Guide to the Harry Plate Collection: The Rikers and Holy City, 1900-1970
Processed by Dr. Roxanne L. Nilan. Machine-readable finding aid by Eric Schultz.
History San Jose
Research Library
1650 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112-2599
Phone: (408) 287-2290
Fax: (408) 287-2291
URL: http://www.historysanjose.org
© 2008
History San Jose. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Harry Plate Collection: The Rikers and Holy City, 1900-1970
Box number: 2007-30
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California
- Processed by:
- Dr. Roxanne L. Nilan
- Date Completed:
- 2007
- Encoded by:
- Eric Schultz
© 2008 History San Jose. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Harry Plate collection: The Rikers and Holy City, 1900-1970
Dates: 1900-1970
Bulk Dates: 1960s
Collector:
Plate, Harry
Collection Size:
2 ms boxes, 1 flat box
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library.
San Jose, California 95112-2599
Physical location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the History San Jose Research Library.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
History San Jose can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claims of the
copyright holder. Permission to copy or publish any portion of History San Jose's collection must be given by History San
Jose.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Harry Plate collection: The Rikers and Holy City, 1900-1970, [Box No.] History San Jose Research
Library.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Trudy Plate (Mrs. Harry Plate), Scottsdale, Arizona, 2007
Biography: the Rikers, the PCDW, and Holy City
“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.
Summary of Collection
Harry Plate, journalist and writer, served as Associate Editor of
California Today, the Sunday magazine section of the
San Jose Mercury News. He subsequently moved to Arizona. These files were compiled in 1970 to support what Plate intended
to be a series of three feature articles on the life of William Riker (1873-1969), and the evolution of Holy City,
California, home of the disciples of Riker’s Perfect Christian Divine Way.
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
San Jose Mercury News culpable for siding with Riker and Kline in dispossessing the elderly disciples. Clogher
found Plate a sympathetic ear, however, and he shared much of what he’d learned about the community and helped correct
many apocryphal stories.
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,”
California Today (San Jose Mercury News) (30 August 1970), pp. 6-10, about Ed
Riker’s early years, was the only article he completed on the topic. “I’ll probably do two or three other installments,
covering the subsequent years—but not right away,” he wrote Helen Dunning. “First, we’ll wait to see if this brings any
new witnesses out of the woods.” Local and national events of this busy summer apparently intruded. Nevertheless, Plate’s
collection remains a rich source for further study of Holy City’s community.
Related Material at History San Jose
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,
‘Father’ William E. Riker and his Holy City, Unpublished
Masters Thesis, San Jose State University, 1968.
Joan B. Barriga,
The Holy City Sideshow (San Jose: Santa Clara County Pioneers,
1988). Unpublished paper submitted to the Santa Clara County Pioneers.
Betty Lewis,
Holy City: Riker’s Roadside Attraction in the Santa Cruz Mountains,
a Nostalgic History
(Otter B. Books, 1992). Reference Coll: F868.S33.L49x.1992
Eleanor Mauro,
William E. Riker and Holy City: An Historical Study of One Man’s Utopia,
Unpublished Masters Thesis, Dept. of Librarianship, San Jose State College, 1971.
Manuscripts, Correspondence and other Documents
Physical Description: 1 ms box
The Making of a Messiah
n.d.
Physical Description: 8 leaves, carbon copy
Scope and Content Note
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.
Riker
n.d.
Physical Description: 2 leaves
Scope and Content Note
Two inserts: “Free at Last,” and “He began reading more.”
Holy City
n.d.
Physical Description: draft, 4 typescript leaves
Scope and Content Note
May be a draft of a proposed second article in series.
Letter, William Riker to “My Dear Ones”
September 21, 1919
Physical Description: 1 leaf, transcribed, photocopy.
box 1, folder 2
Harry Plate: Miscellaneous Correspondence
1970
Scope and Content Note
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).
Plate to Mr. Wally Smith
February 25, 1970
Physical Description: Photocopy, 1 leaf.
Plate to resident
September 3, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
Plate to post master
September 3, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
Plate to Helen Long
September 14, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
John B. Heintz, postmaster, to Plate
September 25, 1970
Physical Description: Typescript, 1 leaf.
Plate to John B. Heintz
October 5, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
Plate to Carolyn Holt
October 6, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
John B. Heintz, postmaster, to Plate
September 8, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
Scope and Content Note
On back of Plate's letter.
Plate to Heintz
September 11, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
box 1, folder 3
Harry Plate: Legal Research
1970
Scope and Content Note
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).
Plate to Melvin Belli, San Francisco
February 6, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
Riker v. Kline
1956-1959
Physical Description: 7 leaves.
Scope and Content Note
Notes.
Lists of grantors and grantees
Physical Description: 10 leaves.
Scope and Content Note
Original and Copies.
Assembly Journal
April 6, 1961
Physical Description: Photocopy, pp. 2212-2213.
Scope and Content Note
Includes letter from Robert Clogher regarding Riker’s fraudulent transfer of title to Kline,
and revealing disciples’ disenchantment with Riker and distrust of Kline.
box 1, folder 4
Helen Dunning
Scope and Content Note
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 to Mrs. Helen Dunning
August 28, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
Plate to Mrs. Helen Dunning
July 2, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
Plate to Mrs. Helen Dunning
May 8, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 2 leaves.
Plate to Mrs. Helen Dunning
May 4, 1970
Physical Description: Carbon, 1 leaf.
Notes
Physical Description: 5 leaves, typescript, annotated.
Scope and Content Note
Plate’s notes from Helen Dunning regarding William Riker, including an extensive biographical
chronology.
Interview
February 25, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, annotated.
Scope and Content Note
Transcript of Plate’s interview via telephone.
box 1, folder 5
Lucille and/or William E. Riker: Correspondence and other documents
1918-1922
Arrangement
Chronological Order
Articles of Incorporation of the Perfect Christian Divine Way
September 24, 1918
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (photocopy).
Scope and Content Note
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.
Note, “Received from Wm. E. Riker, the sum of ten (10) Dollars as a deposit on store 490 Hayes
Street, San Francisco
January 7, 1920
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
Lists lease terms and conditions, and signed by agent for Gendotti Estate Co.
Letter, Lucille Riker, I. B. Fisher and Sam Hanson, San Francisco, to Our Sacred Leader and Most
High [W.E. Riker]
March 25, 1920
Physical Description: 1 leaf (two pages), typescript, signed. Letterhead: The Perfect Christian Divine Way Teachings:
the Fruit of All Religions, Headquarters at 657 Hayes Street, San Francisco.
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Letter, Sam Hanson, Burley, Idaho, “To the Most High My Dear Father God” [Riker]
February 25, 1921
Physical Description: 1 leaf, pencil holograph, signed.
