The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1906-04-06
WICKED APOSTLE
Ziopists Want Nothing to Do
Win elijah III"
MANY SERIOUS CHARGES
Hypocrisy, Tyranny, Injustice
and POlygamOuS Teachings
Among Them New Prophet
ReignS Over Zion City

Chicago. April 3.-Formal announce
ment of the overthrow of John Alex
ander Dowie was made last night by
Overseer Speicher, who presided ovel
meeting of 800 members Of the Chris
tan Catholic church in Zion in the
tabernacle at Zion City. The meeting
opened with the quotation by various
| church dignitaries of passages from the
Bible expressive of the sentiment which
! has grown up against the sef-styled
Elijah III and First Apostle John Alex
ander Dowie.
The former leader is suspended from
membership in the church he founded,
shorn of his temporal possessions as
far as they are located in Zion City, the
home of his church, and warned to ac-
cept the situation quietly lest worse
things befall him.
The active revolt against the leader
ship of DOwie was foreshadowed Sun
day, when Overseer Voliva, who had
been placed by Dowie in charge of the
church while he sought health in ia
maica and Mexico, announced that he
would no longer accept the orders of
Dowie, who had, he declared, grossly
mismanaged the affairs of the church.
The members of the church, including
the wife and son of Dowie, agreed to
stand with him.
The first move looking to his over
throw was made yesterday by Voliva.
who holds power of attorney from
Dowie. In company with several other
officers of the church, Voliva fastened
to Waukegan, the county seat of Lake
county, in which Zion City Is situated.
and filed a warranty deed transferring
to Alexander Granger all the real estate
held by Dowie in Zion City. He also
executed a bill of sale to Deacon
Granger putting him in possession Of
all the personal property of Dowie, in
Guiding his horses and carriages, books,
and even his bed. Later in the day
Granger conveyed these to VOliva and
at nightfall the Overseer appointed by
Dowie had not only succeeded him as
the head of the church, but was the
holder of all of his property as well.
The following message was then sent
to Dowie, informing him of the change
in the situation:
"Dowie, Ocotlan, Jalisco, Mex.
Telegram received here and Chi
cago. Practically all, including Gin
cinnati representatives, endorse VO
Iivo,s admin ctro+iop Spaiohar'S roir-
statement and Changers retention, en-
phatically protesting against your eX-
travagence, hypocrisy, misrepresenta-
lions, eXaggeratiOns, tyranny and in
justice. You are hereby suspended
from Office and membership for polyga-
nous teaching and other grave charges.
See letter. Quietly retire. Further in,
reference will precipitate complete
exposure, rebellion, legal proceedings.
Your statement of stupendously mag.
nificent financial outlook is extremely
foolish in view of thousands suffering
through your shameful mismanage.
ment Zion and creditors will be pro
tected at all COSTS"
Regarding the polygamous teachings
in the message to DOwie.
Overseer Voliva declared that he would
issue a statement regarding them later
when Dowie had been given an oppor-
tunity for reply. He said, however,
that the teachings had not been public.
but were of a private character.
It is generally believed by the officers
of the church that the depOsed leader
will make a fight to recover his lost
power. If this is done, they declare the
matter will go TO the courts.
Dowie's project for the establishment
Of a colony in Mexico will be aban-
doned by the new administration An
allowance will be given to Dowie suffi-
Client to maintain a residence i'm Mex
leo if he so desires. or he will be re-
ceived by the new officers Of the church
as common citizen should he elect
to return and take up his residence in