Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-03-28

From the Missouri Republican We take the
| following There Is an Iowa colony that
seems to come nearer the realization ofman :
long dream Of peace and bliss on earth than
any other similar community that ever exist
ed. They actually believe they have solved
the problem Of combination and co-oueration.
They call themselves Amanes.'' and are
Germans, dating back their organization 200
years or more. \ colony Of them came to
this country aboutIiorty wears ago and settled
upon an old Indian reservation of6 ,000acres.
near Buffalo, y. y They found it too small
for their numbers and purpo-es, and moved
West. They have now 10000 beautiful
acres on the banks of the Iowa river. about
seventy miles from the MiSsissippi-wood-
land and prairie pleasantly diversified. They
went to this place sixteen years ago. and
have made wonderful progress in agriculture
and various other industries
The colony now numbers about 800.
They have everything in the way of property
in common, but recognize the accepted forms
OF family life, and each family has separate
house or apartment. Those who ioin the
community contribute their property to the
common stock, and if they become dissatis-
fed they receive back Just what they put in
without interest or wages. and leave. So
property cannot well become bone Of con-
tention, and no one can regard himself
prisoner when he Is free to 20 where he
pleaseS. The objects Of the A1lanes Society
are religious association, industrial and do
nestle co-operar ion and the special advance
ment OF the useful arts. The members dress
plainly, live plainly, build plainly but sub
stantially, and are in no way ornamental.
They have extensive VINEYARDS. make and
drink wine and lager beer. and d runkenness
Is unknown among them. They appear to
nave ne wees Whatever, commit no crimes.
and have no Use for courts. There IS. how
ever. committee Of arbitration to settle mi
nor disputes when they arise. AZ they some
times do
The government Is administered and the
whole business Of the community is super
yised by board Of thirteen trustees. who
are elected by the votes fall I'll adult popu
latlon, and hold the common pro perty. Each
department Of industry has its L manager. who
IS responsible to the board Of trustees bv
whom he Is appointed This is what they
nave done IN sixteen years. III evfound wild
ands, and beg N their work just where Ma
ure left off hers They have bridged the
iyer, made good roai ). planted hedges of
White willow, built a canal nearly nine miles
length, nearly parallel with IL river. to
upply their needed water pOwe r: several |
During mills, wooden factories, machine
hops, starch, sugar and vinegar manufac-
orles. all fitted out with fine machil lery made |
Y their own machinists. They h ave built |
We villages on the tract, and two of them are |
iatlons for the Rock Island and Pae iic Rail
1ads, which come to theirdoors. I hey have
God school houses and plain churches. and
To gram elevators at the railroad stations.
lch Of capacity for storing 500 % bushels
gram. The children are kept at school
ntl they are fourteen; and then they are
'ught trade or agriculture. and their edu-
Iuon Is continued in night schools. English
taught, but German Is the medi um of COM
unlcation in business and social life. Their
'!lglous services are very simple, consisting
rne!paily OF reading the Scriptures, prayer
ID singing, and they have some good voices
r the latter. The women assist in light
Indoor work, especially in vineyards Early
aFr.iages are discouraged. and me are not
'nsldered Of suitable age for wedlo ok until
icy attain the maturity of IS years There
great deal of intelligence in IL is com
unity, but no brilliancy of any kind