The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-09
ELIJAH DOYIE BANKRUPT.
Zion City Seized for Debt by Chi
cage Banks and Receivers Up.
pointed.
BoWIE COULD NOT RAISE FUNDS.

His. Frantic Appeals to His Fol-
lowers Had the Contrary Effect
and Hastened the Finish.
Chicago, ILL, Dec. Difficulties
which began during the crusade Of Jno
Alexander Dowie. the self-styled
Elijah ILL.," and his restoration host
in New York a month ago and which
have been rapidly increasing since
Dowie's return eliminated tonight in
the federal courts taking possession
of all the property controlled by Dowie
in Zion City, Illinois. This town,
which was founded two years ago by
Dowie, has a population of over10, COO,
is the general headquarters for Dowie's
church and is said to represent an ex-
penditure of $40, 000,000.
Frederick Nd. Blount, cashier of the
Chicago National bank, and Albert y.
Currier. law partner of Congress
man Boutelle were appointed receivers
of the property. Their bonds we're
fixed at sio0. 600 by Judge Kohlst of
the United States district court, who
made the appointment at the petition
of several creditors. The receivers left
for Zion City tonight to take posses
sion OF the property. The bankruptcy
proceedings against Dowie we're based
on the allegation that he is insolvent
and that while in this financial condi
tion he committed an act Of bank
ruptcy b5 making preferential pay
ment on November 2 to the Streeter
Lumber company forS3. no. Dowie has
been pressed hard by his creditors, es
pecially since it was announced that
his recent mission to New York had
proved unsuccessful financially. Dowie
is known to have accumulated a
large sam as the head of the Chris
tian Catholic church, the assets Of
the organization being estimated at be-
tween $40, 600, coo and $50, 600, 600.
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
great deal tof money was tied up.
Last Wednesday. :Dowie's first con-
fession of weakness was made at rally
in the tabernacle at Zion City. "a
lot Of you people have cash in your
pockets Bowie said to his followers.
Dig down and get it out. It is Gods
and we need'it in His work. You are
towards if you do not give it up.
Deposit it, Dowie talked in the
same strain for more than hour, tears
glisteningson his cheeks as he told Of
the ieancial straits in which Zion in
dustries found themselves. Instead Of
frightening many into depositine, this
appeal sent a long line of people to
the bank Friday when they lined up
at the paying teller's window, drawing
out their money. Less than 5000
was deposi ted in the bank Friday,
while che amount withdrawn vas
twice as much. Late,in the afternoon
A. ". Graham of Waukegan tried to
Withdraw his account of $500 and was
told he would have to give SO days
notice before he could get his money.
Yesterday another effort was made by
Dowie to get funds but the depositors
who appeared were fewaand the deposits
were chiefly in trivial amounts. To-
day Dowie asked the members of Zion
more urgently than ever for money.
He declared he must have $500. .0O0
without delay. I'm the efforts to remedy
fhe condition of affairs at Zion City
hundreds of letters were>sent out daily
to Dowie's followers in .other parts Of
the conu&cy. In these letters all
Dowieites se1nrged, almost command
ed to sell their farms. stores and every
thing else and come at tonce to Zion
City and take mp the work of the
church. It is declared that employees
of the manufacturing industries have
not been paid ON from -four to six
weeks. What aittle they have received
has heen paid entirely in Zion City
cupon books. Earlyin the week before
last Dowie made "a triprthroueh the
various shops. He told his followers
and others that they must either wait
for their salaries or must endure a
substantial cut do wages. This was
agreed to.
The receivers, ~ith hheir attorneys,
and Custodian Re&eske. with six
deputy marshais, went out to Zion
City tonight to serve Rpan Dowie the
notice of the receivenehip. Redieske
land his depaties vent to the bank
while the others called Rpoa Dowie at
his residence. AS the officers were
about to demand admission to THE bank
"a man ran from a rear door.
One of the deputies oTertook him
a0d a second man came sunning from
Mse bank, shouting, "Lst me have
these papers; I will get away with
them.''
Redieske threatened to place them
under arrest unless they returned at
once to the bank, which they did
He then placed the bank aud the three
men in it under guard.
While this was~-saking place at the
bauk, 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.
Gov. Peabody. OF Colorado has
issued proclamation placing Cripple
Crack under martial law. He declares