moaiy El demurred and received a terrific mauling. Johnson then dispatched his henchmen to kidnap Kirlman Bey, whe claimed possession of Drew Ali's last will and testament. "Kirkman's wife, secretly surmising that her husband was being detained in Johuson's apartment, dirscted the police thither. A gun battle ensued in which two policemen and cae Moor were killed. Sixty-three Moors were arrested, and Jcinson was commit- ™, i ted ta the State Hospital for the Criminal LY Insune, where he ) ( subsequently diec. Steve Gibbons also was approviended aftcr he wad 2 forced his way inte Sttorney Payne's home in search of Drew Ali's Ppaperss ~Su