The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-12-05
REfEIYGRSF FOR HONCIIY
Named by Federal Court to Take
Charge of Property.
The ASSETS ARE OVER s2oOOO,oOo

powie's Financial Troubles Began
During His Crusade In New YORK
and eliminated When That Mission
Proved Unsuccessful.
Chicago. Dee. Financial Difficult
ties which began during the crusade
of John Alexander Dowie, the sell
STYLED Elijah ILL., and his restoration
host TO New York a month ago, and
which have been rapidly increasins
since Dowies return. eliminated IN
the federal court taking 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 headquarters for Dowies
church. and is said to represent an
expenditure OF S200oo,000.
Fred NJ. Blount. cashier Of the Chi.
cago National Bank. and Albert d.
Currier. a law partner of Congress
man Boutcll. We're appointed receiy-
ers of the property Their bonds were
fixed at 100000 boy Judge Kohlsaat, of
the United States district court who
made the appointment on the petition
of several creditors The receivers
left for Zion City To take possession OF
the property
The bankruptcy proceedings against
Dowie were based on the allegation
that ne is insolyent and that while
in this financial condition he commit
ted an act of bankruptcy by making a
preferential payment on November ..
10 the z. Streetcr Lumber Company
for $3.50. Dowie has been hard
pressed by his creditors. especially
since it was announced that his re-
cent mission to New York had proved
unsuccessful financially
Dowie is known TO have accumulat-
ed a large sum as the head of the
Christian Catholic Church the assets
of the organization being estimated At
between S2oOU0.o00 and S300o0.000.
There was a large outlay Of money
however when Zion City was started.
Then lace and candy industries We're
started. and as both of these ventures
hav. never been a paying investment
a great deal more money was tied up
Dowie's differences with his brother
inlaw. 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 a large sum.
Attorney Ettleson. representing the
petiti0ning creditors. in his arguments
before Judge KohIsaat, said:
The creditors whom l represent
have reason 70 believe that Or Dowie
IS insolyent. Judgments have been
accumulatinz against him for several
weeks past and there was every indi-
cation that the oyerseer of Zion CON
gregation could not pay his debts. in
such a crisis. the creditors sought pro-
lection for their interests I'm the bank
ruptcy court II is impossible TO es-
innate the liabilities or assets OF Dr..
Dowie lions affairs are complicated.
and il viii take several weeks. be-
lieve. before any idea of Dowie's
finances can be had.
Last wednesday DOwics first con
fession of weakness was made al a
rally in the tabernacle at Zion City.
"A lot Of You people have cash IN
your pockets" Dowie said to his fol-
lowers. Dis down and get It out. It
IS Gods. and we need it I'm His work
You're towards if you don't give it
up Deposit it,
Dowie talked in the same strain for
more than an hour tears glistening
on his cheeks as he told Of the inan-
Cial straits IN which the Zion indus
tries found themselves.
Instead Of frightening many into de-
posting. this appeal sent a long line
of people 10 the bank on Friday, when
they lined mp at the paying teller's
window drawing out their money.
Less than $4,000 was deposited in the
Bank on Friday. while the amount
was twice as much. Late
in the afternoon A. W Graham, of
W7ukegan. tried to withdraw his &C
count of $500. and was told he would
have 10 give 80 days notice before he
could get his money. Sunday another
appeal was made by Dowie for funds,
but the depOsitors who appeared were
few and the deposits were chiefly in
trivial amounts Yesterday Dowie
asked the members of Zion more
urgently than ever for money. He de.
clared 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 imme-
diately. In the efforts 10 remedy the
condition Of affairs at Zion City hun
dreds of letters were sent out daily TO
Dowie's followers in other parts of the
country In these letters. in which
glowing prospects of Zion City's fu-
ture were painted. and In which Dowic
himself Is quoted as saying that all
those who believe in him will follow
the Lord" all Dowieites are urged. al
most commanded. to sell their farms.
stores and everything else and come
at once to Zion City and take IN 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
It for deposit at Zion City.
Wealthy Virginian Suicide.
Richmond Va, Dec. 2. - Paris o.
ex-superintendent of schools
and ex-supervisor. and a prominent,