Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1907 — DIED AS HE HAD LIVED [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DIED AS HE HAD LIVED

True to His Belief and with His Face to His Foes Dowie, Passes. END OF A REMARKABLE CAREEN Before His Death He Forgives All His Enemies, Apparently. Sings “Joy Cometh in the Morn” the Night Before He Goes Beyond the Veil Funeral Arrangements. Chicago, March 12.—New “prophets” arising on every side are creating a condition of bedlam in Zion City while the body of its founder, first prophet aud apostle, lies in Shiloh house awaiting burial. Chaos brought about by Dowle's death is increasing momentarily in consequence and the holy city of the north shore is in a state bordering on frenzy. Chicago, March 11. —John AlexuDder Dowle Is dead. The founder of the “Christian Catholic church,” passed away after a most active career, at the age of 60, a prematurely broken man, at a time of life when his powers might well have been at their flood tide. He died in Shiloh House, his home at Zion City, and died like the fighter that he was, with his face to

the foe, nnafrald. Before the end came he forgave his rebellious followers and his Anal words, which could not be understood distinctly, contained a reference to Wilbur Voliva, who succeeded him ag jgenepi 1 jni£rpssx_gnjL .TEM EC-

garded bitterly by Dowie as an iugrate and a usurper. He Promises to Return. To the awe stricken faithful few who wept at his bedside he promised that he would return to earth in n thousand years. He died as he had lived, a firm believer in his exalted position. The man who had raised millions of dollars for the furtherance of his scheme of religion, who at successive periods of his picturesque career had styled himself a prophet, the relrcarnation of Elijah, and at the climax of his ambition announced himself as the “first apostle” of the church his genius had created, unquestionably believed In his dying moments that he wouJd return in the millennium. Died Faithful to His Creed. Dowie was faithful to bis creed to the last and refused to have a physician called. His death was i&aeeful, and followed a period of semi-con-sciousness lasting most of the night. At intervals his mind wandered, but much of the time during his conscious periods he sang familiar hymns In a quavering voice. “JOY COMETH IN THE MORN" Hymn the Dying Man Sang the Night Before Death. During one of his lucid intervals the dying man said in a clear voice; “Yea, I forgive everybody. They are my people. I forgive them all.” He did not mention the name of his wife Jane or his son Gladstone, but once he said during the night: “Yes, I know she has been refractory for eight years, but I forgive her, too.” The end came In themoming hours and with singular appropriateness, for, during the long vigil of the night, the dying man had sung “Joy Cometh in the Morn.” Amid, the former scenes of his greatness, in the heart of the community founded entirely by his genius and magnetic personality, the self-styled prophet died unhonored and almost alone. There were with him less than half a dozen faithful followers, Including paid attendants, and one of them a negro. No kinsman wms at his bedside. His wife and son, repulsed last November when they endeavored to see him, were at their Michigan home, Ben McDhul—practically all that remains of the vast estate gathered by Dowie—when news of the death came. The man who bad healed others eould not cure himself. His indomitable will was forced to submit to the disease wliioh had bad him in its grasp for th>greater part of two years. His faith in his own restoration to health was powerless against the effects of paralysis, dropsy, and a complication of diseases. Strangely enough. Ids closest followers also believed that Dowie would in some miraculous manner recover his health. In a letter to Mrs. Dowie, sent on the evening before Dr. Dowle’s death, his secretary said: "Thp world believes that he la dying, but we feel that he will recover.” Dowie Funeral Services. Chicago, March 14.—The funeral of John Alexander Dowie was held at the

Tabernacle in Zion City. From 9 to 12 o’clock in the morning the body lay In state tn Shiloh house. At 1:30 the private services for the family and the few remaining followers was conducted there by Deacon O. L. Sprecher. The public sevice was held at 2:30 o’clock and an enormous crowd attended. V. V. Barnes delivered the principal address. The ritual was the one nsed by the Church of England, as the Zion church has none. The burial was in Lake Mound cemetery by the side of Dr. Dowle’s daughter, Esther, who was burned to death a few years ago. HISTORY OF EIGHTEEN YEARS Rise and Fall of Dowie Took Place In That Period of Time. Following is the chronology of John Alexander Dowie’s career In the United States: 1890—Arrives in Chicago and begins preaching in the streets. 1892—Establishes a divine healing mission at Stony Island avenue and Sixty-third street. 1894—Opens headquarters and establishes a bank and newspaper at Michigan avenue nnd Twelfth street. 1899—Inaugurates metropolitan crusade, preaching nightly In different parts of the city. Mobbed by hoodlums. I'KjO—Purchases site of Zion City and conducts crusade in England. 1901— Starts factories at Zion City. Declares himself to be Elijah 111, or Elijah the Restorer. 1902 Negotiates for Mexican plantation nnd Texas land for colonization purposes. Refused credit by Chicago merchants. Ordered to refund $50,000 to Frederick Sutton, of New Zealand, who had Invested In Zion. 1903 Receives large contributions and tithes from his people In the famous collection barrel. Leads the Zion Resoration host of 3,000 workers in eight special trains on a religious visitation to New York. Creditors press claims nnd Zion placed In bands of a federal receiver during several weeks. 1904 — Departs on mission around the world, via San Francisco and Australia. Returns six months later and takes title of First Apostle of his Church. 1005—Gets an option on 700,000 acres 0 1 Mexican land and makes trip to complete colonization plans. Stricken with paralysis on his return to Zion City. After a second stroke leaves for West Indies. 1906—Makes Wilbur Glenn VoJlva deputy general overseer of the Christian Catholic church and the Zion industries. Repudiated by Vollva and his people.

JOHN ALEXANDER DOWIE.