Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-12-05
RECEIVERS NAMED
FOR ZION CITY
Bankruptcy Proceedings Against John
Alexander DoWie.
HIS VENTURES Do NOT PAY

Chicago, Dec. Financial didicuI-
ties v aich began during the crusade
OF John Alexander Dowie, the self
styled "Eh.ah III" and his restoration
host to New York month ago, and
which have been rapidly increasing
since Dowie's return. eliminated in
the federal court taking possession
of all the property controlled by Dowie
in Zion City. III. This town. which
was founded two years ago by Dowie.
has population OF over 10000, is the
general headquarters for Dowie's
church. ana is said to represent an
expenditure of S20.000.o00
Fred N. Blcunt. cashier OF the Chi
cago National Bank. and Albert ID.
Currier law partner Of Congress
man Eoute'i. were appointed receiv-
ers OF the property. Their bonds were
fixed IT 100000 by Judge Kohlsaat. of
the United States district court. who
made the appointment or the petition
of several creditors. The receivers
left fer Zion City to take possession Of
the property.
y
Dowie were based on the allegation
that he IS insolvcBt, and that while
in this financial condition he commit
ted an act OF bankruptcy BY making
preferential payment. on November ..
TO the j.. Streetor Lumber Company
FOR S377o. powie has been hard
pressed by his creditors. cspecially
since il was announced that his re.
cent mission to New York had proved
unsuccessful financially.
Gowie is known To have accumulate
Cd n large sum as Tire basd of tie
Christian Catholic Church, the assets
of the organization being estimated at
between S2c.o00.0O0 and $4,000. GOO.
There was a large outlay OF money.
however. when Zion City was started.
Then lace and candy industries were
started, ana as both OF these ventures
have never been a paying investment.
great deal more money was tied up.
Dowie's differences with his brother
in-law, Stevenson, over the manage
ment Of the lace factory cost more
than SlC000G, and other suits recently
begun in Lake county by creditors are
said to aggregate a large sum.
Attorney Ettleson, representing the
petitioning creditors, in his arguments
before Judge Kohlsaat, said:
'The creditors whom / represent
have reason to believe that DIR. Dowle
is insolvent. Judgments have been
accommodating against him for several
weeks past, and there was every indi-
tn, Io. -
gregation could not pay his debts. In
such crisis, the creditors sought pro-
lection for their interests in the bank
ruptcy court. 1t is impossible TO es-
innate the liabilities or assets of DR..
Dowie. lions affairs are complicated.
and it will take several weeks, | be-
lieve, before any idea of Dowie's
finances can be had"
Last Wednesday Dowies first con-
fession of weakness was made at a
rally in the tabernacle at Zion City.
"a lot of you people have cash in
your pockets" Dowie said to his fol-
lowers. dig down and get it out. L
is Gods, and we need it in His work.
You're towards if you don't give it
up. Deposit it,"
Dowie talked in the same strain for
more than an hour, tears glistening
on his checks as he told of the fnan-
cial straits in which the Zion indus
tries found themselves.
Instead OF frightening many into de-
posting, this appeal sent a long line
of people to the bank on Friday, when
they lined up at the paying teller's
window, drawing out their money.
Less than $4,000 was deposited in the
Bank on Friday, while the amount
withdrawn was twice as much. Late
in the afternoon A. w. Graham, of
Waukegan. tried to withdraw his ac-
count of $500, and was told he would
have to give 80 days notice before he
could get his money. Sunday another
appeal was made by Dowie for funds,
but the depositors who appeared were
few and the deposits were chiefly in
trivial amounts. Yesterday Dowie
asked the members of Zion more
urgently than ever for money He de-
clared that he must have $500,000
without delay. This sum, he said, he
was willing to take in short loans, but
that they must be forthcoming imme-
diately. In the efforts to remedy the
condition of affairs at Zion City hun
dreds of letters were sent out daily to
Dowie's followers in other parts of the
country. In these letters, in which
glowing prospects of Zion City's fu-
ture were painted, and In which Dowie
himself is quoted as saying that all
those who believe in him will follow
the Lord" all Dowieites are urged. al
most commanded, to sell their farms,
stores and everything else and come