The Indianapolis journal., 1903-12-02
All of the Outlay, However, Did Not
Bring Returns, and some Ventures
Were Losers from the Start.
LIABILITIES NOT YET KNOWN
TROUBLES OF ELIJAH III BEGAN
WHEN HE WENT TO NEW YORK.
Creditors Have Been Pressing Him
Papers from the Bank.

CHICAGO, Dec. 1-Financial difficulties.
which began during the crusade of John
Alexander Dowie, the self-styled Elijah III.
and his restoration host TO New York a
month ago and which have been rapidly in
creasing since Dowie's return. eliminated
tonight in the Federal Court taking pos
session of all the property controlled by
Dowie, in Zion City. H. This town. which
was founded two years ago by Dowie, has
a population OF over 10000, is the general
headquarters for Doxie's church and is
said to represent an expenditure OF s3oooo.-
900.
Fred NJ. Blount. cashier of the Chicago
National Bank. and Albert d. Currier, a
law partner of Congressman Boutell, were
appointed receivers OF the property. Their
bonds were fixed at 100000 by Judge Kohl
saat. of the United States District Court.
who made the appointment on the petition
of several creditors. The receivers left
for Zion City tonight to take possession
OF the property.
The bankruptcy proceedings against
Dowie were based or the allegations that
he is insolvent and while In this financial
condition he committed an act of bank
ruptcy by making a preferential payment
on Nov 2, to Z. Streeter Lumber Company.
for $3770 Dowie has been hard pressed by
his creditors especially since IL was an
nounced that his recent mission TO New
York had proved unsuccessful financially.
DOwIEs INVESTMENTS.
Dowie Is known 70 have accumulated q
large sum as the head Of the Christian
Catholic Church. the assets Of the organ
ization being estimated at between $20.0o0.-
COO and $50, 900. There was large out
lay of money however. when Zion City was
started. Then lace and candy industries
were started and as both of these ventures
have not been paying investments a great
deal more money was tied up. Dowies diff
ferences with his brother-in-law. Steven
son, over the management Of the lace fac
tory. cost more than 100000 and other suits
recently begun in Lake county by cred
itoTs are said to aggregate large sum-
Attorney Ettelson, representing the Pc
JSae 5Enng Koblsaat said ID The Creditors whom
/ represent have reason TO believe that
DIR. Dowie is insolvent. Judgments have
been accommodating against him for severai
weeks past, and there was every indication
that the overseer 81 Zion congregation
could not pay his debts. In such a crisis
the creditors sought protection for their
interests in the Bankruptcy court. 1t is
impossible to estimate the liabilities or as
sets of Dowie. Ziors affairs are comph-
Gated and il will take several weeks. L
i
can be had"
Judge Kohlsaat at first refused to APP
point a receiver for. the property on the
ground that Dowie. should have notice
of so important proceeding. After list
ening to further account OF DOVES az
fairs from Mr.. Ettelson. Judge kohlsaat
! decided 1t would be we'll TO have the re-
ceivers appointed before the property at
Zion City could be dissipated: He there
| fore entered the order appointing Messrs-
| Blount and Carrier.
DOWIE'S CONFESSION.
Last Wednesday Dowie's first confession
of weakness was made at a rally I'm the
tabernacle at Zion City. "A lot Of you peo-
pie have cash in your pockets" Dowie
said to his followers. dig down and get
it out. 1t is Gods and we need IL in His
work. You're towards IL you don't give 1t
I'D. Deposit it." Doxie 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 deposit
/ ing this appeal sent, long line OF people
| to the bank on Friday. when they lined up
at the paying teller'g window, drawing out
their money Less tran 500 was deposited
| in the bank on Friday, while the amount
/ withdrawn was twice as much. Late In the
/ afternoon A. w. Graham, of Waukegan,
trieu to withdraw his account OF 500 and
was told he would have 10 give thirty days
| notice before he could get his money. Yes
| terday another appeal was made by Dowie
for funds, but the depositors who appeared
were few and the deposits were chiefly in
trivial amounts
To-day Dowie asked the members OF Zion
more urgently than ever for money. He
| declared that he must have $500 600 without
delay. This sum, ne said. he willing
! 10 take In short l0aps, but that they must
be Forthcoming immediately- In the efforts
| TO remedy the condition OF affairs at Zion
| City hundreds OF letters were sent out daily
to Dowies followers in other parts Of the
country. In these letters, In which glow
painted, and in which Dowie himself Is
| quoted as praying that all those who be-
| lieve I'm him will follow the Lord, all
| Dowieites are urged, almost commanded. 10
sell their farms. stores and everything else
and come at once 70 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 local banks and send IL for de-
posit at Zion City.
EMPLOYEES NOT PAID.
1t is declared 10 he a fact that the en-
ployes of the manufacturing industries have
| not been paid in from four TO six weeks
What little they have received is said 10
have been paid entirely In the Zson City
coupon books. Early In the week before
last Dowie made a personal trip through
the various shops. IL has been customary
at Zion City TO start each days work In the
shops with fifteen minutes devoted to pray
! er services. On the day In QUESTION it is
said that Dowie went 10 each OF the shops
| and talked for more than two hours 10 the
| employees. He told his followers and others
that they must either wait for their saJ-
| aries must endure substantial cut in
wages. This was agreed 10,
In one shop "A nonmember OF Dowie's flock
| asked Dowie why he was going TO Australia
| IL his finances were so bad.
II may not be able 10 20 at all" quietly
! CONTINUED On PAGE 5. COL 60