Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1854-10-20
The Ebeussers.

The following account Of this curious
people is from the Niagara Democrat:
II has lately been announcedthat thisei
n,,lar and yet permanently successful CON-
muity are DESTROYS OF breaking up their es-
adjustment in order to remove to some OF
the new States or Territories at the West
where they can obtain larger domain and
perhaps with the additional motive or be-
cause more isolated than they can be IN
their present homes. 1t is stated that they
have been offered $1,000, 900 for their prop
erty, which is $500 600 short oftheir asking
price. A#, -.
Their domain is eight miles from the city
Of Buffalo, on the Old Seneca Reservation.
The agents of the Society purchased about
5000 acres Of land of the Ogden Company
soon after the Gllett Treaty, in 1912; and
about 5000 have been added BY subsequent
purchases. A large portion OF it is very
large fields more thoroughly cultivated than
any lands in Western New York; indeed II
is almost garden, instead of field cultivation.
Their farm buildings, especially their i'm
mense barns, are specimens Of convenience
and capacity, in all their appointment, which
we have never seen excellcd in this class Of
buildings.
They reside principally in three separate
villages, that have quiet rura aspect; the
buildings Of brick aud wood, plainly but sub
tantialiy constructed. There is valuable
water-power upon the streams We have nan
which they have improved by the erect ion
of aw-mills, wooden and cotton manufac-
tories, and for other manufacturing pur-
poses They excel in wooden manusac-
lures, broadcIoths, cassimeres, and fiunnels,
especially; and they have among them
some superior artists. They have large
f,ocks and herds; and what is singular in
this country, their sheep are under the care
of shepherds. Order, system, and nea,ness
characterize their wide domain throughout.
Work, work, work. is the order of the day
with them-industry as steady asthe move
menis in a treadmill: and in their working
ranks, without much distinction Of sex in
field and forest, gardens, manufactures and
mechanic shops, arc embraced all ages from
= years upwards. The population is now
about 1000.
It is communist, or common-p- operty
association, of distinct religious type
but what kinds Of Pro estan,s,
we are unable to state. Whatever their
faith is, they are extremely devout; and as
se should Judge, sincere. and even severe in
heir religious observances They mar
y" and are given in .marriage;" but what
Mill be regarded as most extraordinary, they
IRE practical Mai,husians when the econo-
my Of their organization demands i. We
nave been told that when they contcmpa- |
ed emigration TO this country, in view OF
heir then condition, and what they must
ncounrer in fixing new home, they con-
luded there shou Id be To increase OF their
population by births, for given number of
ears; and the regulation strictly observ-
ID. But glance at the tiocks of ''juve-
tiles" in their community now, would be
that to multiply and replenish
he earth was part OF their religious
reed.
The organization had its rise in Germany
on the banks OF the Rhine, aud has exist ed
nearly an hundred years They Lave an
lected board Of Governors or elder thirty
n number-upon whom devolve all the leg
station OF the community; but they appoint
single executive officer, upon whom de-
olives the entire superintendent: OF their
'aried enterprises. In addition TO their
'ther enterprises, they are becoming large
money lenders. We know little Of the de-
ails of the internal policy OF thes9 very
uccessful and fourisbing communists, be
'ond the fact that it is entirely voluntary
member of the community is atany time
IT liberty TO withdraw from it, and TO draw
tut OF the common funds all that he has con-
and its proportionate increase.
Our readers who are familiar with their
,ibles--as we presume they all are-will
eadily infer what is the scriptural deriya-
ion of the name "Ebenezers."