Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-12
ACoLossus OF HIS TYPE.

Dowie Is dead and cold at Zion City.
He lived long enough to see the
contagious hysteria that he and his
disciples misnamed religion we'll on its
way to a normal condition. He died
a discredited old man, shorn of his
power and with few to do him rever-
ence. His wife and son estranged, torn
by greed separated from its pelf, when
he died he was only a poor old man,
az friendless and almost as despised as
any pauper. The city he founded had
long been anxious to be rid of him; ms
old time adherents were his enemies;
men denied his sanity. His fake had
fiattened out and there was nothing
left him but death. And among those
whom he had ruled and those who had
watched his career in wonderment
of mingled amaze and contempt, there
was little mourning, ard much
relief, when he was finally out
of the way. Unlike Falstaff. he
babbled not OF green fields, but
the last moments of his dying de-
lirium told that his mind was busy lily
ing over his assumption Of prophetic
power and harangueing an imaginary
herd Of his dupes. Like Napoleon, tho
shorn Of his power, he died "at the
head of the army
His was q marvellous exhibition or
one-man power. How he gained such
great ascendency over his devotees is
incomprehensible. He was not gen.
erous. but selfish to singular degree;
not persuasive, but domineering; not
kindly, bnt cruel after a modern fash
ion. Still men and women came IN
droves to lay their fortunes and their
mites at his feet. They made him the
arbiter of their lives Wives and hus-
bands, bound by the ties of years, sep
arated at his nod. Children were for
saken. He ruled as a despot and no
autocrat of the Russias or king OF Da-
honey ever ruled more despotically.
He was imperial He gathered the
wealth and the people to found a city.
In his hands visionary dreams became
practical realities. What was the Sc
cret Of his power?
Dowie was the high financier Of re-
ligious graft He can scarcely be
classed with religious vagarists, for he
was unusually wise and prudent in all
that concerned his gains. He never
lost sight Of the main chance. He kept
order, cultivated thrift among his sat
elites, because he profited by them.
Dowie capitalized faith. He made 1t
pay. It has been only few years
since he controlled millions and the
means Of securing more millions. Fam
atics are not business men. Dowie
vas no fanatic, but the promoter OF
'anaticism to his own profit. King OF
.anatics he was still an alien.
In his way he was a marvel. 1t Is
likely that when history takes stock of
lin in cold blood after his cult has
lied and his adherents have scattered,
hat it will list him, not as mis-
aiken man, but as bad one and q
CRATER. He was one type of success
Is Mr.. Hartman is another. He sue
,eeded for himself, inasmuch as he
gained power and wealth. But let it
1ot be forgotten that he died as the
.ool dieth, and left nothing behind but
divided and disgusted city of dupes
md a bad memory. II any visit his
grave, curiosity and not kindness will
prompt the pilgrimage. His life and
ais success are simply a warning to
better men who are inclined to make
he end justify the means and permit
greed to become predominating i'm
=. b. H.