Scope and Content Note
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.
Postal Card, C.O. Grant, 376 Eureka St., San Francisco, to Mother Lucille, PCDW, 557 Hayes St.,
San Francisco
September 19, 1921
Physical Description: 1 Postal card.
Scope and Content Note
“I will not be able to be at class…”
Letter, Dr. Herbert Clemmens, San Francisco, to Whom It May Concern
November 2, 1921
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed (photocopy).
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Letter, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Riker, San Francisco, to Mr. Marshall
November 8, 1921
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript carbon, not signed.
Scope and Content Note
“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.”
Letter, Mrs. W. E. Riker, to Cousin Lillian, Muscatine, Iowa
June 20, 1922
Physical Description: 1 leaf [2 pages], typescript, carbon.
Scope and Content Note
“…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.”
Letter, W.E. Riker, San Francisco, to Sam [Hanson?]
July 13, 1922
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (carbon).
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Deposition, Fred [Schwarz]
October 6, 1922
Physical Description: 1 legal leaf, holograph, signed.
Note
Notary public, San Francisco
Scope and Content Note
[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.”
Letter, Dr. G. B. Wilson, 504 Haight Street, San Francisco to Mr. and Mrs. Riker and the PCDW
Family, Hayes Street, San Francisco
December 22, 1922
Physical Description: 1 leaf, holograph, signed.
Scope and Content Note
“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…”
box 1, folder 6
Lucille and/or William E. Riker: Correspondence and other documents
1923-1925
Arrangement
Chronological Order
Letter, Mrs. W. E. Riker, to John E. Alexander, Atty, Mills Building, San Francisco
January 13, 1923
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript carbon, not signed.
Scope and Content Note
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?”
Letter, R. B. Leland, principal San Jose High School, to Mr. William Riker
October 29, 1923
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
To introduce teacher Bessie I. Cole.
Letter, Mrs. William Riker, to R.B. Leland
October 29, 1923
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (carbon).
Scope and Content Note
Miss Cole’s request for animals for San Jose High’s animal exhibition gladly granted.
Letter, John E. Alexander, Attny, San Francisco, to Mr. W. E. Riker, Alma, California
January 15, 1924
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
Re: pending case
Layne v. PCDW, bring “exact names and addresses
of witnesses you wish to call in your behalf so that I can have subpoenas issued for them.”
Letter, John E. Alexander, Attny, San Francisco, to Mr. W. E. Riker, Alma, California
September 24, 1924
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
Re: upcoming
Layne v. PCDW trial, Asks him to bring “two or more
of your members here – those who can testify as to the condition of the building at the time you took it over
and as to any changes alleged to have been made. Pick out those who would present the best appearance and who
would be able most intelligibly to answer the questions.”
Letter, Assunta Denicole, Lafayette, to “My dear Master Teacher,” [William Riker] Holy City
November 18, 1924
Physical Description: 1 leaf [2 pages], signed, with cover envelope: 306 S. 27th Street, Indianapolis, to WE Riker Holy
City, PO Alma California.
Scope and Content Note
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”
Letter, Assunta Denicole, Lafayette, Indiana, to “My Dear Mother and Queen of the Entire World,”
[Lucille Riker]
December 11, 1924
Physical Description: 2 leaves [2 pages], signed.
Scope and Content Note
“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…”
Letter, J[oe]. A. Wagner, Managua, Nicaragua, to My Dear Friend Mrs. Riker
December 25, 192[4?]
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript.
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Letter, Lillian Koll, Muscatine, Iowa, to Luciell [sic]
January 15, 1925
Physical Description: 3 leaves, holograph, signed.
Scope and Content Note
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].
Letter, Joe Wagner, Managua, Nicaragua, to Mr. and Mrs. Riker
February 27, 1925
Physical Description: 4 leaves [7 pages], holograph signed.
Scope and Content Note
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. ...”
box 1, folder 7
Riker, Lucille and/or William : Correspondence and other documents
1926-1929
Arrangement
Chronological Order
Postal card, San Francisco Public Library, to Mother Lucille Riker, Holy City, CA
June 2, 1926
Physical Description: Card.
Scope and Content Note
Re: gift of publication to library
Postal Card, US Post Office registered return receipt
December 27, 1926
Physical Description: Card.
Scope and Content Note
For goods received from Mrs. W. E. Riker, to A. W. Watt, Sydney, Australia.
Postal Card, US Post Office registered return receipt
December 23, 1926
Physical Description: Card.
Scope and Content Note
For goods received from Mrs. W. E. Riker, to C. M. Schwab, Bethlehem, PA.
Letter, Mrs. A[ssunta] De Nicole, Louisville, to “My Dear Lovely Mother” [Lucille Riker]
September 28, 1927
Physical Description: 1 leaf (two pages), holograph, signed.
Scope and Content Note
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.)
Letter, Lucille Riker, Holy City, to “My Dear,”[Assunta De Nicole]
October 4, 1927
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript. Letterhead: Holy City, Santa Clara County, California, with PCDW emblem
(Angel woman embracing PCDW and Holy City circle).
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Letter, James J. Bulger, atty, San Francisco, Calif, to Mr. W. E. Riker, Holy City
January 31, 1928
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
“…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.”
Letter, [Lucille Riker?] to District Attorney, County Court House, Oakland, California
June 13, 1928
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, not signed.
Scope and Content Note
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.
Letter, Earl Warren, District Attorney, Oakland Calif., to Mrs. W. E. Riker, Holy City, Cal
June 15, 1928
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed by Maurice J. Bleuel, deputy.
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Letter, Helen May, Wrights, California, to Mr. and Mrs. Riker
July 31, 1928
Physical Description: 1 leaf, holograph signed, with cover envelope, to Mrs. Riker of the Holy City Los Gatos.
Scope and Content Note
“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…”
Letter, Mrs. W. E. Riker to Helen May, Wrights [Station], Cal
July 31, 1928
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript carbon, not signed.
Scope and Content Note
“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…”
Letter, J. W. Ehrlich, Ehrlich and Henderson, San Francisco, Cal to N. D.[sic] Riker, Holy City,
Los Gatos, Calif
December 14, 1928
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
Re:
Layne vs. Riker. Layne attorneys asked him to produce the lease in question. “Please see
if you and Mrs. Riker will make every attempt to find it.”
Letter, J. W. Ehrlich, Ehrlich and Henderson, San Francisco to W.D. [sic] Riker
January 14, 1929
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript signed.
Scope and Content Note
Re:
Layne vs. Riker. Jan 17 trial.
