Daniel Atwood

Daniel Atwood is a healer originally from Lake City, Florida. At one time, he employed David Jones—son of Thea Jones, a well-known faith-healer who owns the Metropolitan Theater in Philadelphia—as his “front man.” They constituted one of the more entertaining pairs in the business. In 1974, they were in the small town of Waycross, Georgia, for a week of healing shows. It turned out to be a mostly black crowd that attended, and because the two operators were white, they asked their black organist, Bill Williamson, to mix with the crowd and casually obtain pertinent information—such as names and ailments—from individuals who were there to be healed. Bill refused, wanting no part of such a scheme. He watched from the sidelines as the pair talked one woman out of $500 and made arrangements to meet her after the service on the last evening of the show to get more. But the mayor, the police chief, and a local judge were there when the pair showed up, and they arrested them both. The judge said that he had been at the service every night that week and that he had observed how Atwood and Jones had “manipulated people.” He said they had been “taking all our niggers’ money,” and that he—the judge—would find those swindled people up before him in court soon for not being able to pay their utility and tax bills. The chief of police, Williamson said, told them that he’d be happy to see them “make a move” so he could take a shot at them. The message was very plain indeed, and the latest victim’s money was quickly refunded on the spot as the officials watched with satisfaction. But the pair of rogues didn’t want any of their other visible assets seized to repay other complainants, so they told Williamson to sneak out the back and drive their customized Eldorado to the next town, where they’d meet him. He did, and they were never seen in Waycross again. Jones, a notorious drug abuser, died a few years ago. Atwood is making a comeback as an associate of the unsinkable Reverend Leroy Jenkins, who hauled him aboard the ever-leaky but still floating Jenkins ferryboat.

David Epley

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, out of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Pastor David Epley got started in St. Louis, where I am told he still has a substantial church. The act he offers is very much like that of W. V. Grant, though his mailing pieces are rather juvenile compared with others of similar status. The wording appears to be almost identical to that of begging letters sent out by New York’s Reverend Ike, from whom Epley might be borrowing ideas. He appears to pop on and off television, perhaps having difficulty paying for the air time. In 1986, Epley voiced his bewilderment during one of his television shows that “Randi the magician” had not come to witness his wonders. Accordingly, I sent him this letter by certified mail on August 19, 1986:I have taken some time to get around to examining your claims, since those I have already investigated were “passing through” and were therefore handled sooner. However, since you publicly mentioned me in your last broadcast, I can consider that a “throwing down of the gauntlet” which officially opens the investigation and signifies your acceptance of my challenge. Accordingly, I will offer you the same challenge offered to Peter Popoff. I told him that I would accept evidence from an independent, medically qualified panel that would examine any five of his cases and declare that they received healing as a result of his ministrations. I told Popoff further “You have now announced that you will soon present personal testimonials from selected individuals. If you should choose to present on your television program, as further evidence, video interviews with persons who have received healing through your ministry, any proper evaluation of that evidence would require that you supply us with the names and addresses of each person so interviewed. It would also be proper that we receive all names and addresses of those with whom you conduct those interviews, whether they are selected to appear on the program, or not.” I will await your response to this challenge. Should you be able to meet the simple conditions of this test, I will present you with my check for $10,000. I will also declare in writing and in person that I believe you have the direct anointing from God to be able to bring divine healing to people. A further point: Since we are bound to be very careful and specific about details of all statements pertaining to this matter, I must point out to you the error in your statement during the recent broadcast. You have brought up the old chestnut about “there can be no counterfeit if there is no genuine item.” That is not true. Anyone can print a counterfeit American three-dollar bill. It will be obviously counterfeit, but that does not mean that there ever was in actuality a genuine three-dollar bill. Pastor Epley, to prove that you are not a three-dollar bill, I suggest that you provide proof of your ability to bring divine healing to those in your ministry. And, as I also informed Peter Popoff, “I can assure you that I am a tenacious and determined investigator. I will not abandon my inquiries until this matter is settled satisfactorily.” Since you have accepted my challenge to witness your claims, please take this challenge seriously.

This letter was sent, frankly, because a Florida newspaper had heard Epley refer to me and asked me why I did not take him up on his challenge. After I sent this letter, none of the newspapers followed up on the matter, for reasons only they can know. I suspect that they were cowed by Epley’s religious stance. Epley is a very small fish in this very large pond. But you should know this: In 1986, the Reverend Epley underwent surgery for a brain tumor. He visited a regular hospital, had regular anesthesia, and recovered in the normal way. It was a process he would not have recommended for his congregation.