“Elijah” Dowie.

Manawatu Herald, 12 May 1904, Page 2

“Elijah” Dowie.

THE “ PROPHET ” PAYS AN O VERDUE £4OO.

Perhaps the most unwelcome renewal of acquaintances experienced by “ Elijah ” Dowie during his brief, but stormy, visit to Australia, took place at Freemantle (says a Western Australian paper), when the “ Prophet ” was met by Mr Frank Allum, and presented with an old-standing protnisory note for £4OO. Mr Allum, who is a well-known builder and contractor, residing at Claremont, was the intimate friend of Mr Dowie in Sydney in the eighties, and for many years practically clothed and kept the “Restorer.” Knowing the poverty of Mr Dowie when he left for America Mr Allum gave up all hope of ever obtaining payment of his promissory note for £4OO, which he held, but when he read in the press accounts of the Zionist's immense wealth he immediately wrote to America demanding payment, but not even an answer was sent by the General Overseer to the letters of his early benefactor. The visit of MrJßfryie to Australia, however, gave Mr Allum an opporluiity, which was not lost. Mrs Dowie and the “ Prophet’s ” son, Gladstone Dowie, were first approached on passing through Fremantle on their way to the Bast, and they promised to bring the matter before the Zionist head. Many weeks having passed, however, and nothing having been heard from Mr Dowie, Mr Allum telegraphed him to Adelaide, threatening to serve him with a writ if the money were not paid. This had the effect of obtaining from the debtor a promise to pay at Fremantle when on his way back to America Mr Allum, in company with a clerk from Mr Stawell's office, was waiting on the Fremantle wharf when the Mongolia arrived, and as soon as the anchor was dropped the vessel was reached in a rowing boat. Mr Gladstone Dowie was waiting for the party, and after cross-ex-amining Mr Allum as to whether he would be willing to accept £4OO he conducted him to his father’s cabin, but refused to allow the solicitor’s clerk to accompany them. Mr Dowie, immediately he caught sight of Mr Allum, grasped him fervently by the hands, saying: “ This should have been paid before, Allum. This should have been paid before.” “ But, why didn't you pay it pertinently asked Mr Allum, The “ Prophet,” however, seemed to have no desire to go into details, all that could be got out of him being, “ This should have been paid before,”

During his interview with Mr Dowie Mr Allum produced one of many of the “ Prophet’s ” dishonoured cheques he had in his possession.

“ Shall I pay it ?” asked Mr Dowie.

“ No, you need not,” replied Mr Allum.

Immediately the cheque was torn into atoms by “ The Restorer,” and Mr Allum passed out of the cabin with his blessing and four hundred sovereigns.

“ The Prophet,” in addition, gave his creditor his blessing after taking the precaution to obtain a release from all indebtedness to Mr Allum since “ the beginning of the world.”