Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-03
OOW|E's DUPES
At KNOCK FEST
FORMER FOLLOWERS APPLAUD
HIS DOWNFALL
"EIijah II" Suspended From Church
and All the Property, Including
Dowie's Bed, Possessed by
the Enemy
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
CHICAGO, April 2.-The formal an
nouncement of the overthrow of John
Alexander Dowie was made today by
Overseer John G. Speicher, who pre-
sided over a meeting of 1000 members
of the church 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 self-styled prophet. The
crowd which filed the great structure
and which formerly answered Eyes"
and mo- when Dowie nodded or shook
his head, tonight applauded when he
was accused. Overseer Specher called
out the numbers of chapters and verses
of the scriptures, and in response the
various church officials and prominent
members who occupied seats on the
platform quoted the passages called
for.
The new director of zion's fortunes,
Wilbur Glenn Voliva, responding to the
honor given, quoted "Thou shalt not
steal"
This sentiment was greeted with
vociferous applause. Mrs. Jane Dowie,
wife of "the first apostle" followed.
Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbor," was her re-
sponse. More applause followed.
The congregation then Joined with
applause that seemed to indicate their
belief in the words, Better days are
| coming"
Gladstone Dowie, son of DR.. Dowie,
and Overseer Excel afterwards ex-
planned to the audience the new turn of
affairs.
Suspended From Church
John Alexander Dowe, head of the
christian Catholic church in Zion,"
| has been deposed as religious leader,
suspended from membership in the
church he founded, shorn of his tenn
| poral possessions as far as they are
| located in Zion City, the home of his
| church, and warned to accept the situa-
| ton quietly lest worse should befall
! him.
The first movement looking to his
overthrow was made early today by
Overseer Voliva. who has a power of
attorney from Dowie. In company with
several other officers of the church.
| VoliVa hastened to Waukegan, the
county seat OF Lake county, in which
Zion City is situated and filed for rec
ord a warranty deed transferring to
Deacon Alexander Granger all the real
estate held by Dowe 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 books, and even
his bed. Later in the day Granger
| conveyed these to Voliva, and at night
fall the overseer appointed by Dowie
had not, only succeeded him as the head
of the church but was the holder of all
his property as WELL
A message was sent to Dowie in
forming him of the change in the situa-
ton.
Regarding the polygamous teachings
mentioned in the message to Dowie,
Overseer Voliva said he would issue a
statement regarding them later, when
Dowie had been given an opportunity
for reply. He said that the teachings
had not been made public, but were of
a private character.
Twill Dowie be received in Zion City
! if he cares to come back?" the overseer
was asked.
Must Behave Himself
Never as a leader" he said. "He
must behave himself if he comes. or he
will have to look out for himself
"Will the church send him money to
return?"
The overseer declined to answer.
All the men prominent in the man
agement of the Zion church with the
exception of Overseer Voliva are men
with whom Dowie has quarreled in the
past.
1t 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 asserted
today, the matter would go to the
courts.
Dowie's project for the establishment
of a colony in Mexico will be aban-
doned by the new administration of
Zion.
Dowie will be given an allowance,
according to a dispatch from Zion City
tonight, sufficient to maintain a resi-,
dence in Mexico if he so desires, or
he will be received by the new officers
of the church as a common citizen
should he elect to return and take up
his residence in Zion City. No action
under the criminal laws will be taken
against him on account of the funds
he is alleged to have wasted. nor will
any civil action be brought to recover.
If the deposed leader becomes OBJ
streperous, it was stated, his son Glad
stone was prepared to make revela-
tions that would ''startle the world"
No reply to the telegram sent from
Zion City to Dowie is expected tonight,
inasmuch as Dowie is an eight hours
Journey from the telegraph station.
-S--
Dahomey King Privileged
D. A-eooiotad praza