The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-12-04
ZION HAS FALLEN.


posed. Zioli mourns and its people will
not be comforted, for the reason that
they cannot reclaim their cash. The
despoilers, in the guise of receivers ap-
pointed by a Federal court, accompa-
MED by their deputies, are in charge
of the sacred city, the hitherto prohib-
tied cigar is smoked upon the conse-
Grated streets and in the holy places,
and 1t is feared that the profane flask
is being surreptitiously hit" by some
of the ungodly ones who accompanied
the receivers from Chicago and " ho
haven't yet become accustomed to the
beatiic conditions that have been sup
posed to prevail in the city founded by
John Alexander Dowie, the man who
recently In New York publicly pro-
claimed the alleged frailty of his moth
er, the infamy of his reputed father,
and his own illegitimate origin. That
the man undoubtedly lied Is only a
circumstance in keeping with supposi-
tions that can be deduced from what
is known of his checkered and sensa-
tional career
The history of this man Dowie is a
wonderful one-not more so than that
of Count di Caguostro, and other i'm
posters and charlatanS-but on some-
what different lines. Cagliostro ap-
pealed more to the love of the myster-
ious; Dowie, and the fakes of modern
times work the religious racket"
mot to speak profanely of honest re-
1igious erdeavors.) After leaving pris-
on in Australia, Dowie came to Amer
lea, where he found a. fertile field for
his schemes. He Is a man evidently
possessed of great personal magnet
ism that influences certain classes of
people. He is a leader much on the
lines of Brigham Young, who also con-
virccd a multitude that he was q man
Of God, especially chosen to lead his
followers into strange and unknown
paths. Like the great Mormon leader
er, Dowie controlled not only the ac-
tions but the fortunes of his disciples,
and exacted tithes from them all. But
Brigham Young led his hosts into the
wilderness where they we're isolated
from any sort of civilization other
than that maintained by themselves
They arrognted to themselves the pow
er TO make and enfOlce their own laws,
and so successful were they In doing
SO that for years they defied the power
of the Federal government, and today
present conditions such as are source
of trouble and anxiety to the govern
ment and 10 moralists.
But, Dowie, unfortunately for the ul-
innate success of his plans, did not
seek wilderness for his operations
it is difficult today to discover an ideal
place for scheme of this kind slch
as Brigham Young found ready for ex-
ploitation. He was too near Chicago,
city that, according to popular rep
utation. has little use for saints, espec-
tally Of the Dowie brand. Publicity
was bound to come, and publicity is
equally the fot to fakes. religious or
financial. Sufficient publicity, it Is be-
lieved by many. would kill trust.
Then came the disastrous mission to
Gotham, an expedition that was ex-
pected to result in many converts and
much cash, but which accomplished
absolutely nothing except to empha-
size to all the world what a consum-
mate fraud was the much self-vaunt-
ed prophet of a new religion. This
marked the beginning of what ap-
pears to be the elimination of Dow
les career.
His town of Zion City, which he
has controlled with as firm a hand as
ever an absolute monarch exercised,
and which he practically owned. is
several years old, with a population
of perhaps 10000, and II Is said rer-
resents an expenditure of cash and
credit amounting to $20,000,000 It's
inhabitants are gathered from all
parts OF this country, and some are
from foreign lands Besides these,
there are many adherents Of the Dow
ie faith all over the land who. lgr
various reasons, have not emigrated
TO the Holy City. They have sent
their cash, which, to Dowie, has prob
ably been as acceptable as their
presence. The condition of the faith
fdl" who are yet in Zion is not to he
envied The property they brought
with them Is attached 10 Dowio and
Dowie's property is likely 10 be at,
taohed by his creditors. Ali they have
to show for the money deposited In
Dowie's bank is bunch of coupons
calling for merchandise in Dowie's
store that is now In the hands OF
Judge Kohlsaat's receivers.
There Is no doubt but Dowie knew
this catastrophe was coming. He
has probably known of II for
q long time for, though a fraud, he
IL not a fool. Within q few days he has
made frantic appeals to his followers
the substance OF which were: Follow
the Lord, but leave your cash with
me-" And the almost absolute certain
ty Is that, while the poor deluded
souls thought they were following the
Lord, Dowie kept the cash.
The newspapers say Dowie has lost
his grip. In one sense they are right
He has lost whatever grip he had
upon those Of his adherents who are
not so blind or so bigoted that moth
ing short OF q surgical operation
would cause Them to comprehend any
thing Obvious He has lost his grip,
but there Is we'll defined suspicion
that Mrs. Dovie took the grip with
her to Ilondon on her way TO Aus
trails and that its coatents are val
uable
Thus probably ends another fake.
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