Joshua Jehovah Sykes

News Articles

JOSH SYKES - BUNCO MAN

Leader of the Sect of 'House of David' Makes Followers Believe End of World Is Near -- Now Rests in Denver Jail.

Denver, Dec. 29.--Joshua "Jehovah" Sykes, self-crowned king of heaven and earth and leader of the sect of the House of David, was removed from his sanctuary here this afternoon and put in a cell at the city jail. A woman went his bond.

Sykes was arrested on a charge of operating a confidence game, the information on which the warrant wass drawn specifically alleging that he defrauded Ernest Lampert, a former member of his flock, out of $150. Lampert declared that "Jehovah" Sykes had persuaded him that the world was about to end, that he would have no further use for worldly goods, and that he had given him all his earthly possessions. Lampert alleges he did this on September 15, this year.

Sykes spent three hours at police headquarters. He was then released on $300 bonds furnished by Laura E. Randall, a member of his flock.

His wife, who is estranged from him after twenty-seven years of marriage, had no comment to make on his arrest. Earlier in the day she was quoted as saying: "Even at the time I married King Joshua, he was said to be posessed of a wandering eye and an uncontrolled foot."

The information which brot about Sykes arrest mentioned the name of Anna Spijchiger, who is was alleged was fleeced out of $1,000 by him in California a year ago.

Sykes is of 61 years of age.

Carbonate (CO) Chronicle, 1/3/1921

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"QUEEN OF HEAVEN" SUED

Alienation of Affections of "Jehovah" Sykes Is Charged.

Denver, Feb. 11--Marie Friede, appointed queen of heaven by Joshua Jehovah Sykes, head of the Tabernacle of David here, was notified today that Mrs. Emma Sykes, wife of Joshua, was bringing suit against her for $50,000 for alleged alienation of the affections of Sykes.

Sykes has been sentenced to the federal penitentiary for alleged violations of the espionage act during the war. He formerly had a tabernacle in Oakland, Cal.

Mrs. Sykes' complaint states that she and Joshua Sykes were married in 1893, but that Mrs. Friede, who is a widow, has obtained "undue influence and control," and has completely alienated Syke's affections from his wife.

Followers of Sykes say he plans to leave Mrs. Friede in charge of the tabernacle while he serves his term in the penitentiary.

Morning Oregonian, 2/12/1921

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SELF STYLED KING OF THE HEAVEN HAS BEEN EXONERATED

Denver, Colo., Feb.1 5.--Joseph Jehova Sykes, self-styled king of heaven and earth and head of the tabernacle of David, was exonerated from charges of contributing to the delinquency of two girls in Juvenile Judge Ben B. Lindsay's court here yesterday.

Grand Forks (ND) Herald, 2/15/1921

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CULT HEAD AWAITS ENDING OF WORLD

JEHOVAH SYKES OF DENVER SAYS HE HAD VISION

Upheaval Predicted for Saturday Night--Harding Will Not Be Inaugurated, Voice Whispers.

DENVER, Col., Feb 16.--Joshua "Jehovah" Sykes, scheduled to begin a prison term on the Pacific coast next Tuesday, tonight gathered with his followers in the temple of the religious sect of which he is head, awaiting the end of the world.

He announced he had returned to Denver following a vision. He said he heard a whispering voice saying that Warren G. Harding would not be inaugurated March 4, because the world would come to an end before that time.

As king of heaven, said Sykes, the voice told him it was his duty to return to Denver and remain with his flock at the finish.

Sykes left Thursday for San Francisco to surrender to United States officers to serve 18 months for draft obstruction during the war. When he reached Cheyenne he had a vision, he says, revealing to him that the end of the world would come before Senator Harding is inaugurated president, and he returned to Denver to prepare the faithful for the millennium.

Tonight none but "believers" were admitted to the former theater which Sykes has turned into his temple. "We are preparing for the finish, we cannot be disturbed, a guard at the door told reporters.

"Ye all have been warned of this by Jehovah," the guard said "but ye heeded not the word of the almighty, now ye will have to suffer with the rest of the damned, for Jehovah is about to be crowned in glory and the anointed of his faith will be chosen people in the next world."

This is not the first time that Sykes has predicted the end of the world. He predicted an end last summer, and many of his followers quit their jobs, sold their property and went to the temple to await the end. Later the poverty of some of the members caused charges to be brought in juvenile court against Sykes for juvenile delinquency. It was charged that children of the members were improperly fed and clothed. Later the charges were dismissed.

The Sunday Oregonian, 2/27/1921

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Queen of Sykes' Heaven Goes to Insane Ward; Jail Yawns for Joshua

DENVER, COLO., March 4.--Following filing of lunacy proceedings in the county court here today Marie Frede, so-called "Queen of Heaven" in the sect of which Joshua Jehovah Sykes is head, was taken into custody by the sheriff and placed in the insane ward at the county hospital.

The lunacy proceedings were brought by the Denver police department. According to the petition presented in court, the proceedings are intended to prevent her from dissipating her fortune of $150,000. She is alleged to be "so unsound and distracted in her mind" that she is unable to manage her affairs. Marie spent large sums supporting the religious organization of which Sykes is head.

Sykes, who is under sentence to the penitentiary for obstructing the selective draft, has publicly announced that he has set aside his own wife for Marie Frede, whom he describes as his "spiritual consort."

Sacramento (CA) Union, 3/5/1921