Who is Claude Green?

Intro
Claude Green (allegedly a graduate of Tuskeegee) was a former member of the Moorish Science Temple who was killed on Thursday night, March-21-1929 (See New Pittsburgh Courier of Sat, Mar 23, 1929 ·Page 10). He had recently quit the Moorish Science Temple and was working as the President of “The Chicago Boosters Civic Club”. He worked previously as the business manager of Chicago Temple No. 1, underneath the Prophet Drew Ali. Also as the “international treasurer of the cult” (See “Herald and Review” of Fri, Sep 27, 1929 ·Page 1).

The New Pittsburgh Courier reports that Claude Green had exposed Drew Ali of extra marital affairs with 3 women. The three women were Mary Lou (14), Christina (16) and Pearl (somewhere in her 20’s). It seems that Mary Lou married Prophet Drew Ali when she was just 12 years old (roughly 1927). Pearl seems to have also been married to the Prophet Drew Ali in 1927. Thus, in 1927, Prophet Drew Ali had at least 2 wives. In 1928-1929, Mary Lou became pregnant from the Prophet Drew Ali and the newspaper reported that she had no idea of any marriage paperwork, thus, she had been duped. The newspaper then says that Prophet Drew Ali was guilty of statutory rape. The 3rd woman, Christina, 16, admitted that she had worked as his secretary, but protested that there had been nothing wrong in their relationship. She lived with Mary Lou, and slept with her, except when the prophet was around. Pearl, it has, been hinted, was taken away from the prophet, although at one time he is said to have lived in a two-flat building, with Mary Lou in one flat and Pearl in the other (See New Pittsburgh Courier of Sat, Mar 23, 1929 ·Page 10).

Green’s murder was one of the most atrocious ever committed on the Southside. He was shot three times and stabbed in various parts of his body, one plunge of the knife partly disemboweling him. The slaying took place at the Unity clubhouse, 3140 Indiana avenue, of which Green was” custodian. The clubhouse owned by interests associated with Samuel Insull, the utilities magnate. Shortly before 8:00 o’clock, persons in the building startled by three shots on the second floor of the building (See New Pittsburgh Courier of Sat, Mar 23, 1929 ·Page 10).

Clarke Ellis and Arthur Scott went to investigate and found Green lying in the hallway with his legs, up to the knee, under him. He was bleeding freely from the neck. A few minutes prior to the shooting, Green had come out of his office on the first floor and asked several men, alleged members of the Moorish Science Temple, which held its meetings in the building, to come out of the hall into his office so that they would not become confused with guests who would soon be coming to a dance that was to be held in the basement. Sam Jackson, one of the men in the ball at the time, stated at the coroner’s inquest, presided over by Deputy E. M (See New Pittsburgh Courier of Sat, Mar 23, 1929 ·Page 10).

Sam Jackson was one of the men who left the room, Scott declared. Mrs. Claude Green, the dead man’s wife, pointed out Noble Drew Ali from among the suspects gathered whom by she the police believed as one had of the men something to do with the murder of her husband. She testified that he had told her somewhat indirectly of trouble he expected from certain members of the Moorish Temple. Green is said to have resigned from the cult after there was some misunderstanding regarding the collection of moneys from the chaptors throughout the country.

But opinion was divided as the coroner’s inquest continued as to whether a motive for the murder might be found in this disagreement or the alleged association of Green with the prophet’s wife, Pearl. The prophet’s true name is Timothy Drew. In 1915 he was accompanying a Hindu fakir in circus when he decided to start a little order of his own. The first temple was set up in Norfolk, Va:, but the exactions of the law were such there that it was necessary to move and he went to Newark, N. J.