Letter, S. D. Dodge, President, Aero Development Association of America, to To W.E. Riker
April 3, 1929
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript, signed. With enclosure.
Scope and Content Note
“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.”
Agreement between W. E. Riker and Sumner D. Dodge and Fredrick Bowerman
April 1929
Physical Description: 3 leaves, legal typescript, not signed.
Scope and Content Note
For $15,000, to establish an airport and 1000 foot runway, hanger for two 3-seat airplanes,
etc.
Letter, Earl Warren, District Attorney, Oakland, to Mrs. Lucille Riker, Holy City
December 21, 1929
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed by J. F. Loakley, assistant.
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Letter, Harry, New York City, to Lulu [Stewart]
n.d. [ca. 1920s]
Physical Description: 1 leaf, holograph signed.
Scope and Content Note
Writing for Calista that Harry passed away.
box 1, folder 8
Riker, Lucille and/or William : Correspondence and other documents
1930-1962
Arrangement
Chronological Order
Letter, Earl Warren, District Attorney, Oakland, to Mrs. Lucille Riker, Holy City
January 24, 1930
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed by J.F. Loakley.
Scope and Content Note
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.
Letter, [R. M. Rise?], Assistant Physician, Eastern Oregon State Hospital, to Holy City Information Office
May 22, 1930
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
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.
Letter, [Lucille?] to The Dalles State Hospital, Oregon
May 29, 1930
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, carbon (no header or signature).
Scope and Content Note
Mary Felder/Mary Jesus/Mary Branch Jesus is presently with us and acts very strange and
mysterious. Can not remember where she was institutionalized.
Letter, Mr. and Mrs. [Ella] Gardiner, Omaha, to Mr. and Mrs. Riker
September 10, 1930
Physical Description: 1 leaf, holograph signed.
Scope and Content Note
Thanks for book. “We still have our meetings only we have moved” Card attached: Mrs. Ella
Gardiner, spiritual medium.
Letter, S. Crawford, Castledery, Co. Tyrone, Ireland, to Dear Friend
July 28, 1930
Physical Description: 1 leaf, holograph signed.
Scope and Content Note
“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.
Letter, W. E. Riker, Holy City, to V. W. Hallinan, Attny, San Francisco, California
October 14, 1944
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript (photocopy).
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Letter, Melvin M. Belli, San Francisco, to W. E. Riker, Holy City
December 26, 1944
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (photocopy).
Scope and Content Note
Sorry to inform him that he was sent a Christmas card by mistake.
Letter, W. E. Riker, Holy City, to Herman Talmadge, Gov. of Georgia
June 4, 1954
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (carbon).
Scope and Content Note
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…”
Letter, W. E. Riker, Holy City, to the Honorable [Chief Justice] Earl Warren
June 4, 1954
Physical Description: 6 leaves, typescript (carbon). Holy City Letterhead: A Friend to Every Man and Region on Earth;
Headquarters for Perfect System of Government: The Holy City: The New and Only Holy City of the World.
Scope and Content Note
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
April 1, 1959
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
List of Nieces and Nephews of Lucille Riker, deceased, as obtained from several of the
below listed relatives…
Letter, Evelyn [Krenz], Pasadena, Calif., to Father Riker
April 25, 1959
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
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
n.d. [1959?]
Physical Description: 2 leaves, pencil.
Scope and Content Note
“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].
Letter, Frank M. Jordan, Secretary of State, California, to Father W. E. Riker, Holy City
May 10, 1962
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
Re: Can’t help him get an adjustment of the cancellation of his driver’s license.
box 1, folder 9
William Riker/PCDW miscellaneous
Automobile orders
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Signed by “general manager” [Joe Albert].
Natal horoscope
February, 1952
Physical Description: 5 leaves, handwritten.
Scope and Content Note
Chart and analysis, for William E. Riker by Maldwyn Evans.
Daily Cash Reports
December 21, 1957 - February 8, 1958
Scope and Content Note
Signed by Jean Kline and Joseph Albert, for receipts and disbursements (mostly $60 to $90 per
day, on sale of beer and wine).
box 1, folder 10
Disciples, Relations and other Informants: Lists and Notes
Scope and Content Note
Plate’s list and biographical notes, including information derived from interviews, and news
clippings.
Harry Plate's Notes
Physical Description: 6 leaves, holograph.
Nephews and nieces of Lucille Riker, deceased
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript.
Holy City
Scope and Content Note
List of disciples and others, including Robert Clogher and Willis Riker.
Biographical notes
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, each, except where noted.
Scope and Content Note
- Albert, Joseph
- Allington, Winifred
- Bachman, E. R.
- Catts, D. L.
- Clogher, Robert Alexander (2 leaves)
- Dencole [DeNicole], Donald
- Fisher, Irwin Bryant
- Harme, Charles
- Kastner, Arthur
- Nelson, Carol
- Northy, Charlie
- Pommel, Fred
- Rechsteiner, Emil
- Reynolds, Harry
- Riker, Francis Villon (aka Willis)
- Rommel, Frederick William
- Rosencrantz, Evelyn
- Rozum, Stephen
- Stovall, Wallace E.
- Strauss, Marguerite
- Thiele, Albert
- Watkins, Isaiah M (DD)
- Witzig, Joe
- Wood, James Milton
Newsclipping
April 24, 1965
Physical Description: Clipping and photocopies.
Scope and Content Note
Re: John Arthur Landstrom, “Holy City ‘Disciple’ Dead at 75."
Obituary
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Re: John Arthur Landstrom
box 1, folder 11
Clogher, Robert Alexander (1917-1984): Correspondence
November 1969-August 1970
Scope and Content Note
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.
Robert Clogher, Holy City, to Editor [Ted Bredt or Harry Farrell?],
California Today
November 22, 1969
Physical Description: 3 leaves, typescript (photocopy).
Harry Plate to Robert Clogher
February 3, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript.
Harry Plate to Robert Clogher
April 7, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript.
Robert Clogher to Harry Plate
April 10, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
Re: Holy City’s fraudulent “sale” and “resale,” the truth as published in the
Holy City Clarion, Jan 4, 1957, by James Milton Wood, re PCDW incorporation
#87117.
Robert Clogher to Harry Plate
April 10, 1970
Physical Description: 4 leaves, typescript, signed.
Harry Plate to Robert Clogher
April 13, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript.
Robert Clogher, Holy City, to Editor [Ted Bredt],
California Today
July 28, 1970
Physical Description: 4 leaves, typescript (2 copies, typescript and carbon, both signed).
Robert Clogher to Harry
April 17, 1970
Physical Description: 8 leaves, typescript annotated and signed.
