The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-04-06
VISION SA|OI
"GET DIVORCE"

will John Alexander Dowie submit
quietly to dethronement of will he
fight?" was practically answered in a
telegram to his attorneys late today
in which he instructed them TO take
immediate legal steps to cancel the
power of attorney with which he had
empowered Voliva. These instruc-
tions came twenty-four hours too late
to be of any value as Voliva has al
ready done all ii. can do under the
power vested in him by his now repu'
dated master, but Ii seems to indi-
cate that Elijah Ill" intends to fight.
Undreamed depths of the domestic
turmoil in John Alexander Dowie'5
household were probed today when in
cidents in the history of the 1i5graced
apostles warfare with his wife and
his lieutenants came to light.
Mrs. Dowie, 1t was said, lived the
life of a slave, being forced to wear
mask of smiles before the world
and being treated with cruelty in her
home.
When she displeased Dowie, it is
reported, she told neighbors, she was
sometimes locked in her room with
out any food but bread and water for
days at a time.
In his outbursts of ungovernable
rage Dowie sometimes attacked his
wife and threw dishes, books and
bric-a-brac at her.
The charges of Mrs. Dowie stirred
the whole community.
Mrs. Jane Dowie and Gladstone
Dowie, 1t is said, are preparing de-
tails of the charge against Dowie, ac-
cusing him of cruelty and these will
be made public If he attempts to re-
establish himself in power.
PLANS FOR DIVORCE.
All Zion City today was discussing
the private life of Elijah III and ex-
pressing sympathy for Mrs. Dowie.
Attorneys for Dowie today verified
Il report that Dowie had planned to
divorce his wife and that he had caus-
ed papers to be drawn up to this end
The papers were ready for filing
when the Zion leader was stricken
with paralysis, and are still in exist
ence awaiting his further instruc-
tions.
The lawyers declared that Dowie
said to them when ordering the ac-
ton: 81 have had vision. God has
ordered me to divorce Jane Dowie !
with all haste Draw papers, eharg-
ing her with disloyalty, for in my
vision | say evidence that will sup !
port that claim"
Dowie is said by the attorneys to |
have served notice on his wife of his |
divorce suit but it was kept
secret from Gladstone Dowie for |
time. The son learned of it in ia
maica, it was reported, and this knowl- |
edge caused the split with his father
and Gladstone's return.
Within "a hours of the time when |
he entered Zion City as deputy gen.
9ral overseer, w. G. Voliva, is now
Known to have been placed in posses
sion of a dozen afidavits and letters
hat revealed to him for the first time
he character of the leader who had
appointed him.
The evidence offered is intimated
oy leaders of the colony to have been
and from that date the
overthrow of Dowie assumed form.
AFFIDAVITS FILED.
Ten affidavits signed by servants in
he Dowie household, who for years
had been among his most faithful
followers, were among them. The
etter written to Emmeline Ware by
he first apostle, the contents of
,ther lights upon the inner life of
John A. Dowie were revealed to the
lew overseer.
In the affidavits all of which were
the domestic difficult
les and secret religious teachings of
he man were shown.
Evidences of polygamous teachings
)y DR.. Dowie are being gathered sec
'etly by deacons and overseers. TIE
attractive women of Zion were ap-
)roached on the subject, it is alleged,
IN many occasions. The First Apos-
lie only discussed the matter in his
private study in the administration
He would read extracts
rom the Bible dealing with the sac
'edness and glory of large families
Ind the pleasure of God at the multi
)lication of mankind.
Conversations between Dowle and
members who came to his
home for absolution and teaching aft
II confession also were repeated.
The laying on of hands as proc
iced by the venerable Zion City lead
Or is declared to have brought forth
objections from several women,
whose names are given. They were
quickly silenced by the wrath. of the
,verseer. whose authority they ques-
Toned.
Other details of Dowie's domestic
ife were given, and are reported to
nave been promptly substantiated by
Mrs. Jane DoWie and Gladstone DoWie |