New Jersey law soon found the affairs of the order entangled and it was decided to come west. The first temple in Chicago was set up in 1925. Here the organization has prospered, numbering 2,100 persons in its membership. With Chicago as a headquarters, a score of temples have been set up throughout the country. In Detroit Wednesday, two patrolmen and two members of the Moorish Science Temple were shot in the lodge room in a gun battle of after a dispute over the leadership men the order.

what Five hundred policequelled they thought was going to be a riot. Green, the murdered man, would have been 46 years old Friday. He Was a graduate of Tuskegee. His wife testified that he left $3,000 in life insurance, but that he had no bank account, stocks or bonds, and no real estate. She was represented the inquest by Attorney George Blackwell.

Lou Deputy Cleaves ordered that Mary and her mother, and Christina, be held pending the outcome of the inquest_ which was continued until March 29.

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1929
March

In March-1929, (See New Pittsburgh Courier of Sat, Mar 23, 1929 ·Page 10), the murder of Claude Green is mentioned as well as the fact that he was the former supreme business manager of the Moorish Science Temple and was currently working as the President of the “Chicago Boosters’ Civic Club”. The newspaper reports that Claude Green had exposed Drew Ali of extra marital affairs with 3 women. Noble Drew Ali died just 4 months later on July 20-1929.

Scans

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3 WOMEN NAMED INCASE Slaying Of Claude Green Opens Gap In Sealed Love Mysteries Of Drew Ali. CHICAGO, Mar. 21.-(A. N. -A coroner’s inquest into the murder Thursday night of Claude Green, president of the Chicago Boosters’ Civic Club and former supreme business manager of the ° Moorish Science Temple, brought to light the highlycharged love affairs of the leader of the cult, known as the Prophet Drew Ali.

The names of three women were with that of the prophet -Mary linked in a more than ordinary, way Lou, Christina, Pearl, somewhere in her twenties. To two of these girls, Mary Lou and Pearl, the prophet was supposed to have been married, but when Mary Lou, married to the Moorish leader at the age of 12, admitted that the ceremony had been according to the Koran and that she had not known of the existence of any legal papers, it was construed that the prophet had pat one over on this expectant mother, and that, according to the laws of Illinois, he was guilty of statutory rape. Christina, 16, admitted that she had worked as his secretary, but protested that there had been nothing wrong in their relationship. She lived with Mary Lou, and slept with her, except when the prophet was around. Pearl, it has, been hinted, was taken away from the prophet, although at one time he is said to have lived in a two-flat building, with Mary Lou in one flat and Pearl in the other.

Cleaves, that there was no argument, but that Green insisted that they act right out of respect for their race. Several of the men shortly left the room, one of them backing out of the door with his hand in his pocket and his eye. fastened on Arthur Scott’s, Green’s assistant. This man’s name was Johnson. It was Scott’s belief, expressed at the inquest, that Johnson was one of the murderers.

Lou Deputy Cleaves ordered that Mary and her mother, and Christina, be held pending the outcome of the inquest_ which was continued until March 29. WELLSVILLE, OHIO Sister City, No. 28. Court of Ca• eighth lanthe, will anniversary celebrate their twentythe on •March 28 at will K. be of P.

rendered. hall. A musical program Chicken dinner, 50 cents a plate. Norman Lyons, little son of Mr. and Mrs.

Allen ill with pneumonia. Henry Lyons, is is Mrs. confined Olivia to Payne his bed with pneumonia Williams ly. Mrs. Kerr of Akron visited Mra.

is improving slowMyrtle Lewis. Mrs. Charlie Bush is ill at her home. Mrs. Ella Clark ill.

Rev. Gordon- visited Youngs- is very town the early part of this week on business and visited his sons. Mrs. Anna Rollin Bell Robinson died in Akron. 111.

Mrs. Willie Kays was -paintully injured. Mrs. Lucille East Porter entertained Ward No. 3 of Liverpool.

Mrs. Anderson en• tertained Odis the Daisy club at her home. Mrs. Huff will visit Irondale..
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1929
Sep
Herald and Review
Fri, Sep 27, 1929 ·Page 1

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