Milford chronicle., 1903-12-04
RECEIVERS NAMED
FOR ZION CITY
Bankruptcy Proceedings Against John
Alexander DoWia.
Els VENTURES Do NOT PAY

Chicago, Dec. 2.-ginancial difficult
ties which began during the crusade
a of John Alexander Dowie. the self.
styled Elijah III, and his restoration
host to New York month ago, ana
which have been rapidly increasing
since DoWie's return. culminated in
the federal court taking possession
OF all the property controlled by Dowie
in Zion City, III. This town. when
was founded two years ago by Dow.e.
has a population of over 10000, is the
general headquarters for Dowie's
church and is said to represent an
expenditure OF S20.000000.
Fred NJ. Blourt. cashier Of the Chi
cago National Bank and Albert D.
Currier q law partner Of Congress
man Boutell, were appointed receiv- !
ers of the property. Their bonds were
fixed at 100000 by Judge Kohlgaat. of /
the United States district court. who /
made the appointment on the petition /
of several creditors The receivers
left fer Zion City TO take possession OF
the property
Ihe bankruptcy proceedings against
DoWie We're based on the allegation
that he is insolvent, and that while
in this financial condition he commit
ted an act Of bankruptcy by making q
pre- ltial payment. on November ..
10 tine b. Slreeter Lumber Company
for s3770. Dowie las been harl
pressed by his creditors. especially
since il was announced that his re-
cent mission to New York had proved
financially.
DoWie is known to have aceumulat
ed large sum as the head of tho
Christian Catholic Church. the asset
Of the organization being estimated at
between S20,000,000 and SSO.O0O.O00
There was large outlay of money.
however, when Zion City was started. Y
Then lace and candy industries were i
started, and as both of these ventures E
laye never been paying investment. O
great deal more money was tied M j
Jowie's differences with his brother 3
n-law, Stevenson. over the mana~e- ii
nent OF the lace factory cost more I.
han 100000, and other suits recently I
csun in Lake county by creditors are IL
aid to aggregate a large sum.
Attorney Ettleson, representing the 81
etitioning creditors. in his argumen.s "
eiore Judge Kohlsaat. said: IN
The creditors whom I represent IL
ave reason to believe that Dr. Dowfa h'
insolvent Judgments have been
against him for several III
eeks past, and there was every indi- IN
tion that the Overseer of Zion con CO
egation could not pay his debts. In uo
oh crisis, the creditors sought pro IN
ction for their interests in the bank De
ptcy court. It is impossible to es- pl
nate the liabilities or assets of DR.. ar
wie. lions affairs are complicated ms
d it will take several weeks. l be De
We, before any idea of Dowie's ne
ances can be had"
LAST Wednesday Dowie's first con lev
sion of weakness was made at ma
ly in the tabernacle at Zion CITY.
"A lot OF you people have cash in NE
II pockets" Dowie said to his fol. 10
'ers. Dig down and get it out. II aD'
Gods, and we need it in His work. you
lre towards if you don't give it SIS
Deposit it,"
'o"ie talked in the same strain for
re than an hour, tears glistening Jap
his checks as he told of the fnan-
straits in which the Zion indus. P
s found themselves. on
lstead of frightening many into de- Far
ting, this appeal sent long line ises
eople to the bank on Friday. when has
lined up at the paying teller's Thi
dow, drawing out their money the
than $4,000 was deposited in the pros
k on Friday, While the amount wer
ldrawn was twice as much. Late tati'
ne afternoon A. w. Graham Of Gre:
Ikegan' tried to withdraw his ac- ton
It OF $500, and was told he world basi
to give so days notice before he can
q get lis money. Sunday another pect
al was made by Dowie for funds tt
the depositors who aDDeared were men
and the deposits were chiefly in two
Al amounts. Yesterday Dowie and
d the members of Zion more spec
ntly than ever for money. He do. varic
q that ne must have S50OGOO main
1ut delay. This sum. he said he In ez
wiling to take in short loans but viii
they must be forthcoming fmme. respe
ly. In the efforts to remedy the 1t
ton Of affairs at Zion CITY hun. be s
Of letters were sent out daily to ard I
es followers in other parts of the Of til
ry- In these letters, in which and
ng prospects of Zion City's fu- Kore;
we're painted, and In which Dowie
II Is quoted as saying that all Chi
who believe in him will follow Get
ord all Dowieites are urged. Al. tyshu
commanded. to sell their farms Of the
and everything else and come borou
'e to Zion City and take up the boal
Of the church. All of those who part i
money in banks near where they dedica
i've We're asked to draw that of the
out of the local banks and send the p
leposit at Zion City. the tc
Two Dave WITH e,,I,.4 placed
ark, N. j., Dec. Am autopsv Iets II