The Indianapolis journal., 1904-04-09
POLICE SAVED ELIJAH Il
FROM MOB IN AUSTRALIA
Details of the Rioting III Mel
bourne Are Given in Island
Newspaper.
CAT CALLS START ROW
Dowie Declares DisturberS Are
Criminals and then Escapes
Through Back Door.
AT CALLS START ROW

CHICAGO, April S-John Alexander
Dowies turbulent experiences in Australia
are described in the Melbourne Argus, re-
cent copies of which have reached Chicago.
The report of his meeting in the exposition
building Sunday afternoon. Feb. 2S. shows
the scene became one of mob disorder.
Rioting started when he denounced the
disturbers in the gathering as criminals >
and scolded the rest of the audience of more
than 1900 for allowing disorder. Mrs. Dowie.
when she attempted TO read the Scripture
lesson. was given an unfavorable reception.
Dowie and his party escaped from the
crowd under the protection of police. Zion
City overseer was forced to abandon further
meetings in the exposition building.
This is how the Australian newspaper
tells it:
when Dowie and his party appeared on
the platform the effect theatrical. The
first two were in semi-military costume.
Then came Mrs. Dowie. in a clerical dress
of white, with black surplice garment,
and the Rev. Mr.. Dowie. DR.. Gladstone
Dowie's vestments were in black SIX and
velvet with deep purple velvet collar.
THE announcement that Mrs. DoWle
would read the first lesson produced a
cat call.
corner cried Mr.. Dowie.
Mrs. Dowie then began to read the les
son in voice that could not be heard at
the back. There was a slight interruption ,n
under the dome, and promptly Mr. DoWle
stopped the lesson. L have never seen MRS.
Dowie subjected to such insolent treat
ment.' he. said; and a man cried Hear
hear while another laughed.
During the scriptureireading Mrs. DoWle
frequently was interrupted, according 10
the newspaper account, and Dowie would
jump to his feet and demonstrate.
Mr.. Dowie announced as his text: This
is Elijah, which is TO come. He that hath
ears to hear let him hear There were a
few cat calls as the speaker proceeded.
Then Mr.. Dowie in excited tones, cried:
1T is surprising that decent and respecta-
BILE citizens will trouble about these peo-
pie. This is a small band not OF citizens
but of criminals, whom the police are able
to deal with The small band who are max
ing this disturbance are criminals and un-
worthy of citizenship.
Immediately there was an uproar. The
opprobriouS term brought protesting calls
from different parts of the audience, and
from this time the meeting was out OF
hand. The police were powerless and In the
uproar sCme one struck up the tune John
Brown
"'John the Baptist did his work. called
the preacher, and the interrupterS sang
back John Browns knapsack was num-
Der &c.
az have many addresses TO make before
/ reach home again, and do not propose to
destroy my voice speaking against that
band Of criminals. cried Mr.. Dowie finally
as he called on those present to close the
proceedings with the Doxology.
After this he and his party left the
stage and went TO the rooms under the
organ to await the dispersal of the crowd
Several thousands waited in the seats
Suddenly an usher rushed up to a con-
stable with the word that fifteen police
were wanted at the back door. Dowie and
his party had escaped in four cabs.
"Outside of the gates a large crowd re-
mained, and in fifteen minutes it had in
creased to several thousands.
Between Z and 1880 o'clock from 1,50t
to 1000 persons were waiting around the
entrances. A young man was distributing
little parcels of tomatoes in particularly
ripe condition"