Excellent research everyone. Here is some more information that might prove helpful. The following quotes are taken from the Moyle transcripts. Bonnie Boyd Heath is being questioned by Moyle's attorney, Walter Bruchhausen about the residents on the 7th floor at the 124 building during the years 1935-1939 and also about Mrs. Peal. See pages1380-1382.
Q: So only you, and your mother and Mr. Rutherford were up there during those four years?
Bonnie: That is right.
Q: During that time that I have just referred to, Mr. Rutherford traveled considerably, didn't he?
Bonnie: Yes, he did.
Q: And you went along with him?
Bonnie: Yes, sir.
Q: You and your mother?
Bonnie: Yes; and others.
Q: Who were the others?
Bonnie: Well, there was Mr. Keller, and Mrs. Peal and several others--Mr Diderian, Mr. Howlett.
Q: When did Mrs. Peal first come to Bethel?
Bonnie: 1938.
Q: She is the dietician that you referred to?
Bonnie: Yes, and my personal friend.
Q: Where did she come from?
Bonnie: Ohio.
Q: Had she been a dietician out there?
Bonnie: Oh, yes.
Q: Working with whom?
Bonnie: She wasn't working.
Q: How long before that had she been a dietician?
Bonnie: I couldn't tell you, sir.
Q: Had you visited her out there?
Bonnie: Yes.
Q: Mr. Rutherford, also?
Bonnie: No, I don't think he knew her before she came to Bethel.
Q: You introduced her to Mr. Rutherford?
Bonnie: Well, I asked him if he would bring her there.
I won't make any editorial comments on the above, but let everyone form their own conclusions. However, in re-reading the transcripts I got the feeling that Bonnie was squirming in the witness chair when asked about Mrs. Peal.
On page 1367 Bonnie was asked: "And where is your mother located now?"
Bonnie: "My mother is home in Texas."
Judging from Bonnie's answer, in 1943 she and her mother must have considered Texas home. Unfortunately the transcripts don't reveal whether Bonnie and her mother were residing in Texas in 1923 when they were called to Bethel. But if they had left Iowa and in 1923 were residents of Texas, that could explain a Balko connection.
The following is found on page 1259 of the transcripts and William Heath is being questioned by Hayden Covington, the Watch Tower attorney.
Q: You are one of the defendants in this action, are you not?
Heath: Yes.
Q: How long have you been one of Jehovah's Witnesses?
Heath: Since 1932.
Q: And your mother is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, is she?
Heath: Yes, she is.
Q: How long has she been one of Jehovah's Witnesses?
Heath: Since about 1915.
Q: Did you know Judge Rutherford during his lifetime?
Heath: Yes, I did.
Q: How long were you acquainted with him?
Heath: I first became acquainted with him about 1934.
On pages 1294-1295 Heath is cross examined by Moyle's attorney.
Q: Where did you come from before you took up your residence in Bethel?
Heath: Georgia.
Q: And what year did you leave Georgia?
Heath: Well, I left it the first time, I believe, about 1922. Then I was there again before I came to Bethel.
Q: What employments did you have before you went to Bethel?
Heath: I worked as a salesman.
Q: Selling what?
Heath: Coca-Cola.
Q: Did you become a minister?
Heath: Yes.
Q: When?
Heath: In 1932.
Q: How long did you study to become a minister?
Heath: I had studied seven or eight years.
Q: At the Watch Tower classes?
Heath: No, not classes. I had the books and the Bible, and I studied both.
Q: Did you belong to an organized church before you became a Jehovah?
Heath: No.
Q: No church at all?
Heath: I wasn't a member of one. I had attended a good many.
Unfortunately Heath doesn't give much information about his where-abouts during the years of his first marriage. But if his memory was correct he was in Georgia part of 1937, the year he left for Bethel. I hope that this information will prove helpful.
