Orders to Disgorge

Southland Times, Issue 17078, 29 October 1902, Page 2

Orders to Disgorge

CHECKMATE FOR A FANATIC OR WORSE. (Per United Press Association.) By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK. Oct. 27. The Probate Court of Chicago 1 as ordered the Rev. Dr Bowie to repay £lO,OOO to the heirs, of Fredk. Sutton, a New Zealander, one of Howie s converts, who died shortly after his arrival in Chicago. (The circumstances ot this affair have already been made public. Mr Sutton, who was a member -of a family wellknown in Southland, in late years became peculiar in several respects. Finally he sold all his possessions, and, citer a short residence in South Invercargill, went to America'. 'There ho came under the influence of the notorious Mr Bowie, an ex-Australinn preacher’ who has gathered a great cloud ot believers—and also much wealth—in Chicago. Mr Sutton hail not been long in that city when his health became poor ; he was removed to Bowie’s hospital and, probably being deprived ot medical skill and subjected to Howie faith-healing nostrums, died, but not before he had executed a will which devised all he possessed to Oowie. A codicil was added, which bequeathed All Sutton’s sister, Sirs Edridge, of Yellow Bluff, Otaiituu, £1000: to Mr John B. Sutton, of Thornbury, £5OO ; to Mr Geo. Sutton, The Willows, £5OO : and to another brother, Charles, a similar amount. When probate of the will was ap,,.'ied for the Judge evidently did not litre the looker things, but was powerless at that stage to intervene. The prompt action of the American Court is eminently satisfactory and, unless Howie lights the matter further, the deceased inc-n’s money should soon be paid to '.hose who are his rightful heirs.