Robert Clogher to Harry
April 18, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript signed, with attachment: “The Voice of Prometheus,” by Robert Alexander Clogher,
7 leaves, typescript (carbon), signed.
Robert Clogher to Harry Farrell,
San Jose Mercury News
April 21, 1970
Physical Description: 7 leaves, typescript (carbon), signed (cc: Harry Plate).
Harry Plate to Robert Alexander Clogher
July 2, 1970
Physical Description: 3 leaves, typescript (carbon).
Robert Clogher to Harry [Plate]
July 6, 1970
Physical Description: 4 leaves, typescript, signed.
Harry Plate to Robert Clogher
July 15, 1970
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript (carbon).
Robert Clogher to Harry Plate
July 20, 1970
Physical Description: 4 leaves, typescript, signed.
Robert Clogher, Editor,
Holy City Apocalypse, to The Editor,
Santa Cruz Sentinel
July 20, 1970
Physical Description: 5 leaves, typescript (photocopy).
Robert Clogher to Harry
July 26, 1970
Physical Description: 3 pages (1 leaf), typescript, signed.
Robert Clogher, Editor,
Holy City Apocalypse, to The Editor,
California Today
July 28, 1970
Physical Description: 4 leaves, typescript (carbon), signed.
Harry Plate to Bob Clogher
August 7, 1970
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript (carbon).
Robert Clogher, Editor,
Holy City Apocalypse, to Harry Plate
August 11, 1970
Physical Description: 6 leaves, typescript, signed.
Harry Plate to Bob Clogher
August 12, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (carbon).
Robert Clogher, Editor,
Holy City Apocalypse, to Harry Plate
August 19, 1970
Physical Description: 6 leaves, typescript, signed.
Harry Plate to Robert Clogher
August 19, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (carbon).
Robert Clogher to Harry Plate
August 17, 1970
Physical Description: 3 leaves, typescript, signed.
Lease, Brookdale Lodge
May 2, 1969
Physical Description: 4 leaves, typescript (photocopy).
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry
August 24, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Robert Clogher, Editor,
Holy City Apocalypse, to Max Frankel, Washington Bureau,
New York Times
August 24, 1970
Physical Description: 3 leaves, typescript.
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry [Plate]
August 25, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Cassie Sinclair, Santa Cruz, to Robert Clogher
August 13, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Harry Plate to Robert Clogher
August 27, 1970
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript (carbon).
Robert Clogher, Editor,
Holy City Apocalypse, to the Editor,
Santa Cruz Sentinel
August 26, 1970
Physical Description: 8 leaves, typescript (photocopy), initialed.
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry [Plate]
August 29, 1970
Physical Description: 3 leaves, typescript, signed.
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry [Plate]
August 31, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaves, typescript, signed.
box 1, folder 12
Clogher, Robert Alexander (1917-1984): Correspondence
September 1970 to March 1971
Robert Clogher to Harry [Plate]
September 5, 1970
Physical Description: 3 leaves, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
Copy for Harry Plate, “for his enlightenment.”
Robert Clogher to Irvin B. Fisher
September 5, 1970
Physical Description: 4 leaves, typescript.
Robert Clogher, Brookdale, to Wallace Turner,
New York Times
September 8, 1970
Physical Description: 6 leaves, typescript (carbon).
Scope and Content Note
Copy for Harry Plate.
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry [Plate]
September 18, 1970
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript.
Robert Clogher to Editor,
Women’s Wear Daily
September 18, 1970
Physical Description: 4 leaves, typescript (carbon), signed.
Robert Clogher to Harry Plate,
California Today
September 20, 1970
Physical Description: 7 leaves, typescript, signed.
Robert Clogher to Harry Plate,
California Today
September 20, 1970
Physical Description: 7 leaves, typescript (carbon), signed.
Scope and Content Note
“Copy to Hugh Van Dusen, with Harry’s imprimatur.”
Bob Clogher to Harry Plate
October 3, 1970
Physical Description: 5 leaves, typescript, signed.
Bob Clogher to Harry Plate
October 15, 1970
Physical Description: 5 leaves, typescript, signed.
Robert Clogher, Editor,
Holy City Apocalypse to the Editor,
Santa Cruz Sentinel
October 25, 1970
Physical Description: 5 leaves, typescript (carbon).
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry [Plate]
September 18, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Scope and Content Note
With note, Hallowe’en, 1970
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry [Plate]
October 31, 1970
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript (carbon), signed.
Robert Clogher,
Holy City Clarion, to Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, President,
New York Times
November 1, 1970
Physical Description: 10 leaves, typescript (carbon), signed.
Scope and Content Note
Sent as enclosure to Harry Plate, above.
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry [Plate]
November 30, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (carbon), signed.
“Little man, deputy minister of information, The Perfect Christian Divine Way, to Big Man, Deputy
Minister of Information, Black Panther Party"
November 29, 1970
Physical Description: 6 leaves, typescript (carbon), signed.
Scope and Content Note
CC: Associate Editor,
California Today, San Jose. Sent as enclosure with above.
Harry Plate to Bob Clogher
December 3, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (carbon).
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry [Plate]
December 9, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (carbon).
Bob [Robert Clogher] to Harry [Plate]
March 13, 1971
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (carbon), signed.
Bob Clogher to Bill Broom
March 13, 1971
Physical Description: 13 leaves, typescript (carbon).
Scope and Content Note
Copy for Harry Plate, enclosed with above.
box 1, folder 13
Fisher, Irwin Bryant (1881-1980)
Scope and Content Note
“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.
Letter, Harry Plate to I.B. Fisher
September 14, 1971
Physical Description: 1 leaf (carbon).
Letter, I. B. Fisher to Robert Couchman,
Mercury Herald, San Jose
February 1, 1928
Physical Description: 4 leaves, typescript (photocopy) signed.
Scope and Content Note
“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.
Christmas letter to Larry Auzene
November 6, 1968
Physical Description: 6 leaves, typescript (copy).
Scope and Content Note
Fisher’s religious interpretations.
Newsclipping [
San Jose Mercury?]
October 31, 1942
Physical Description: Photocopies.
Scope and Content Note
“Colony Carpenter Faces Murder Charge in Court.”
box 1, folder 14
Kidwell, Constance J.: Correspondence with Ted Bredt,
San Jose Mercury-News
1969-1970
Scope and Content Note
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
San Jose Mercury-News, but not published).
Constance, J. Kidwell (Mrs. Ralph)
Scope and Content Note
by Harry Plate of his April 13, 1970 interview.
Letter, Kidwell to Bredt
December 14, 1969
Physical Description: 3 leaves, typescript, signed.
