The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-06
ZION CITY WILL.
RESIST THE STATE
Leader Voliva Says They Will
Die Before They Submit
to Vaccination
PERFECT CITY NOT
IN PERFECT ACCORD
Two Factions Strive for Con-
troll, But BOLIVIA Has Now
Bought UP the
Town

ZION CITY, ILL. March 6,-The
roll of muffied drum, the peal OF
the great bell In the tabernacle and
a hasty gathering OF he faithful, may
bring Zion City-ths perfect city or
John Alexander Dowie and his sue
cessor. Wilbur Glenn Voliva-into
armed insurrection against the state
of Illinois. or may precipitate armed
civil war among the believers in the
prophet.
Two grave periis beset Zion City
and her haif-starved people. In rage
are desperate. The first peril Is the
order of the State Board of Health
to vaccinate every person In the city
An order the Zionists have voted TO
? resist ito the death" The second IS
the internecine strife In the ranks OF
zionists that has already led to serious
rioting on the streets apd the station
ing Of armed guards to prevent an
outbreak on the part Of the independ-
ents.
Zion City is divided into two fac
.tions. one OF which, headed by Wilbur
Glenn voliva. IL for following the rigid
rules laid down by Prophet Dowie.
These include prohibition of the sale
OF cigars, cigarettes. oysters. soda wa
ter, pork and drugs. and prevent dane
ing and other forms OF lighter amuse-
ment
The independent faction favors
more relaxation Tor the people
TWO years ago the independents
won in the election and since then
cigars, cigarettes, pork and drugs
have been sold within the CITY. Last
week Noliya secured, hy purchase IN
the courts. control OF Zion City, Inn
mediately he posted an immense sign.
which read:
Zion city---The Perfect City.
NO tohacco~-~no whiskss~-no beer
no theatres-no doctors--no drugs
no pork-~no oysters,
"A clean city for the people
Then. gathering SOC of the faithful
abont him, he paraded The streets OF
Zion and was attacked by the lade-
pendents. Several heads were smash
ed in the subsequent riot.
Last night two giant negro Ztontsts,
armed with Wiachesters guarded Vol
Twas sign. and to-day four other men.
similarly armed. took their places.
Resist Vaccination to Last.
At a meeting in the tabernacle. pre-
sided over by Soliva, the faithful de-
cided to take matters into their own
hands.
The order OF the State Board OF
Health. directing every person III the
city yRccinatee. Was read IL was de-
eided to resist the order to the last.
We. will suffer imprisonment. and.
even death. before we will let the au-
thorfties vaccsnate u.s." declared the
Zionlsts.
1t was decided to station an armed
guard In the tabernacle with a drum.
The appearance OF the State author
tiles TO vaccinate the Zionists will be
a signal for the beating of the drum.
and the Zionists are thereupon to app
pear at the tabernacle. armed TO re-
sist.
X similar signaa VITA eaif tire faith
full together. still armed. to resist any
j movement or the part al the indepegf-
dents. Armed guards were also sent
to guard the Fol.vn house night and
day. and negroes with Winchesters
have taken up their station.
In an interview to-day Voliva de-
olared these guards would be main
tanned until the city election OF April
is. when the faithful declare they VIII
defeat the independents. THE inde-
pendents---the infidels, l should say
secured control two years ago, and
so shameful has been their rule that
more than forty families have left the
city," said voliva to-day. we are
in control now. and win return to the
good old order OF things. In the next
election we will skin them alive and
hang their hides up to dry"
The independents declare they do
not intend to be driven from the city
and will resist voliva's orders 10 the
last.
Frank Newell. a one-armed store
keeper, IL suffering from critical in
juries sustained when he was beaten
by the faithful because he was sus-
pected OF selling oysters. Deacon Theo-
dore FAIRLY and Layman Isaac Mills
have been arrested on the charge Of
being his assailants.
Ii Is said the lace and other indus
tries OF Zion City have been neglect
ed. and that as a result there IL great
suffering among tho people. Few chin.
neys are smoking. showing lack OF
fuel, and the grocers report that the
sale OF food has fallen to the very
minimum because the people have
not the money to buy.
voliya announced to-day that he had
ordered his attorney, George Field. to
prosecute every independent who par
ficipated In Saturdays assault upon the
paradinx faithful, Efforts TO arrest the
independents. 1t IL declared, will be
FAafxfed with force.