Omaha daily bee., 1906-04-03
Wilbur F, Voliva Takes Charge Of ,
Property Of Zion City Church.
DEEDS ARE FILED IN wAUKEsA.
New Leader Acts Under Power Of Attorney
Conferred on Him by Old One.
CHARGES AGAINST FOUNDER OF CHURCH
BE is Accused Of Hypocrisy, Tyranny and
Teaching Of POlygamy.
WARNED TO ACCEPT SITUATION QUIETLY
vOIiva says He Has Acted Clearly
within HE Legal Rights and
for Beet Interests of
Members.

for best Interests of
Members.
CHICAGO, April 2.--The formal announce
ment OF the overthrow OF John Alexander
Dowie was made tonight by overseer John
@. speicher, who presided over meeting
of 5000 members of the church in the taber-
naele at Zion City. The meeting opened
with the quotation by various church digni-
taries OF passages from the Bible expressive
OF the sentiment which has grown up
against the self-styled prophet. The crowd
which filled the great structure and which
formerly answered "yes" and mo" when
Dowie nodded or shook his head tonight
applauded when he was accused. Oyerseer
speicher called out the numbers Of chapters
and verses of scripture and in response the
various church officials and prominent men,
bers who occupied seats upon the platform
quoted the passages called for. The new
dictator of lions fortunes, Wilbur Glenn
Volva, responding to the reference given
him, quoted: Thou shalt not steal" This
sentiment was greeted with vociferous
applause. Mrs. Jane Dowie, wife of the
'Tirst apostle" followed. Thou shalt not
bear false witness against thy neighbor'
was her response. More applause followed.
The congregation then Joined with zest
that seemed TO indicate their belief In the
words Better Days Are Coming"
Gladstone Dowie. son of DIR. Dowie, and
Overseer John Excel then explained to the
audience the new turn of affairs.
Dowie Property Transferred.
John Alexander Dowie, head of the
Christian Catholic church in Zion,"
pended 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
accept the situation quietly lest worse
things befall him.
The active revolt against the leadership
Of Dowie was foreshadowed yesterday when
Overseer Wilbur q. Volivs, who had been
placed by Dowie in charge of the church
while he sought health in Jamaica and
Mexico, announced that ne would no longer
accept the orders OF Dowe. who had, he
declared. grossly mlsmanaged the affairs
OF the church. The members of the church.
including tha wsfe and son of Dowie. agreed
20 stand with Voliva.
The FIRST move looking to his Overthrow
was made early today by Overseer Voliva,
who holds power Of attorney from Dowie
In company with several officers of the
church, voliva fastened to waukegan, the
county seat OF Lake county, in which Zion
City is situated, and filed for record a
warranty deed, transferring TO Deacon Alex
ander 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 prop
erty OF Dowie. including his horses and
carriages. books and even his bed. Later
ia the day Granger conveyed these to
Voliva, and at nightfau the overseer ap-
pointed by Dowie had not only succeeded
him as the head OF the church, but was
the holder OF his property well.
DOwie IL Notified.
The following message was then sent to
Dowie informing him of the change in the
situation:
Dowie. ocotlan, Jalisco. Mexico: Tele-
sicaIiy ali including Cincinnati representa-
tive, endorse Noliva's administration,
speieher's reinstatement, Granger's reten-
tion, emphatically protesting against your
extravaganza, hypocrisy. misrepresenta-
tlOns. exaggerationE, tyranny and injustice.
membership for polygamous teaching and
other grave charges. See letter. Quietly
tate complete exposure, rebellion, legal pro-
ceedings. Your statement OF stupendously
magnificent financial outlook is extremely
through your shameful mismanagement.
Zion and creditors will be protected at all
costs.
general overseer; William II. Piper. over
seer for Chicago; II. f. Csntell, overseer
for United Kingdom: II. d. Brazfeld. vice
president Zion university; Overseer John
Excel. general ecclesiastical secretary, and
John G. speieher overseer for Zion City.
statement by VOIiva.
After sending the telegram to Dowie,
Ovsrseer voliva discussed the proceedings
of the day. He said:
II have acted in the matter under the
power OF attorney which / possess. What
has been done believe TO be for the good
of the church in Zion City and for its
creditors. Legal counsel has been retained
and everything was carried out In accord
anee with their advice. We shall go ahead
and put the AFFAIRS OF Zion City in good
order. II further steps are taken it will
depend on what is done by Dowie. The sit
uation is up TO him as II stands"
Regarding the polygamous teachings men
toned in the message to Dowie, Overseer
Voliva said he would issue a statement
regarding them later, when Dowie had been
aiven an opportunity for reply. He said
however that the teachings had not been
public. but were of private character.
WIN Dowie be received In Zion City II
he cares TO come back" the overseer was
asked.
Never az a lcadef. Tie must behave
himself II he comes hack or he will have
20 look out for himself"
'svin the church send him money to re.
turn7"
The overseer declined 20 answer.
An or the men now prominent in ths
ysanaKement OF the AFFAIRS OF the Zion City
church with the exception OF Overseer vo-
Iva are men with whom Dowie has quar-
relied in the past He dismissed Deacon
speioher from all Of his appointments II
the church and compelled him TO leave zior
city.
In a long message received yesterday by
Voliva and which caused the revolution
Of today. he ordered the instant dismissa
Of Deacon Granger. who Is now all power
fI in directing the affalrs Of the commun
ity Al Zion City. Deacon speicher. who be
fore he became convert 10 the faith Of
the zion city church was a physician. de
elared today that Dowie is sick man. suf
fsrlng with pulmonary trouble. paralysll
and dropsy and occasional delirium.