Letter, Kidwell to Bredt
December 21, 1969
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Letter, Kidwell to Bredt
January 23, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Letter, Bredt to Kidwell
January 28, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed contract and copy.
Letter, Kidwell to Bredt
January 29, 1970
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript, signed.
Constance Kidwell, “The End of a Utopia,”
n.d. [1969]
Physical Description: 16 leaves.
Scope and Content Note
Manuscript of article submitted to
San Jose Mercury; note
editors questions regarding unsubstantiated accusations and statements.
box 1, folder 15
Riker, Ray Gifford (1911-1988)
Scope and Content Note
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.
Biography: Ray (Gifford) Riker.
Interview
February 13, 1970
Physical Description: 5 leaves, typescript transcript.
Interview
February 20, 1970
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript transcript.
box 1, folder 16
Stovall File Info: Materials provided by Wallace E. Stovall
Scope and Content Note
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.
Plate-Stovall Correspondence
Harry Plate to Wally Stovall, Church of the Divine Way, San Jose
June 23, 1970
Physical Description: 2 leaves, typescript (carbon).
Assembly Journal
April 6, 1961
Physical Description: pp. 2212-2213, photocopy.
Scope and Content Note
Enclosure with above. Includes letter from Robert Clogher re: Riker’s fraudulent transfer
of title to Kline.
Notes, Harry Plate
1970
Physical Description: 2 leaves, holograph.
W. E. Riker, San Francisco, to “My Dear Ones,”
September 26, [no year, ca.1919]
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (photocopy).
Scope and Content Note
“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.”
“Your leader” [W.E. Riker], Los Angeles, to “Hello Dear Ones,”
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (photocopy).
Scope and Content Note
“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.”
Lulu Stewart to Lucille [Riker]
August 10, 1928
Physical Description: 4 leaves, photocopy, envelope postmarked Los Angeles, September 11, 1928. With typescript
transcript, 1 page.
Scope and Content Note
“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…”
“Your loving daughter,” New Hotel Plaza, Newburgh, NY, to “Mother dearest”
n.d.
Physical Description: 2 leaves, holograph (photocopied), signed. With envelope (photocopy) addressed to Mrs. Lucille
Riker, Alma, California, postmarked Kansas City, MO, August 12, 1923.
Scope and Content Note
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 Fauk) to Ed (W. E. Riker)
October 1944
Physical Description: 1 leaf, holograph, signed. With envelope postmarked October 17, 1944.
Scope and Content Note
Agnes Riker (1876-1967) was Ed Riker’s younger sister.
Lucille [Riker], Holy City, to Mae [Schutrum Foster]
February 15, 1945
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (photocopy).
Card
Physical Description: 2 Photocopies.
Scope and Content Note
Good for One Reading: Prof. W. Riker, Hold Your Ticket, Good at Any Time.
[Mind reader’s cheat sheet]
Physical Description: Four copies of two pages each, slightly different.
Scope and Content Note
List of words to suggest object.
P. C. D. W. Disciple Book For Real Disciples of Final Law and Wisdom
n.d.
Physical Description: 15 leaves, typescript and photocopy.
Scope and Content Note
Includes letter from “The Leader” to “Dear Ones,” Palms [Calif.], October 20, 1920.
[List of principles?]
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (photocopy).
Scope and Content Note
Includes letter from “The Leader” to “Dear Ones,” Palms [Calif.], October 20, 1920.
[Questions]
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 leaf, typescript (photocopy).
Scope and Content Note
“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?”
P.C.D.W. Testimonials
Physical Description: photocopies.
Omaha
April 15, 1914
Scope and Content Note
“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.)
Minneapolis
July 25, 1914
Scope and Content Note
“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).
Minneapolis, Minn
August and September 1914
Scope and Content Note
“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.
San Francisco, California
Oct. 13, 1914
Scope and Content Note
“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)
San Francisco, Cal
October 1914
Scope and Content Note
“…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.
Los Angeles and San Francisco, Cal
September 20, 1918
Scope and Content Note
“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.
Petition
January 11, 1919
Physical Description: 1 leaf taped together, photocopy.
Scope and Content Note
To Dr. A. T. Hoisholt, Supt, Napa State Hospital, in re: Arthur Kastner. Signatures
include W.E. and Mrs. W.E. Riker).
[San Francisco?]
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
“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.
[Statement]
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
“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]
box 1, folder 17
Stovall File Info: Newsclippings
1913-1930
Scope and Content Note
Photocopies of Newsclippings, most unattributed and undated; see also Plate’s collection of
Mercury newsclippings,
folder 18.
“New Religion a Cure All ‘Stops All Aches, Pains’ Former Drummer is Leader.”
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
1913
Physical Description: 2 copies.
Scope and Content Note
With photo of W. E. Riker and Villon Riker.
“Listener in a Tilt with Street Talker: Takes Issue With Speaker’s Assertions, But Fails to Hold Up
Under Fire”
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
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.”
"‘Let Your Soul Absorb Your Body,’ Cult Says"
St. Louis Star
October [1913?]
Scope and Content Note
"'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.
“Cult ‘Murder’ Scene Described by Woman”
Scope and Content Note
Photos of Riker in “altar robes.”
“Woman Lays Murder to Riker”
San Francisco Chronicle
April 26, 1929.
Scope and Content Note
Re: Rosencrantz Accusation. Jump page, continuation from page one, column one, not available.
[headline unreadable]
San Francisco Chronicle
April 27? 1929
Physical Description: Front page, and jump page.
Scope and Content Note
“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.”
[headline unreadable]
May 3, year unknown
Physical Description: Front page, and jump page.
Scope and Content Note
Re: Fred Rosencrantz, alias C.A. Reid, injured while evading police (son of Evelyn Rosencranz,
herself awaiting trial in Oakland)
San Francisco Call-Bulletin
March 31, 1930.
Scope and Content Note
Photo and caption re: Five San Francisco dancers led by Estelle Reed.
[headline unreadable]
San Francisco Examiner or Call-Bulletin?
April 1929.
Scope and Content Note
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."
box 1, folder 18
San Jose Mercury: Newsclippings
1937-1970.
“War Veteran’s Widow Sues to Get Insurance: Santa Cruz Woman Says Husband’s Relatives ‘Disliked Her.’”
January 22, 1937.
Scope and Content Note
Re: Helen A. Long.
“Father Riker’s Philosophy, Inc. Files Articles”
March 23, 1937.
“‘Father’ Riker Enters Self in Governor Race”
December 17, 1937.
“Riker Changes Name of Party”
December 28, 1937.
“Half-Interest Deal: Holy City Sold, Going ‘Modern’”
September 18, 1956.
“Shopping Center for Holy City!”
September 18, 1956.
