Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-08-17

stances; how difficult it was for the
poor, and even those of small means.
to support themselves and their
families, to say nothing of attaining
to the social position that merit
should entitie them. In the kind
ness of his heart he began to think
about adopting some plan by which
relief could be rendered. But he
could think of none that could be
successfully carried out within the
narrow and crowded limits of the
Netherlands. So it occurred to him.
that emigration to some new coun-
try would be the only practicable
means of reaching the end desired.
LII this view of the case he associated
with himself another minister of
some eninence and ability, and to-
gether they made diligent efforts to
! inform themselves Of the natural.
social, and political conditions of the
various countries that might become
an asylum for the poor and oppressed.
But previous to directing public
attention to the subject, they wrote a
| letter to the minister of colonies,
asking for vessels and q free passage
to the island of Java, and for per-
mission to make free settlement
there. On receiving a reply to the
effect that the government was not
disposed to permit such settlements
in her East Indian possessions, they
/ turned their attention to America,
and among other portions of this
continent, at first favorably thought
Of, as Il location for Il colony, WAS
Texas, but after obtaining all the
information they could, relating to
its geography, climate, DC, it was
decided to betoo warm; Missouri was
also had in view, but the existence
Of slavery there, at that time, forbade
f, its choice as a location. Finally,
Iowa, the youngest sister in the
family of States, was chosen as the
land of refuge.
Nothing more now remained but
to enlist the interest Of sufficient
number of others To form q colony
self sustaining in its corporation.
The first meeting for this purpose
was held at Leersdam, July, 1916,
the next at Ulricht, in December Of
the same year. At this meeting an
organization was effected, Henry
Z. Scholte being elected president,
a. }. Betten, vice president, and
Isaac Overcamp,s secretary. a board,
or committee, was also appointed,
whose duty it WAS to receive mem
bers, regulate the supply of provis-
ions, and arrange for means Of trans
portation. This board consisted OF
four members, G.. II. Overcamp, c..
+. Lecoquc, John Reedfeldt, and ~.
Wigny. In the reception of mem
bers, the board was confined to GER
tain conditions, to-wit: No profane,
immoral, or Incorporate person
could become q member of the colo
ny, nor any avowed atheist, skeptic,
or Roman Catholic. Another i'm
portant condition was, that all mem
bers who could command the means,
should take charge of one or more
poor but worthy persons, or families,
who desired to go.
Governed by these rules, the or
ganization rapidly increased in num-
bers, Notwithstanding the we'll known
natural tenacity with which the
human heart clings to the associa-
tons Of its native land. In major
ity of instances, it requires the strong
est will, the most determined resO-
luton, backed by stern necessity and
hope for the better, to leave forever
the only spot on earth that has ever
been dear to him, the home Of his
birth. Yet, by the spring following
liS47) the association numbered about
one thousand three hundred persons,
and between seven and eight hun
bred were prepared for the journey.
Four sailing vessels were chartered
to carry them to Baltimore; and early
in April three of the ships sailed
from Rotterdam and one from Am
sterdam. The voyage occupied about
fifty days, more or less, as the vessels
did not all reach port at the same
time; but in the early part Of June
they all landed at Baltimore, except
nine persons who had died during
the passage. Here they were soon
Joined by Mr.. Scholte, who, with
his family, had come by steamer.
Their conveyances from Baltimore
4 ~.