The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-11
DOWIE FIGHTS In LAST DITCH
INVOKES THE Law TO RESTORE
ZION TO ITS PROPHET.
''EliJah H." Reaches Chicago, Broken in
Health but Not in Spirit. and Begins
His Campaign for the Christian Catholic
Church's MillOns-Guarded In Hotel.

Health hut Not In Spirit, n Begins
His Campaign for the Christian Catholic
Church's MilllOns-Guarded In Hotel.
CHICAGO, April 1o.-Broken in health
and in spirit, disgraced in the eyes of those
who once believed him divinely inspired
and deposed from the leadership of the
faith he founded, John Alexander Dowie
is in Chicago to fight for the control Of
the Christian Catholic Church and it's
millions.
Scorning suggestions Of a compromise
and surrounded by a mere handful Of those
who have remained faithful to him, he Is
preparing to invoke the power of the courts
to regain the soeptre which has been wrested
from him.
Arriving amid scenes Of turmoil and
disorder, after a twenty days race from a
far of isle, where he had been counting
restoration Of health and strength, the
venerable leader ensconced himself in a
suite OF rooms at the Auditorium Annex,
where he might be near the scene of his
former triumphs and at once ook up the
gauntlet which had been thrown down
to him by voliva.
All day he was in conference with his
attorney and his supporters, and before he
had been in the city an hour the first lines
had been drawn on the map Of the campaign
which is to determine his future and that
Of Zion.
Whether he is to stand forth, indicated
by the law and his people, or whether he
is to be compelled to 60 to a foreign land,
to die in shame and disgrace, with only a
pittance to provide for his physical needs.
is to be determined in the struggle In which
no quarter is to be given and hone asked.
Both sides have staked their all in this
fight and the skirmish for the battle Of
giants is already on.
DR.. Dowie's day In Chicago WAS one
OF intense activity from the time he stepped
from a train at the Polk street station at
S,1l O'Clock in the morning until he retired
shortly after 0 o'clock at night, and the
s~trenuosity with which he went at his
task belied the story Of a disordered mind
and a disease sapped body.
Escaping from a process server at the
depot and plunging through a crowd which
stalwart policemen attempted to fight bach
~ vain, ne entered a waiting carriage, was
driven at a gallop to his hotel, where he
eluded another curious throng, and within
half an hour wa in telephone oommunica-
tion with the attorney who will direct his
legal eff
his mine and he stopped only for a light
luncheon. served in his room, and for q
brief but refreshing sleep.
Guards surrounded him when he arrived
at the station, aided him in making his way
hotel during the night. They were within
easy call and constant. although apparently
unnecessary, care was taken to prevent
his enemies from reaching him.
AT the close Of the deliberations tonight
II was announced that unconditional sur
render was the only basis on which the
rebellious forces Of Zion would be met.
Noliva and his forces, the first epostle
announced; must bend their knees, wholly
r%enounce the Zion throne, which they have
ustrped, and humbly size for pardon.
Yet Dowie. the thunderer, will move
peaceahly and orderly against the ram
parts of the adversary. The courts will
he his only weapon with which he will seek
to overthrow the new dynasty and again
The scrutiny of papers and other legal
instruments in connection with the pro-
posed suit occupied more than ten hours.
Emil c. .Wetten Of the law firm of Eddy,
Haley d Wetten, who was retained as
legal adviser early in the day. was with
the deposed ruler much Of this time and
he was made acquainted with the evidence
which will he used against Voliva.
Papers may be filed in the first suit to-
morrow. 1t will be a civil proceeding to
Deacon Granger, who afterward trans
ferred il to Overseer Voliva.
An elder in Zion Is now implicated in
serious charges made In connection with
his association with John Alexander Dowie.
While the nature of the charges are with
held from the public, it is understood that
they are connected with the secret room
discovered in Shiloh house. Capt. Walker
the Zion. City police department, who is
making an investigation. admitted tonight
that the arrest of the elder might be made
at any time.
THE charges are indeed serious" said
The captain "and ] cannot tell exactly what
they are. / will say, however, that their
ma ture is such that it will shock the com.
munity when they become known"
1t was a lso discovered to-day that the
elephone in the secret room uncovered
in the forTne r residence of the First Apostle"
corrected with his bedroom
All day to-day the people OF Zion City
awaited in vain what they believed was to
10 the spectacular entrance of their leader
nto his former domain, Almost the entire
population, however, stuck to the promise
made to General Overseer Voliva, n few
were at the railroad station to
Welcome Dowie had he arrived. 1t was
declared that fewer than twenty out of the
otal population of more than 5000 persons
listed the station all day, and these for the
most part were negroes.
Little knots Of persons gathered upon
he uptown streets and laughed and joked
bout the terror" their former leader would
upon his return.
Shortly after 4 O'Clock it was announced
hat Dowie would not arrive in the city
or several days and the members of the
'hurch were jubilant. Dowie's fail ure
O make good his threat and return to !
rive. out Voliva and his supporte RS in .
pired them with renewed confidence, and q
hey we're certain that their former leaders '
had passed. =
Surrounded by his ass ociate overseers, !
OLIVIA spent the entire day in the council !
hamber of the administration building. :
II is firmly haliaIal h1, ,.onSIa. II
( the Zion church that Dowie will never +
gain set foot in Zion City. 1t is thought
hat threats of such serious exposures
'ould be made against him that rather
face them he will consent to leave s
he country. d