“Holy City ‘Faithful’ Carry On”
December 28, 1956.
“Dissent in the Mountains!”
January 9, 1957.
“Law Looks In at Holy City Discord”
January 10, 1957.
“Bypass …Holy City Figure …”
May 2, 1963.
Scope and Content Note
“The Brotherhood has shrunk to one.” (Winifred Allington).
“Father Riker of Holy City: Led Religious Cult”
December 4, 1969.
Scope and Content Note
Obituary.
“Famed ‘Father Riker’ of Holy City is Dead”
December 5, 1969.
Scope and Content Note
Obituary.
“Funeral S...” [Riker]
December 5, 1969.
“Father Riker, Hippies, and A Mobile Buddha; Holy City!”
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
By Gil Bailey.
“Holy City is a [ ]”
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
By Starr Perrin. Faint copy – magazine article.
box 1, folder 19
Watkins, Rev. Isaiah M.
Scope and Content Note
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).
Newsclip.
San Jose Mercury
April 15, 1970.
Business Card.
Scope and Content Note
Church of the Divine Way, Rev. Isaiah M. Watkins, DD.
Credit/character report
May 9, 1970.
box 1, folders 20-22
Riker: Flyers and Handouts
Scope and Content Note
Includes photocopies of posters and handouts from “Santa Clara County Museum."
box 1, folder 23
Additional Secondary Sources
Physical Description: Photocopies.
Richard A. Beal,
Highway 17: The Road to Santa Cruz
1991.
Scope and Content Note
“Holy City,” pp. 25-28.
Robert V. Hine,
California’s Utopian Colonies
1953.
Scope and Content Note
pp. 154-157.
Eugene T. Sawyer,
History of Santa Clara County California with Biographical
Sketches
1922.
Scope and Content Note
p. 1553.
Erwin G. Gudde,
California Place Names
1998.
Scope and Content Note
p. 168.
John V. Young,
Ghost Towns of the Santa Cruz Mountains
2002.
Photographs and Negatives
box 2, folder 1
Street scenes: Holy City, California
1930s-1950s
Scope and Content Note
See also
Folder 8, for Holy City 1920s (Stovall copy prints).
Holy City, Headquarters for the Worlds Perfect Government
ca. 1935
Physical Description: BW print, matte (4¾"x 7½”).
Scope and Content Note
“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].
Holy City, Information Booth
ca. 1935
Physical Description: BW print, matte (4¾"x 7½”).
Scope and Content Note
Sign: City Principle, All Mysteries Answered, open. White garage-like building.
Holy City, three buildings
ca. 1935
Physical Description: BW print, matte (4¾”x 7½”).
Scope and Content Note
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.
Holy City market
ca. 1935
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (4¾”x 7½”).
Scope and Content Note
Two story clapboard Market building. “Red and White,” with white “Made-Rite, San Jose, Cal.”
With truck, and slope back car.
William and Lucille Rikers’ house
ca. 1935
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (4¾”x 7½”).
Scope and Content Note
The Rikers’ house and garden, as seen from road below.
Holy City billboard
ca. 1935
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (4¾”x 7½”).
Scope and Content Note
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, with Riker in truck
ca. 1935
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (4¾”x 7½”).
Scope and Content Note
“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].
Holy City signs and headquarters
ca. 1950-1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (3½"x 5½”).
Scope and Content Note
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].
Closer view of Sign
ca. 1950-1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (3½"x 5½”).
Scope and Content Note
“The Whole Truth Right Here and at Holy City and Nowhere Else,” surrounded by wire fence.
Note post-war cars. (From scrapbook album).
Closer view of headquarters
ca. 1950-1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (3½"x 5½”).
Scope and Content Note
“The Comforter”, behind picket fence. Cars. (On same scrapbook album page as #9).
Riker and Cadillac
ca. 1950-1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (3½"x 5½”).
Scope and Content Note
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
ca. 1950-1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (3½"x 5½”).
Scope and Content Note
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 and van
ca. 1950-1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (3½"x 5½”).
Scope and Content Note
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).
Riker’s car
ca. 1950-1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (3½"x 5½”).
Scope and Content Note
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 statue
ca. 1954
Physical Description: 2 prints. BW, glossy (6"x 7¾”).
Scope and Content Note
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
ca. 1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (faded) (6"x 9¾”).
Scope and Content Note
Observatory telescope, with signs, gas station at right.
Santa Claus statues
ca. 1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (faded) (8"x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
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 churches
ca. 1954
Physical Description: BW print, glossy (faded) (8"x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
“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].
box 2, folder 2
William E. Riker (1873-1966)
ca. 1900-1929
William Riker portrait
ca.1900-05
Physical Description: BW copy print of [albumen] print cabinet card (3 1/8" x 5 3/8” on 3¼" x 5¾” card).
Scope and Content Note
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]
William Riker portrait
ca.1900-05
Physical Description: BW Copy print, glossy, (8"x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
Riker, with turban and beard.
William Riker portrait
ca.1900-05
Physical Description: BW Copy print of [albumen print cabinet card] (8"x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
Riker, bearded, in broad brimmed hat, frock coat, white waistcoat, black tie, standing. On
front: [-] Portrait Co., 11067 Market St., San Francisco.
William Riker portrait
ca.1900-05
Physical Description: Copy print, glossy (4"x 10").
William Riker portrait, seated
ca.1900-05
Physical Description: Copy print of hand colored portrait. (8"x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
Riker, bearded, in white waistcoat, and long black frock coat, seated in wicker chair. No hat.
William Riker portrait, standing
ca.1900-05
Physical Description: BW print (silver/sepia), (3 5/8" x 7 1/4”).
Scope and Content Note
Riker, standing with hand on chair. Three piece business suit, fore-in-hand tie, hat. Unknown
studio. Photo upper left corner damaged, print silvering.
William Riker portrait, standing
ca.1900-05
Physical Description: Copy print, 5"x 8¼”.
William Riker portrait
ca. 1913
Physical Description: Oval BW print (1 1/2" x 3 3/8”, set in 3"x 5¾” cabinet card).
Scope and Content Note
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 mind reading
ca. 1900
Physical Description: Albumen print (3½"x 3½”, on black card).
Scope and Content Note
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 mind reading
ca. 1900
Physical Description: Albumen print (3½"x 3½”, on gray card).
Scope and Content Note
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 mind reading
ca. 1900
Physical Description: Albumen print (3½"x 3½”, on gray card).
Scope and Content Note
Riker, in bowler hat and long coat, standing, with right hand to forehead of seated gentleman.
Signs and stall visible.
Riker mind reading
ca. 1900
Physical Description: Albumen print (3½"x 3½”, on gray card).
