The daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Beltrami Co., Minn.) 1903-1904, 1903-10-17
LEADER OF ZION AND A HOST OF
FOLLOWERS READY TO BE-
GIN THEIR CRUSADE.
WARFARE OPENS IN EARNEST SUNDAY
EXPECT TO VISIT EVERY FAMILY
IN THE CITY DURING THE
THREE WEEKS STAY.

~,
rection Of an advance agent 420 mem
bers of John Alexander Dowies Zion
hosts arrived from Chicago on the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad early in
the day to participate in crusade
for the regeneration of New York. All
appeared cheerful and happy and said
they had had an enjoyable trip. They
landed at the Battery and at once
boarded cars for Madison Square Gar.
den.
AS soon as the first car started the
crowd on board began singing hymn
and large crowd of curious spec.
tators gathered around those waiting
outside the ferryhouse. Men in the
DoWie party distributed tracts among
them. The men were all dressed in a
uniform resembling that worn by the
United States infantry. The women
did not wear uniforms.
Dowie himself arrived in his spe.
cial train at the Grand Central sta.
ton, disappointing the crowds who
were awaiting him at the West Shore
railroad ferry. His train had come
freia Albany over the hudson River
division. His private carriage was
awaiting him at the West Shore depot
and the Zion leader with his son and
two lieutenants took the carriage to
the hotel. A number OF his own peo-
pie greeted Mr.. Dowie, but there was
little demo nstration.
Gather at NJ adison Square Garden.
Another train bringing Mr.. DoWie's
adherents had previously arrived on
the New York Central railroad.
Madison Square Garden, which is
to be the headquarters OF the host for
most OF the time they are here, was
soon occupied by 1900 of the citizens
OF Zion. All had expected to break
fast in the garden, but it had been
impossible to make provisions for any
meals before 5 p. N. and they left the
garden In search of a meal in neigi-
boring restaurants.
Scattered around the entrance to
the garden were the Zion guards, each
dressed in black uniform and a
black peaked cap. On the cap just
above the peak was gilt dove and
under it the word braided in gilt let
tiers Patience" In the belt that they
wore was the usual sword strap, but
instead of weapon the strap held a
Bible
All who wished were assigned to
quarters in nearby clearinghouse
After a rest Mr.. DoWie proceeded
to Madison Square Garden, where
about 1000 OF the host awaited him.
When he stepped into the vast hall
the assemblage rose and faced the
overseer. Holding up his hands he
said: Peace be to thee.
Peace TO thee be multiplied" an
swered the great crowd in one voice
DR.. Dowie then made his way to the
balcony, asked for a roll call and as
signed the audience to sections of the
hall, separating them according to the
trains by which they arrived.
Dowie Talks to Reporters.
After looking things over at Madi-
son Square Garden Mr.. Dowie gath
cred the reporters together and talked
to them for over an hour. He said
and that during the three weeks that
the followers of the Christian Cath
Ollie church are here they expect to
visit every family in this city at least
twice He said further he had fought
many battles against wrong and has
always won, that his coming to New
York is not a, money making scheme
land he does not care If the people
here do not pay his gas bills.
A great semi-circular platform has
been built at the eastern end OF the
garden, from which Dowie and his as
sistants will deliver their messages to
the unregenerate. The baptismal
fount dug in front of the platform is
ready to turn on the water and in the
central space In the garden have been
placed 5000 chairs, making the seat
ing capacity Of the garden $4,000
The warfare will be opened in good
earnest Sunday
Parties of workers will be sent out
lover the city to distribute literature
setting forth the virtues Of Dowieism
and picked agents will visit the Bow
cry Chinatown also will be an OBJ
jective point for trusted bands of the
prophet"
On the authority of Mrs Carl F.
Stern, daughter of John Alexander
Dowie and wife Of the chief OF police
Of Zion City. it was learned that Mrs.
Dowie had been robbed of a $1,000
diamond and pearl brooch in the pri-
vate car attached to the special train
In which the Dowie party reached the
city
FOUR MINERS SMoTHERED.