The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-01
''EIijah III" Held by Judge TuIey to
Have Exerted Undue Influence
on Samuel Stevenson.
100000 IS DUE THE LATTER
BUT THE $4,000 GIVEN DOwIE'S SIS
TER CANNOT BE REPAID.
Case Described as a Curious Mixture
of Religion and Business
That Needs More Light.

CHICAGO, Jan. S1-Judge Tuley to-day
ordered a receivership for the Zion lace in
dustries and on Monday will enter a decree
bond of 100000.
The court, in lengthy decision of the
case, which was instituted by Samuel Stew
enson, a brother-in-law of John Alexander
Dowie, declared that Dowies church, the
Christian Catholic Church, a curious
mixture of religion and business. He held
that Stevenson had, by undue influence ex-
erted by Dowie as head of the church, been
led to turn over to Dowie practically every
thing he had in the world. and held that
Stevenson had invested at least 100000 with
Dowie. or in the lace industries, which, he
said, were practically the same thing.
The court directed that Attorney Reeves
file an amended bill in order that the stock
holders of the lace industries may be made
parties to the suit. The decision being
against the corporation, it is necessary that
the stockholders be present in court before
a decree can be entered. The position of
the stockholders, the court said, was not
plain. The evidence showed that they had
paid over 100000 for stock, but that the
transaction was Of such a character that
Dowie alone seemed to hold everything of
value.
Undue influence was the chief topic dis
cussed by the judge in his decision. Dowie,
he said, was unquestionably the superior OF
Stevenson, both in intellect and business
ability. Dowie, he declared, was a religious
zealot; Stevenson a follower. Stevenson,
like others in ''Zion," followed Dowie blind
ly. They believed him to be the agent of
the Almighty on earth destined to build up
cities of Zion in every country in the world
None was more influenced by the teachings
of the ''reincarnated Elijah than Steven.
son. 1t was the province of the court, he
said, to protect the weak against the
strong. 1t was not clear just 70 what cx-
tent Stevenson had suffered monetary loss
owing TO the peculiar agreements between
stockholders in the lace industries and
enson was entitled to 500 900. and also clear
that the $4,000 which Stevenson had turned
over to his wife (now dead), which the lat
ter had turned over TO Dowie. could not be
collected
''The case needs more light" said the
court. 81 have studied over it night and
day for a month, yet on many points | am
in the dark. There should be a further
hearing"
An amended bill and an amended answer
will be filed by the parties to the suit on
Monday when the decree appointing a re-
ceiver will be entered. Till then, by stipu-
latiOn, Dowie is prevented from disposing
or any more preferred STOCK. DOWfe will
pray an appeal. and Judge Tuley intimated
that il would be granted. owing to the pc
cuiar points of law involved and the pres
ence in the case of factors on which no law
seemed to bear.
In discussing the bond for the receiver
Attorney Packard, acting for Dowie. de-
clared that If the receiver was for all OF
DOwie's property he should require bond
of $l0000.0O0. The court explained that only
the lace industries were at present in
volved. and 500, 900 agreed on.
DIR" DOwie positively refused 10 say
anything about his plans. in view Of Judge
Tuley's decision, and instructed his LAWYERS
to say nothing for publication.