Obituaries: Arthur X Kahey, Sabine Parish K-000 Source: Sabine Index, Many, La., Nov 6, 1980 Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck carlrad@earthlink.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Arthur X Kahey Investigators from the Sabine Parish Sheriff's Dept. are continuing a probe into one of the most bizarre cases to be discovered in the area in a number of years, according to Sheriff Alfice Brumley. The investigation stems from the death of a 12 year old Florien boy, who appears to have been tortured to death by his stepfather and mother. Lodged in the parish jail as of press time, facing charges of child abuse and second degree murder, (without premeditation), is Vivian X Kahey, the alleged leader of the Black Muslim sect in central Louisiana. Kahey, 32, resides with his three wives and 12 other children in the Yellow Pine community near Florien. Charges were lodged against the black when he and two of his spouses brought Arthur X Kahey to Fraser Hospital South, Saturday evening, Nov. 1. The child was dead on arrival at the hospital. The child's real name is Arthur Armstead. Originally from Alexandria, his natural father's whereabouts is unknown. The child, who weighed a slight 45 lbs., showed evidence of bodily abuse, and the Sheriff's Dept. was immediately alerted. John Manasco, investigator for the Sabine Parish Coroner's Office, transported the body to Bossier City General Hospital for an autopsy by Dr. George McCormick. Preliminary reports indicate that the child died from extreme malnutrition. Also included in the coroner's report was the notation of blunt trauma, as a result of a blow to the abdomen, which resulted in the child's condition at death. It was reported that the child had rope burns on his hands, and fresh and old scars over many parts of his body. Sickened, the investigators began a probe which would eventually unearth facts leading up to the child's death. Heading the investigation is Deputy Investigator Kenny Masters. According to information gathered through interviews, and halting conversations with Kahey's wives, the Sheriff's Dept. has discovered that the child joined the Kahey clan several years ago, when the Muslim leader took another wife. According to information, the child couldn't conform to their way of life, and had been caught stealing food. The children are fed only twice daily. At night, young Kahey was allegedly tied to his bed by his hands and feet, so he could not get up and steal food. Believing the boy was evil and corrupt, the stepfather practiced strict discipline on him. Investigators discovered that the Muslims do not eat meat, and that just recently, the boy had been caught eating pork offered by a neighbor. When caught stealing food, more discipline was administered. After the investigation intensified, and investigators discovered there were 12 more children in the small wooden house in Yellow Pine, a visit was paid to the other family members. Investigators were not allowed to see the other children, and, in fact, had a hard time communicating with the women, who reportedly are not allowed to speak to another man without the presence of one of their own men. Running into a dead end, investigators gained the help of the La. Dept. of Health and Welfare. Social workers spent Monday afternoon in the Kahey home. Ground work is now being laid to protect the welfare of the other children in the home, who range in age from infancy to 13 years. According to Deputy Masters, charges are pending against the child's mother, Helen X Kahey, and other adult members of the family. Investigators noted that none of the children attend school. Educated at home, the children are expected to work and provide a living for the family. Young Arthur had reportedly been termed lazy by his stepfather, provoking further wrath of mental and physical abuse on his body. Late Monday afternoon, Kahey's clan arrived at the Sheriff's Dept., with food prepared. Kahey, who had been lodged in a cell by himself since Saturday night, had refused to eat food prepared in the jail. His first meal was Monday night. Dressed in habit type outfits, the women and children averted their eyes to those they came in contact with. The Muslim religion, founded by Muhammed Elijah in the racial upsets of the late 1950's and early 1960's, emphasized to the blacks that Christianity was a white man's religion, and that the white man was a devil. Muhammed Elijah began preaching a separatist faith to his followers, and began setting up his own mosques (churches). Followers began buying their own business, and would only trade among those strong in the faith. The religion stressed the importance of the blacks standing up for themselves, and leading moral lives. Muhammed Elijah's message was taken into the prisons, and this is where Malcolm X, who was a prisoner, became associated with the religion. He became a major spokesman for the religion, and traveled to Islam to better understand the doctrines. However, he discovered that the religion was not advocating on anti-white slogan or hate, but that it had been founded from the same root as Christianity and Judaism. Malcolm X came back to the states and told the followers of Muhammed that in order to be a true Muslim, that they couldn't believe the white men were devils. He was promptly kicked out of the faith, but continued to preach. Later, he was assassinated. Many in the Muslim faith practice polygamy (the taking of more than one wife), and they believe that man is the supreme being. In fact, the Muslims reject Jesus as their messiah, and believe that when the messiah comes, He will be born to a man, thus the custom of wearing long robes with large pockets. Women are inferior beings in the religion. Known as puritanical people, the Muslims are very high disciplined people, who reject all of the western culture. More conservative than the Black Panthers, the Black Muslims don't promote violence. The investigation is continuing as of press time.