Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-02
ELIJAH A BANKRUPT
Receivers Take Possession of
 Prophets Zion City.
FOUNDED BY DOWIE TWO YEARS AGO
FfnAncia1 DisflcuItaes which Began During the Host's Crusade In New York Have CuIminated In ALA
 Property Being Seized.

York Have CuIminated In ALA Property Being Seized.
 CHICAGO, Dec. 2.--Judge Kohlsaat in the United States district court has appointed Fred Nr Blount and Albert D. Currier receivers in bankruptcy for the property of John Alexander Dowie at Zion City on petition of three cred itors alleging an indebtedness of $1, les.
 Financial difficulties which began during the crusade of John Alexander Dowie, the self styled Elijah ILL" and his restoration host to New York a month ago and which have been rap idly increasing since Dowie's return eliminated in the federal court thus taking possession of all the property controlled by Dowie in Zion City. This town, which was founded two years ago by Dowie; has population of over 10000, is the general headquarters for Dowie's church and is said to repre- sent an expenditure of $20oo0, 900.
 The bankruptcy proceedings against Dowie were based on the allegation that he is insolvent and that while in this financial condition he committed an act of bankruptcy by making a preferential payment on Nov. 2 to the E. ~Streeter Lumber company for $3,- ITO. Dowie has been hard pressed by his creditors, especially since it was announced that his resent mission to New York had proved unsuccessful financially.
 Dowie is known to have accumulated a large surn as the head of the Chris tian Catholic church, the assets of the organization being estimated at be- tween $20,O0o,0OO and $30,O0o ,Ooo. There was a large outlay of money, however, when Zion City was started. Then lace and candy industries were started, and as both of these ventures have never been a paying investment a 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 $1o0,000, and other suits recent- ly begun in Lake county by creditors are said to aggregate large sum.
 Dowie's first confession 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 1t out. It Is Gods. and we need it in his work. You're towards if you don't give it up. Deposit 1t
 Instead of frightening many into de posting, this appeal sent long line of people to the bank on Friday, when they lined up at the paying tellers window, drawing out their money.
 It is declared to be a fact that the employees of the manufacturing indus tries have not been paid in from four to six weeks.
 The receivers. with their attorneys, and Custodian Redieske, with six dep uty n1arshals, went out to Zion City to serve upon Dowie the notice of the re- ceivership. Redieske and his deputies went to the bank, while the others called upon Dowie at his. residence. As the officers were about to demand ad- mission to the bank man ran from q rear door. One of. the deputies overlook him, and second man came running from the bank, shouting:
 ''Let me have those papers. I will get away with them"
 ReQlGSke threatened 10 place them under arrest unless they returned at once to the bank, which they did. He. then placed the bank and the three men in it under guard.
 While this was taking place at the bank the receivers and their attorneys called upon Dowie and read to him the petition and order of the court which placed Zion in the hands of receivers. N
 After hearing the petition Dowfe locked himself up with several of his leading subordinates. He refused to allow himself to be seen or to make any statement, merely sending out word that he had nothing to say.
 The order of court compels Dowie to appear in court Dec. Il. as5 RhAIa aGelphiR Accepts CSrU egies@ Gift.