The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-12-02
DOWIE FORCEDTO The WALL
ZION CITY PLACED IN HANDS OF
RECEIVERS.

Property Represents an Expenditure of
$4,000, ,OOO-Ths "Prophot'' tn Fi-
nane,aI Distress Ever since His New
York Crusads~Desperats but FutiIe
AupeaIs to His Followers for Funds.
Chicago, Dec. Financial difficulties
which began during the crusade of John
Alexander Dowie, the self-styled ''Elijah
III and his restoration host to New
York. eliminated tonight in the fed
eral courts taking possession of all the
property controlled by Dowie in Zion
City, Ill. This town, which was found
ed two years ago by Dowie, has popu-
Iation OF over 10000, is the general head
quarters for Dowie's church and is said
to represent an expenditure of $20,0OO,-
900. s-.....l ..-
Fred NJ. Blount, cashier of the Chica-
go National bank, and Albert D. Cur
rier. a law partner of Congressman Bou-
tell. were appointed receivers Of the
property. Their bonds were fixed at
800, 200 by Judge Kohlsaat Of the Unit
ed 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. ...,51 4...... .%% ..+...s.
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 preferential
payment, on November 2, to the E.
Streeter Lumber company for $S.770.
DoWie has been hard pressed by his
creditors. especially since it was an
nounced that his recent mission to New
York had proved unsuccessful, finan-
cially.
Dowie Is known to have accumulated
large sum as the head of the Chris
tian Catholic church. the assets Of the
organization being estimated at be-
tween $20.0O0.00 and $30O0O000. There
was 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 paying investment, great deal
more money was tied up. DoWie's diff
ferences with his brother-in-laW. Stev-
enson, over the management of the lace
factory cost more than 100000 and 9TH
er suits recently begun in Lake county
by creditors are said to aggregate a
large sum.
Attorney Etttelson, representing the
petitioning creditors. in his arguments
before Judge Kohlsaat said:
1.-THE creditors whom represent have
81,
solvent. Judgments have been accumu-
lating against him for several weeks
past and there was every indication
that the overseer of Zion Congregation
could not pay his debts. In such crisis
the creditors sought protection for their
interests in the bankruptcy court. 1t
is impossible to estimate the liabilities
or assets of Dowie. Zion's affairs are
complicated and it will take several
weeks, / believe. before any idea Of
Dowie's finances can be had"
Judge Kohlsaat at first refused to ap-
point a receiver for the property on the
ground that Dowie should have notice
Of SO important a proceeding. After list
ening to further account of Dowie's
affairs from Mr.. Ettelson, Judge Kohl
saat decided it would be well to have
the receivers appointed before the prop
erty at Zion City could be dissipated.
He therefore entered the order appoint
ing Messrs. Blount and Currier.
Last Wednesday Dowie's first confess
sion 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 followers.
s.Dig down and get it out. 1t is Gods,
and we need it in His work. You're
towards if you don't give it up. Depos-
it it,
Dowie talked in the same strain for
more than an hour, tears glistening on
his cheeks. as he told Of the financial
straits in which the Zion's industries
found themselves.
Instead of frightening many into de-
posting, this appeal sent long line
of people to the bank Friday, when they
lined up at the paying teller's window,
drawing out their money.
# Less than $4,000 was deposited in the
bank on Friday. while the amount
withdrawn was twice as much. Late
In the afternoon A. W. Graham of Wau-
kegan tried to withdraw his account Of
$500 and was told he would have to give
thirty days notice before he could get
his money Yesterday another appeal
was made by Dowie for funds, but the
deDositors who appeared were few and
the deposits were chiefly in trivial
amounts. To-day Dowie asked the men,
bers of Zion more urgently than ever
for money. He declared that he must
have $500,000 without delay. This sum-
he said, he was willing to take in short
loans, but that they must be forthcom-
ing Immediately. In the efforts to REM
edy the condition of affairs at Zion City
hundreds of letters were sent out daily
to Dowie's followers in other parts Of
the country. In those letters, in which
glowing prospects Of Zion City's future
was painted, and in which Dowie him.
self is quoted as praying that all those
who believe in him will follow the
Lord." and Dowiweites are urged, al
most commanded. to sell their farms,
stores and everything else and come tt
once to Zion City and take up the work
of the church. All those who have
money in banks near where they now
live are asked to draw that money out
of the local banks and send it for depos-
1t at Zion City.
II is declared to be a fact that the
employees of the manufacturing indus
tries have not been paid in from four to
-.