Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1903-12-04
BUBBLE BURSTED.
DR.. Dowie's Zion City i'll the
Hands Of Receivers.
Financial Difficulties Oyervhelm the
Seif-Styled "EIIJah IEI''-Hc Ap-
peals to His Followers to Sell
Their Property and Help
Gods Church Work.

NIlCHBO, IJtC. Flnunclul UllnCull-
ties which began during the crusade
of John Alexander Dowie, the self
styled "Eliiah ILL.," and his restora-
tion host to New York a month ago
and which have been rapidly increas-
ing since Doves return eliminated
last night in the federal courts taxi
ing possession of all the property
controlled by Dowie in Zion City, Ill.
This town, which was founded two
years ago by Dowie, has population
of over 10000, is the general head
quarters for Dowie's church and is
said to represent an expenditure of
$2O,0OO,O00.
Fred NJ. Blount cashier of the Chi
cago national bank, and Albert d.
Currier, law partner of Congress-
man Boutelle, were appointed re-
ceivers of the property. Their bonds
were fixed at 100000 by Judge
Kohlsaat, of the United States dis
trict court, who made the appoint
ment on the petition of several credit
ors. The receivers left for Zion City
last night to take possession of the
property.
The bankruptcy proceedings
against Dowie were based on the al
legation that he is insolvent and that
while in this financial condition he
committed an act of bankruptcy by
making Il preferential payment, on
November >, to the f. Streetor Lum-
Der Co. for S3.T70. Dowie has been
hard pressed by his creditors, es-
pecially since it was announced that
his recent mission to New York had
proved unsuccessful financially.
Dowie accumulated large sum as
the head of the Christian Catholic
church, the assets of the organiza-
ton being estimated at between $20,-
100000 and S3O,OOO,OOO. There was
large outlay of money, however,,
when Zion City was started. Then
lace and costly candy industries were
started, and as both of these ventures
have never been paying investments
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 100000 and other suits recently
begun in Lake county by creditors
are said to aggregate large sum.
Last Wednesday Dowie's first con-
fession of weakness was made at
~ lot of you people have cash IN
your pockets" Dowie said to his fol-
lowers. Dig down and get it ont.
1t is Gods and we need it in his
work. You're towards if you don't
give it up"
Dowie talked in the same strain
for more than an hour, tears glisten-
ing on his cheeks as he told of the
financial straits in which the Zion
industries found themselves.
Instead of frightening many into
depositing, this appeal sent 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 de-
posted in the bank on Friday, while
the amount withdrawn was twice as
much. Late in the afternoon y. w.
Graham, of Wauiegan, tried to with
draw his account of $500 and was
told he would have to give 30 days
notice before he could get the money.
Monday another appeal was made by
Dowie for funds. but the depositors
who appeared were few and the de-
posits were chiefly in trivial amounts.
Yesterday Dowie asked the MEM
bers of Zion more urgently than ever
for money. He declared that he must
have 100000 without delay. This
sum, he said. he was willing to take
in short loans, but that they must be
forthcoming Immediately. In the eff
forts to remedy the condition of af-
fairs at Zion City hundreds of letters
were sent out to Dowie's followers in
other parts of the country.
In these letters, in which glowing
prospects of Zion City's future were
painted, and in which Dowie himself
is quoted as praying that all those
| who believe in him will follow the
Lord" all Dowieites are urged-al-
most communicable sell their farms,
stores and everything else and come
at once to Zion City and take up the
work of the church. All of those who
have money in banks near where
they now live were asked to draw
that money out of the banks and send
it for deposit at Zion City.
1t is declared that employees of the
manufacturing industries have not
been paid in from four to six weeks
What little they have received is said
| to have been paid entirely in the
Zion City coupon books. Week be-
fore last Dowie made trip through
the various shops. 1t is said that
| Dowie talked for more than two
hours to the employees. He told his
followers and others that they must
either wait for their salaries or en-
dure substantial cut in wages. This
was agreed to.
Last night the receivers and their
attorneys called upon Dowie and
read to him the petition and order OF
court which placed Zion in the hands
of receiver.
After hearing the petition, Dowie
locked himself up with several of hi.
leading subordinates. He refused tC
make any statement, merely sending
out word that he had nothing to say
The order of court issued compel.
Dowe to appear in court Decem
ber IL.
Accepted CarneGIe's GIFT.
Philadelphia. Dec. City council!