The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-06
THE OHIO FREE LOVERS.

Progress or Free Love and Passional Attrac-
ton In OhiO-Arrest OF Nine Of the Disciples
ON q Charge OF Adultery-Thc Town Of Bcr-
Iin Heights the Abode Of the Free Lovers
A Convention or the Progressa0nists, and its
Indignation mt the Backward Condition Of
tho Social systena-Mrs. sophronia Powers'
Enortsln Favor or Progress-The Free Low
ers Somewhat Worldly Minded and Specu-
Iative-A Woman Married to Everything
that Wears Breeches-Free Love ResOiu-
ti0ns-Woman not 70 he Interfcrcd with I'm
the Regulation or her Love and Maternal
Nature-The Place Broken UP, SC.
OUR sANDUsKY CORRESPONDENCE.
SASpusKy Ohio, Nov %, 1857.
This city and vicinity have been in paroxysm Of modern
progression resulting from the sudden collapse Of free
love institution, which has been in existence in Erie coun
ty for year, has since become known, though
but few that this natural elimination Of black
repubhcansm, aholtonism, dsunionism, Boomersm and
spruasm which have their stronghold in the West in
Northern Ohio, existed among US as philosophy until
the grand explosion which took place the 10th
instant, when four women and hve men, identified
with the movement Berlin Heights taken into
tody charge Of adultery and taken before the
authorities Of this city for preliminary examination. All
OF the accused parties hold this modern smatc
strosity originally unfoded in this country by the Brs
bane Greeley school Of philosophers and attery expound
ed by stephen Pearl Andrews and Mrs. Cove Nichols
and their disciples The free love league which existed
in New York two years since, believe, was the last
pin knocked down by popular indignation, and New York,
so been informed by the press has been
without free love club of the philosophical order But
the idea, seems, after transpaDted TO this
State, where has been nursed by two schools Of sma
cuuralststhe spritualists on the one hand and the
cialists the other-he being the supernatural
haop tbor
Of ghosts and other acknowledging that they af
fected with this moral measles in the natural way.
The free lovers whose leaders here days in
limbo probably convinced that there is limit to
individual freedom and that there difference between
liberty and license.
monthly magazine published for years at Green
vile, Darke county, in this State but which removed
to Berlin Heights two months since Berlin Heights an
nostentatous little village OF thirty houses situated
about three miles from Berlin station on the Cleveland
and Toledo Railroad. Until the present time
it has been celebrated for nothing in particular,
though from its newly formed association it s nov
favored with ephemerai fame. Here Francis Barr!
and his wife, Cordeia Barry and Joseph Treat resided
One day they carried off in fit Of modern philoss
ply, and under some inluence-he idea of speculang
town lots, whatever wasthey became inspired with
the idea that Berlin Heights was TO become the grand cen
trail squatng ground Of hrsute philosophy, whence
TO radate the benign light Of the dpensaton which
to convince the world Of the beauties of loose moas
and easy virtue.