Scope and Content Note
Riker, in boater hat, with holding lady client’s right hand, both seated. Signs and stall
visible.
Riker and gentleman, at mind reading stall
ca. 1900
Physical Description: Albumen print (3½"x 3½”, on gray card).
Scope and Content Note
Riker, left, and unidentified gentleman in bowler hat, standing at Riker’s mind reading stall.
Copies of Riker mind reading photos
ca. 1900
Physical Description: 5 copies, glossy prints.
William E. Riker
1929
Physical Description: BW silver print (6" x 8”).
Scope and Content Note
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).”
box 2, folder 3
William E. Riker (1873-1966)
1942-1966
William E. Riker
1942
Physical Description: BW print (7½"x 6”).
Scope and Content Note
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 and Cadillac
ca. 1950
Physical Description: BW print (3½”x 6”).
Scope and Content Note
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 and Holy City Van
ca. 1950
Physical Description: BW print (3½”x 6”).
Scope and Content Note
Riker standing in back near loudspeakers. Parked in front of comfort station, Holy City.
Riker and van
ca. 1950
Physical Description: BW print (3½”x 6”).
Scope and Content Note
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 and van
ca. 1950
Physical Description: BW print (3½”x 6”).
Scope and Content Note
Riker, at back of van, right arm raised, with sign.
Riker and van
ca. 1950
Physical Description: Copy print (8”x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
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."
Copies of Riker and van photos
ca. 1950
Physical Description: 2 copies, glossy prints, 8"x 10".
Riker baptism
1966
Physical Description: BW print (5¾"x 5¾”).
Scope and Content Note
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]
Riker baptism
1966
Physical Description: BW print (3½"x 5¾”).
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Riker baptism
1966
Physical Description: BW print (3½"x 5¾”).
Scope and Content Note
On back: Fri Jul 29, 1966 San Jose Mercury. Riker anointed by Rev. Tomei.
Riker baptism
1966
Physical Description: BW print (3½"x 5¾”).
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Riker in sickbed
1957
Physical Description: BW print (3¾"x 4½").
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Riker with US Commissioner Marshall Hall
1942
Physical Description: BW print.
Scope and Content Note
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.”
Riker with US Commissioner Marshall Hall
1942
Physical Description: BW print.
Scope and Content Note
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.”
box 2, folder 4
William and Lucille Riker, and disciples
Riker and Fisher, PCDW House, Los Angeles
1917
Physical Description: BW print (8"x 10").
Scope and Content Note
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.
PCDW House [Hayes Street, San Francisco?]
ca. 1918
Physical Description: BW postcard.
Scope and Content Note
Perfect Christian Divine Way-World’s Greatest Philosophy. In front, left to right: [?]
Anderson, Ed Caulfield, William Riker. [Accessioned 05/07 #2007-30-9].
PCDW street speaking, San Francisco
ca. 1914-1919
Physical Description: BW postcard.
Scope and Content Note
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 portrait
ca. 1900-1905
Physical Description: Copy print, (8"x 10").
Scope and Content Note
Riker with hand on chair.
Riker, Fisher and Lucille, and class, San Francisco
1915
Physical Description: BW print (8”x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
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.
Irvin B. Fisher portrait
1970
Physical Description: BW print (8”x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
On front: Father, Irvin B. Fisher, Master Teacher, of the P.C.D.W. 1970.
Elsie Burch portrait
ca. 1915
Physical Description: BW copy print (8”x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
Seated; in white shirtwaist and tied scarf at collar, ca. 1918 from dress. On back: disciple
Elsie Burch, 1041 24 Ave SE Minneapolis, Minn.
Stephen Rozum
1954
Physical Description: BW copy print (8”x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
Standing beside back of Holy City Van
Unknown [Joe Albert? ]
n.d.
Physical Description: BW copy print (8”x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
Disciple, with “Holy City” white cap, attending grocery store
Unknown [Stephen Rozum? ]
n.d.
Physical Description: BW copy print (8”x 10”).
Scope and Content Note
In print shop, with green eye shade. Rozum was Holy City’s printer. Could be James Milton Wood.
box 2, folder 5
Lucille Riker and disciples, family
Lucille Riker and Winifred Allington
1939?
Physical Description: Color print, (7”x 9”).
Scope and Content Note
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.
Lucille Riker portrait
1939?
Physical Description: BW print (8"x 10"), 2 copies.
Scope and Content Note
Studio portrait by Hartsook, of Lucille, standing by chair, dressed in cloth crown, long gown,
and crucifix.
Lucille Riker portrait
ca. 1940
Physical Description: Sepia print (7”x 5”).
Scope and Content Note
Studio portrait, San Francisco?, head and shoulders, with large fur collar, natural pearl
necklace, and jeweled butterfly broach.
Lucille Riker portrait
ca. 1940
Physical Description: Copy print.
Scope and Content Note
Same sitting as above, but without fur collar.
Mr. [-] Jensen
n.d.
Physical Description: Portrait, copy print (8"x 10" glossy).
Scope and Content Note
On back: Lucille Riker’s father, copy of portrait by A. W. Neihart and Co., Elmwood, Cass Co.
Neb.
Mrs. [-] Jensen
n.d.
Physical Description: Portrait, copy print (8"x 10" glossy).
Scope and Content Note
On back: Lucille Riker’s mother, copy of portrait by A. W. Neihart and Co., Elmwood, Cass Co.
Neb.
Lucille and Mae Jensen
1899
Physical Description: Studio portrait (3 5/8" x 2 1/4", on 5¼" x 3½" card), 2 copies.
Scope and Content Note
On back: Lucille and Sister Mae, Aug. 14, ’99. Alexander Grossheim, Berlin Studio, Muscatine,
Iowa.
box 2, folder 6
William Riker, Bessie Zetty Riker, and Willis Riker
“Riker’s Son”
ca. 1914
Physical Description: BW print (8"x 10").
Scope and Content Note
Presumably Francis Villon Riker (Willis) born 1909. Boy about 4, studio prop back of train
car with sign “Leaving Minneapolis.”
Riker and Son
ca. 1911
Physical Description: BW print (8"x 10").
Scope and Content Note
Riker, seated, with boy (about 2) at his side, studio portrait. On back, “Riker and son”
Presumably Francis Villon Riker (aka Willis).
Bessie Zetty
n.d.
Physical Description: BW print (5¼"x 5¾”).
Scope and Content Note
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.
Bessie Zetty Riker
n.d.
Physical Description: BW print (8"x 10").
Scope and Content Note
On back: “Bessie Zetty Riker—second wife. Stovall [source].”
Bessie Zetty Riker
n.d.
Physical Description: Copy print (8"x 10").
