Page 7 - 1a. Master Informed Choices Guide 2017 American English version. edited_Neat

(Free to all American & Canadian Students over the age of sixteen years.)

Either by a stroke of luck or perhaps the principal of the devil looking after his own, Matthias
has outmaneuvered Benjamin yet again; he has returned the $25.00 back to Isabella
(Sojournertruth) after she refused to accept part of the gold and silver directly from Benjamin!
Matthias is now holding all the gold and silver from Benjamin, he is either determined to move
forward with the original revised plan to find a farmhouse, or he is completely on his own, on
the run from the Folgers, Isabella, and Catherine. In one report we read. ‘It was very well that
Isabella did not take charge of this gold, for no sooner was Matthias and Isabella gone,
than Mr. Folger raised reports, not only of her having poisoned his family, but excited
suspicion that he had been robbed' (Ref; H95)
With the law enforcement officers on his trail, the charges against Matthias are serious as he
along with Isabella must answer to the pending allegations. These charges are stoked and
fuelled into newspaper frenzy due to the investigations into the mysterious death of the late Mr.
Pierson only weeks previous! On top of this, they also are accused of stealing gold and silver
from the Folgers. In the American Advocate dated Wednesday, October 8th, 1834 we read.
‘The express charge against him was, that he had left New York having in his possession
a large amount of Mr. Folger's property; but he has been guilty, it is asserted of many
other mal-practices, some of them of the blackest character, and worthy of the most
severe punishment.' (Ref; 254)

The point of study or debate:

5. Regarding the coffee served to all the Folger family before the final day together.
Why is it important to consider all the events surrounding this coffee story?
Do you think it could it be possible to prove either the innocence or the guilt around the claimed
poisoning of the Folger family by examining all the known recorded facts?
Why do you think Sojournertruth considered and observed that the curse of God was on that
house?’

6. Why do you think that Benjamin Folger recanted and wanted to drop all the charges against
Sojournertruth and Matthias? (n/b This appears to be a simple answer, however for a full
understanding and explanation several chapters towards the end of the book will help students
and careful readers contemplate and evaluate all the available evidence)

Please remember all newspaper and historical documents are presented in their original
format in bold and blueprint, with no corrections for spelling or grammar. All sections
submitted for consideration are presented inside black outlined text boxes