8. July 09, The Story of Brother XII on De Courcy Island

De Courcy Island, where I am presently moored, harboured one of BC's more dubious characters.
Mr Albert Edward Wilson, better known as Brother XII, was born in England around 1900 or earlier. He was slim, pale eyed and had a pointy nose, whose tip was graced by a wart. His appearance must have made him singularily attractive, specifically to wealthy and - so it is said - intelligent people.
He claimed to be the 'Twelfth Master of Wisdom' in the line of Divine Masters from another world. He was destined to teach his followers the ancient mysteries of Egypt, as well as usher in a New Age.
To give you an idea, here is a quote of Brother XII 'Three Truths':
"I am the Messenger of the Fire, the Messenger of the Whirlwind, the Messenger of the Day of Adjustment. The fire burneth but dross, that the silver and the gold may remain. By the wind ye shall mount to the heavens - if ye be the children of discernment."
With that balderdash he convinced a wealthy British lady to give him a yacht, with which Brother XII sailed to British Columbia in 1927 to found his Aquarian Foundation. He did a stint a baggage porter in Victoria, before his brethrens, soon increasing to 8000, showered him with money. How he accomplished that, is beyond comprehension. With the proceeds he purchased various properties, including de Courcy Islands. Here he built a settlement, houses, gun fortifications, rock shelters, the whole thing. Pirate's Cove, De Courcy's natural harbour, was aptly named Gospel Cove, or the Haven.
Good old Brother XII converted the donations of his followers, some giving entire life savings, into gold coins, sealed them into glass jars, and placed them into cedar chests.
He collected a number of wives, some absconded from their legal husbands. Brother XII conveniently exchanged the wife of the day to newer versions during his fundraising travels back to Britain. He gathered an amazing lot of support from professionals, socialites, business executives, and the British Aristrocacy.
Apart from being a con artist of incomparable talent, he also was a brutal sadist. He beat his followers here on the island, when they disagreed with his edicts, drove one of his wives insane when she produced a girl instead of a new male Messiah, and dumped another one onto a remote island beach. This one was one of the lucky 700 escapees from his reign of terror. His devotees seemed to tolerate abusive treatment from their pious leader.
His last lady love, dubbed 'Madam Zee', also from Britain, fit him perfectly: she kept his flock in line with a bullwhip.
Some of the escapees brought things to a head, and Brother XII and Zee finished up in court around 1930, accused of misuse of funds, adultery and attempted murder through witchcraft.
The trial was a fiasco, somewhat due to some fanatic supporters defending him faithfully. However, his foundation was shut down by local authorities shortly afterward. Before anyone could reclaim their monies - or lands - Brother and Zee took off in the Cult's boat. Apparently some of the disenchanted had threatened him with death.
Brother XII changed his name to Amiel de Valdez (very original, the next island to the east is called Valdez) and is said to have fled to Switzerland, where he changed his name again to Julian Skottowe. That's where he finally expired.
His sealed glass jars filled with gold coins probably sailed with him, but some romantics believe that they still may be buried on the Island or submerged somewhere in the numerous reefs around it.
He was a man who claimed to have visions and mystical powers.
He may not have had the spiritual kind, but his vision of getting rich certainly were fulfilled by mystical powers.