The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-02
ZION GOES BROKE
DowIE GETS INTO THE HANDS OF
RECEIVERS.
COULDN'T PAY HIS DEBTS
AND CREDITORS APPEALED TO
THE UNITED STATES COURT.

Lender of the Host of Zion Pleaded
with His Flock with Tears COurs-
inn Down His Cheeks, but Could
Not Raise Money.
Chicago. Dec. Financial Difficult
ties. which began during the crusade
of John Alexander Dowie, the self
STYLED elijah H." and his restoration
host to New York a month ago and
which have been rapidly increasing
since Dowie's return, eliminated to-
night in the federal courts taking pos
session of all the property controlled
nv Dowie in Zion City, Ill. This town,
which was founded two years ago by
Dowie has population of over lO'OOO'
is the general headquarters for Dowies
church. and is said to represent an
expenditure of $2O,OO0,OO0.
Frederick M. Blount, cashier of the
Chicago National Bank, and Albert D.
Currier. a law partner of Congressman
Boutelle, were appointed receivers of
the property. Their bonds were fixed
at 100000 by Judge Kohlsaat 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 possess
sion of the property.
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 Nov. to the
Streeter Lumber Company for $S,TO.
Dowie has been hard pressed by his
creditors, especially since it was an
nounced that his recent mission to
New York had proved unsuccessful
financially.
Dowie is known to have accumulated
a large sum as the head of the Chris
tan Catholic Church, the assets of the
organization being estimated at be-
tween $40. 100000 and $SOOOO,0O0. There
was a large outlay of money, how
ever. when Zion City was started.
Then lace and candy industries were
started. and as both of these ventures
have never been a paying investment.
a great deal of money was tied up.
DOwIe Made Appeals.
Last Wednesday Dowie's first con-
fession of weakness was made at
rally in the tabernacle at Zion CITY
Lot of you people have cash in your
pockets" Dowie said to his follow
ers. dig down and get it out. 1t is
Gods, and we need it in His work.
You are towards if you do not give 1t
up. Deposit 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 industries
found themselves.
Instead of frightening many into de-
posting, this appeal sent a long line
of people to the bank on 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
Waukegan tried to withdraw his ac-
count of $500 and was told he would
have to give thirty days notice before
ne could get his money.
Turned Deaf Ears.
Yesterday another effort was made
by Dowie to get funds, but the de-
positors 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 100000 without delay. In
the efforts to remedy the condition of
affairs at Zion City hundreds of let
ters were sent out daily to Dowie's
followers in other parts of the Coun-
try. In these letters all Dowieites are
urged almost commanded, to sell their
farms, stores and everything else and
come at once to Zion City and take
up the work of the church.
1t is declared that the employees 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 Zion
City coupon books. Early in the week
before last Dowie made trip through
The various shops. He told his fol-
lowers and others that they must
either wait for their salaries or must
endure a substantial cut in wages This
was agreed to.
Tried to Get Banks Papers.
The receivers, with their attorneys.
and Custodian Redeiske with six dep
uty marshals, went out to Zion City
Tonight to serve upon Dowie the no
uce of the receivership. Redieske
and his deputies went to the bank.
While the others called upon Dowie at
MS residence.
While the officers were about to de-
mand admission to the bank a man
ran from the rear door. One Of the
deputies overlook him and second
man came running from the bank.
shouting Let me have those paper;
VIII get away with them"
Hedeiske threatened to place them
under arrest unless they returned at
once once to the bank, which they did He
uen placed the bank and the three
men in II under a guard.
while this was taking place at the |
oank the receivers and their attorneys
teeHed upon Dowie and read to him |
ne petition and order of court, which |
placed Zfon In Aha hands nf raoafyara