Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1901 — BLOW TO DOWIEISM. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BLOW TO DOWIEISM.

Overseer and Three of His Followers Held Responsible for a Death. The coroner’s jury in Chicago Thursday night returned a verdict holding John Alexander Dowie, H. W. Judd, Mrs. 'Sprecher and Mrs. Bratsch to await the action of the grand jury. They are charged with “criminal responsibility” for the death of Mrs. Judd, wife of H. W. Judd, who was denied medical attendance Mrs. gratach was promptly arrested and sent to the county jail. Dowie, Judd and Mrs. Sprecher could not be found Thursday night. Warrants were issued for their arrest. At South Chicago a mob of 1,000 persons paraded the streets and burned an effigy of Dowie. Dowie, surrounded by 150 members of the Zion guard, entered Judge Tuley’e court room at 10 a. m. E'riday, -and gave

himself up. His bond wns fixed at $lO,000, as was that of Judd, who failed to make an appearance with his leader. Dowie’s bond and Judd’s at SIO,OOO each and those of Mrs. Bratsch nnd Spelcher at $5,000 each were signed by Mrs. Catherine Baettscher, aged 90, and others. Accompanied by 100 of his body guard who marched through the streets singing and shouting, Dowie and his deacons Friday proceeded to the State’s Attorney’s office. An officer tried to arrest Dowie at the court house door, but he was repulsed by the guards. A mob of people gathered about the attorney's office and condemned Dowie. but offered no violence. Ilis guards were ready to die, they said, in his defense. Some hours after Dowie and his followers had given bonds the jury investigating the death of Mrs. Mary L. Christensen made a direct presentment against the Zion Home, and requested the proper authorities to prosecute Dowie for conducting a hospital without a license. Action will be taken at once by the city. An anonymous letter writer informed the police that he was following and would soon assassinate Dowie.

“DR.” JOHN ALEXANDER BOWIE