THE DETROIT NEWS

Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

27 January 1922

WOMAN BACKED ‘EQUINOX’ SALE.

Mrs. Ryerson Testifies

She Bought Notes of O.T.O. Author.

Mrs. Bertha Bruce Ryerson, called to the witness stand today to testify in the bankruptcy proceedings against the Universal Book Stores, Inc., of which her husband is president, admitted that she had been the financial “angel” of the concern, buying up notes and taking furniture in part payment.

Albert W. Ryerson, the husband, was quizzed by Grover L. Morden, attorney for the creditors, in efforts to show that money received for the corporation had been placed to his personal account; in specific, the sum of $1,550 which he obtained from his wife. Ryerson said it didn’t matter whether he had placed the money to his own account or not, as he owned 85 per cent of the stock of the corporation.

CASE POSTPONED.

Today’s hearing closed without further mention of the O.T.O. cult and its scriptures. the Equinox, written by Aleister Crowley, which have figured rather sensationally in the hearings. The case was postponed, the date of the next hearing being not yet determined.

Mrs. Ryerson was a tart witness. She was asked by Mr. Morden when she was married.

“None of your business,” she retorted.

Persuaded by the court to give a better answer, she said, “I can’t remember. It was a while ago. About two years back.”

 “It was on Dec. 31, 1919,” Mr. Ryerson prompted.

“That could possibly be the date,” said his wife.

“By whom were you married?”

“I can’t remember.”

CROWLEY A GUEST.

Mrs. Ryerson said that at the time of her marriage she was living at her own home, 381 West Grand Boulevard, and that Crowley, author of the Equinox, was her guest there. She said she had bought some of Crowley’s notes, having a face value of $1,000, for which she paid $950. The notes were signed by the Universal Book Stores, Inc., for money due Crowley for his writing. She also bought 31 notes from her husband, for $1,550, because she wanted to help the company out.

She finally got payment on these notes, Mrs. Ryerson said, accepting furniture, valued at $750, including a piano, an adding machine, a cash register and some chairs. Ryerson also turned over to her his salary, $50 a week, from the Universal Book Stores, Inc.

Ryerson admitted, on examination, that he had sold a book re-binding plant to the corporation for $5,000. He had bought this for $2,000 worth of stock in an Eastern corporation and a note for $400. Moving charges made up the balance, he said.