Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-07
THE DOWIE SENSATION
HEAD OF ZION CHURCH HURRY
ING HOME TO FIGHT.

LAREDO, Texas, April John Alexan-
der Dowie and party arrived here today on
schedule time from Mexico City. Dowie
and his followers, numbering five, occupied
the regular Pullman coach. John Lewis,
who is Dowie's first lieutenant, and who
has supervised all matters connected with
Zion's business affairs and aspirations in
Mexico, looked after the transfer of the
baggage of the party in Nuevo Laredo,
Mexico.
: Upon arrival of the train at the inter-
national bridge United States Marine Hos
pital Surgeon DIR. Hamilton, also an i'm
migration official, were admitted to Dowie' S
drawing room. and after the usual ques-
tions and answers retired. Mr.. Lewis, who
was with Dowfe at the time, acted as
spokesman, and stated that the party had
not visited any infected district, and had
passed through Mexico quickly, so there
was absolutely no danger of typhus infec-
ton. In his response to the immigration
official Dowie took oath that he was an
American citizen. He especially empha-
sized the fact that he had taken out the
final papers by renarking: Il am an
American citizen and am proud of 1T.
Dowie was somewhat indfsposed as a re-
suit of his tedious journey, but Is ENJOYING
on the whole very good health, his trip to
Jamaica and to the shores of Lake Chap-
ala, near Guadalajara, having greatly
benefited him.
Dowie's Combativeness Aroused.
Mr. Lewis was asked if the recent turn
of affairs in Zion City had in any way been
detrimental to Dowies health. He replied
that it had not On the contrary, it had
been beneficial if anything, as 1t had
aroused his combativeness and acted as a
sort of tonic.
Dr. Dowie did not arise even upon arrival
on this side of the Rio Grande but re-
mained in his berth, the Pullman which he
occupied being coupled onto an outgoing In
ternationaI and Great Northern train.
I DR.. Dowie was asked by the correspond
ent of the Associated Press for an express
sion of his views. He stated that he had
given the Associated Press representative
in Mexico City an interview, and did not
care at the present time to say anything
additional. He said he stood by that inter-
view. and could neither add to nor detract
from 1t.
The Associated Press correspondent In an
interview with Mr. Lewis, asked for an ex-
preston regarding the statement published
In a Chicago newspaper to the effect that
Dowie was bringing $40, 100000 in gold, sew
eral scrolls of parchment, upon which were
City. Mr.. Lewis did not care to make any
statement. He also refused to discuss the
report that Dowte is interested in Mexican
mines. The party will spend one day at
San Antonio before proceeding north.
Dowie's opposers Busy.
CHICAGO, April 7.-While John Alexander
Dowie is travelling from Mexico to Zion City
measures are being taken by the officers of
Zion Church to render him absolutely pow
eraess before he can arrive among them. 1t
Is asserted that by the time he reaches
Zion City the last vestige of his authority
will have disappeared, except in SO far
as he may restore 1t through legal proceed
ings.
Three hundred officers of the church have
signed statement upholding General Over
seer Voliva in his fight against the First
Apostle" Each member of the Zion City
| community will tomorrow be asked to swear
allegiance to the present officers of the
church, and at the mass meeting which Is
to be held in the afternoon all of the
people will be asked to put their signatures
to document renouncing their former
leader.
Together with this action. Overseer Vol
Iva has declared that he will announce In
detail the alleged misappropriatton by
Dowie OF funds aggregating 81, $40 600