Eve the people of England" said the three ailors Of
Tooley street and Francis and Cordea Barry and joseph
Treat In the OF science called meeting of all free
people assemble at Berlin Heights in October 1866 to
consider the amentable condition OF the universe gene
raj and the United States in particular. The melancholy
evidences Of the worlds deprayity were instanced
at some length in the Convention. The fact that
men and women had but single wife or husband
respectively fact that made the big hearts
OF these philosophers melt with sympathetic emo
tons. That children as general thing, knew their own
fathers fact which called forth the most emphatic
protests such shocking depravy and the morbid
timenalty which chung 10 the associations around the
social system Of such stumbling block in the path
OF modern progress In view Of these facts the Conven
ton concluded that the world fool and that Berlin
Heights should be turned into asylum for IDIOTS in
order that the world might be doctored for It's imbeciiy
and be regenerated under the inspiring touch OF loose
The Convention gave impetus 10 this movement,
though It's progress SLOW During the winter two
young philosophers named Moore sweed the list Of free
lovers TO five persons but between the sexes
four 10 oneshowed unpleasant preponderance Of mas
culnity. In April, however, Mrs. Sophrona Powers,
spr,uo free lover arrived at Berlin Heights, and leased
the village hotel, which at became under her
pees the headquarters OF philosophy and the travel
ling public. Mrs. Powers rs woman Of no
little strength Of character. Being unpopular
in place where had previously resided OF
her ultra views aud hearing that the indignation OF the
people was TO be manifested against her by violence she
purchased revolver two, which she carried with her
constantly the day and slept with AZ nght-prohably
because she found It TO be bedfeow suited 70 her
belligerent nature The accessions, however during
the not large, though the visiters
merous-probaby because the chances were limited
there in which philosophy would pay
In September a call published IN the Social Reroiu
honi the organ of the movement, for another
ton to be held at Berlin Heights. The document little
remarkable for its dual aspect the side being pseudo
philosophical and the other worthy Of fancy stock deal
er In Wall street They acknowledge the difficulties which
are liable 10 interrupt them, and yet they have faith In
their success Though they state Il 10 he the business OF
socialists 10 show not what can be done with capital but
30 show that harmony In social relations practicable,
and the fact that they intend 70 illustrate the idea at Berlin
Heights yet Ia the next paragraph they speak Of their not
being able 10 command large amount Of capital, though
IL promised 60 them freely and fast there
seemed
be no longer question. speaks Of the great induce
mens 10 those who have means 10 invest IN social en-
terprse The federation Of public sentiment the yicni
~ s alluded to- and they recte the fact that this toers
ton win be very readily appreciated by the free lovers
They urge gently that whilst they doAG all in
their power 20 bring around the day when there
will be rcmnneraiive work for the present there
is greater need for those wro have cash rather than
hands and they give the delightful that those
who must rely upon their resources They
state however, that those who have only the ability 10
work might find q place in some attractive group but
that they at their risk that Ia
their only law and that they will not work with those
however good, who not attractive. They announce
that socialist Of ability and energy II about 10
establish water in connection with the movement
and as part Of H. 70 be conducted on strictly hydropahc
and sociastc fsoci opathy, dodge in medicine)
principles and finally, that the hotel at Berlin Heights
IN possession q group Of socialists Appended TO the
call some thirty six names &C men aud women,
Of whom are among those arrested.
But whilst this movement was gong on At Berlin
rrass,op was f.s falling into ,he embrace 81 free love
Al Ravenns, in this state, convention og spiritualists
was held, whittier Mrs. Carrie Lewis the wife Of
chant In Cleveland wen-she being free lover, based
upon exclusive Information received IN her communion
with the ghosts Mrs. Lewis astonshed the Convention
by announcing that she married 10 everything
that breeches, and though several masculine
ghost worshippers, who we're present, with their
wives, (as in duty bound under the crcumstanccs)
dissvowed the relationship, and though the Con
yention succeeded in passing resolution rcpudiating
free love, yet Mrs Lewis was strongly backed in her
bold position, which had the effect ~ give deal ~ Dutch
courage the chicken hearted would he free lovers and
the result that the number Of acknowledged proscyes
among the ghost worshppers has materially increased
The sentiments uttered by Mrs lewis o. the Of
the editor of the Cleveland Hrdld who took exception
her doctrine IN not particularly complimentary
But Mrs lewis not 30 be put down thus, seized goose
quill and made at the editor in the following style
Nix EDroR--As have been assaled IN your paper FOR
declaring what honestly believe 90 be the great prnci
pes Of Divine life feel you viii not deny the right OF
speaking through the same channel.
What right Ravcnna Cleveland people have 70 call
meetings and Tss resolutions condenstory Of sentiments
feel called upon 10 utter IN meeting given out publicly
Tor free expression Of thought and discussion Of principles
- unknown TO me do not belong to the spirtuass or