Scope and Content Note
On back: “Bessie Zetty, Riker’s second wife. … [also] Bessie Zetta Riker. Stovall." Woman
near flowering bush.
Willis Riker and airplane
n.d.
Physical Description: BW print (7½" x 9 3/8”).
Scope and Content Note
Accession No. 2007-30-3.
[Willis?] and airplane
n.d.
Physical Description: BW print (3"x 5¼").
box 2, folder 7
Miscellaneous Holy City, and unidentified
Holy City headquarters
ca. 1950
Scope and Content Note
The "Mystery Spot."
Holy City
ca. 1939
Physical Description: BW Postcard (cut down on both ends).
Scope and Content Note
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.
William E. Riker
ca. 1910
Physical Description: 2 copies.
Scope and Content Note
In hat, copy of original print on wall or board.
Unidentified woman
ca. 1895
Physical Description: BW albumen image (3¾"x 5 3/8”) on cabinet card (6 3/8"x 4 1/8").
Scope and Content Note
Studio identification on card: Weber, Ogden, Utah. Written on back: “One of Ed’s Women."
Unidentified woman and child
ca. 1950
Physical Description: BW (5"x 3½”).
"Wild Cat Dew"
July 10, 1899
Physical Description: Albumen print (3 7/8"x 4”) on card (4¼"x 6½"). 2 copies.
Scope and Content Note
Identification from handwritten note on front.
box 2, folder 8
Holy City
ca. 1928
Scope and Content Note
Eight copy prints, on two proof sheets, made in 1970 from originals shown to Plate by Wallace E.
Stovall.
Proof sheet one
ca. 1928
Scope and Content Note
(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.
Proof sheet two
ca. 1928
Scope and Content Note
(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.
box 2, folder 9
Negatives
Scope and Content Note
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)
Mother, Be a Man
1945
Scope and Content Note
New York: The Exposition Press.
box 2, folder 11
Holy City Press publications
Scope and Content Note
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.
The Cause of Infantile Paralysis Explained; The Aura about his head,
symbolizes his various 100 per cent arguments and true solutions to all major and your concerned problems
n.d.
Physical Description: 12 p. Illus. (8 leaves, no separate cover).
Scope and Content Note
Holy City: Literature Department. Original price $1.00.
Christ Promised to Send the Comforter and He is now Among Us in Tangible Form
and Herein , He Speaks to You—Read Carefully
n.d.
Physical Description: [1], 8, [2] p. illus. (6 leaves, no separate cover).
Scope and Content Note
Holy City: Literature Department.
Copies of three very Important Letters That have been sent to some very
Important People in U.S.A. and Europe
[1952-1956]
Physical Description: 11 p. (6 leaves inside yellow paper cover; with proof marks).
Scope and Content Note
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.
Crime: Hickman and His Kind Discovered to Be Perfectly Innocent, if Society is
Innocent; A New Intelligence Introducing Itself in this New and Final Holy Age
1928
Physical Description: 16 p. illus. (8 leaves inside salmon colored paper cover).
Scope and Content Note
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.
The Great Jewish People; the Contents of this Book Will Be Accepted; there is
no Other Way Out!
n.d.
Physical Description: [3] 15 p. Illus. (10 leaves within yellow paper cover).
Scope and Content Note
Original price 25 cents.
Holy City Tells: How to overcome the last enemy; How to become a real
Christian and to Grow out of old age; How to become all-wise and go free
n.d.
Physical Description: 8 p. (4 leaves within yellow paper cover).
The Light of The World; True Solution Book…This World Is All Yours
[ca. 1948]
Physical Description: 19 p. Illus. (10 leaves within white paper cover).
Scope and Content Note
Original price $1.00.
Includes letter to Pres. Harry S. Truman.
A Message Direct from God to You: This is a Believe-It-Or-Not Book
1947
Physical Description: 12 p. (6 leaves within white cover).
Scope and Content Note
Holy City, CA: Literature Department
Includes “The New World,” poem by Lucille Riker.
The New World of Tomorrow Is Now Being Introduced and Is Soon to Become
Eternally Established
[1939?]
Physical Description: 10 p. Illus. (5 leaves, no separate cover).
Scope and Content Note
Includes “The Royal Family of God,” poem by Lucille Riker.
The Perfect Government; I Openly Challenge the World to Find a Flaw in My
Perfect System of Government; the Old World Ways Have Come to an End and the New World Ways are Now Being by
My coming
[1937?]
Physical Description: 32 p. Illus. (18 leaves, within cover).
Scope and Content Note
Original price 25 cents.
Cartoon has Riker bludgeoning EPIC, Marx, Isms, and Townsend
Plan.
This is…The Book of Books That Surely Sizzles with the Final Wisdom of GOD
n.d.
Physical Description: 12 p. (6 leaves within yellow cover).
Scope and Content Note
Holy City, CA: Literature Department.
This is the God Almighty’s Truth so Says the Comforter; Our Gentile White Race
Women are the Only Non-Conscious Ministers of Christianity Through Their Sanctity, Beauty and Inspiring
qualities, and Not any Priest or Preacher
n.d.
Physical Description: [8 p.]. Illus. (4 leaves, no separate cover).
Scope and Content Note
Holy City, CA: Holy City Literature Department.
The Two Great Men of God, Who are divinely functioning in a spiritual , wise
and Divine Wedlock as herein explained, that challenges and defies the Elite in this world
n.d.
Physical Description: 12p. Illus. (6 leaves, no separate cover). Some pages uncut.
Scope and Content Note
Holy City, CA: Holy City Literature Department.
Presents Father William E. Riker, the
Promised Comforter; and “King David Aaron, The New Jewish Messiah."
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done on This Earth as It Is in Heaven; So says
The Comforter, whom The Savior promised to send, (and is now among us in tangible form)
n.d.
Physical Description: [7 p.] Illus. (4 leaves, no separate cover).
Scope and Content Note
Holy City, CA: Literature Department.
The White Race is Supreme; Racial Education Based upon Spiritual, Scientific
fact and General Observation; a White Woman’s Soul Turns Black; the White Man’s Toleration is All to Blame
n.d.
Physical Description: 37 p. illus. (20 leaves, within yellow cover).
Scope and Content Note
Holy City, CA: Holy City Press. Original price 50 cents.
Oversize
Physical Description: 1 flat box.
box 3
Oversize account book
1929-1965
Scope and Content Note
Kept by E. Winifred Allington, early PCDW disciple and citizen of Holy City (1919-197?) and
post-mistress for Holy City from 1938 to 1953.
Appendices
Scope and Content Note
By Roxanne Nilan.
"The Whole Truth Right Here in Holy City"
