The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-04-26
A Cooperative Community.

This is an Iswa colony that seems to come
nearer the realization of mans long dream
of peace and bliss on earth than any other
similar community that ever existed.
They actually believe they have solved the
problem of combination and cooperation.
They call themselves "Amanes," and are
Germans dating back their organization
200 years or more. A colony of them
came to this country about 40 years ago,
settled upon an old Indian reservation Of
5000 acres, near Buffalo, New York.
They found it too small for their numbers
and purposes, and moved West. They
have now 10000 beautiful acres on the
banks of the Iowa River, about seventy
miles from the Mississippi-woodland and
prairie pleasantly diversified. They went
to this place sixteen years ago, and heve
made wonderful progress in agricu lture
and various other industries. The colony
now number about 1900. They have every
thing in the way Of property in common,
but recognize the accepted forms of fami-
ly life, and each family has separate
houss or apartment. Those who join the
community contribute all their property to
the common stock, and if they become
dissatisfied, they recsive back just what
they put in without interest or wages, and
leave. So property cannot become bone
of contention, and no one can be regarded
a prisoner when he is free to 60 where he
pleases. The objects of the Amane socie.
ty are religious association, industrial and
domestic cooperation, and the special adj
vancement of the useful arts. The men,
bers dress plainly, live plainly, build plain
ly but substantially, and are in no respect
ornamental. They have extensive Vine
yards, make and drink wine and lager beer,
and drunkenness is unknown among them.
They appear to have no vices whatever,
commit no crimes, and h ave no use for
courts. There is, however, committee of
arbitration to settle minor disputes when
they arise, as they sometimes do. The
government is administered, and the whole
business of the community is supervised,
by board Of thirteen trustees, who are
elected by the votes of all adult population,
and hold the common property. Each de-
paTtment of industry has its manager, who
is responsible to the board of trustees, by
whom he is appointed This is what they
have done in sixteen years. They found
wild lands,. and began their work just
were Nature left off hers. They have
bridged the river, made good roads, plant
ed hedges of white willow, built canal
nine miles in length, nearly parallel with
the river, to supply their needed water
power; several Touring mills, woelen fac
tories, machine-shops, starch, sugar, and
vinegar manufactures, all fitted out with
fine machinery made by their own machin-
lists They have built five villages on the
tract, and two of them are stations for the
Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which
comes to the doors. They have good school
houses, and churches, and two grain eleva-
tors at the railroad stations each of a
capacity for storing about $4,000 bushels of
grain. The children are kept at school
until they are fourteen; then they are
taught trade or agriculture, and their
education is continued in night-schools.
English is taught, but German is the me-
dunn of communication in business and
social life. Their religious services are
very simple, consisting principally of read
ing the Scriptures, prayer, and singing,
hav frr he latt
The women assists in light outdoor work,
especially in the vineyards. Early mar
riage is discouraged, and men are not con-
sidered of suitable age for wedloch until
they attain the maturity of So years.
There is great deal of intelligence in this
community, but no briliancy of any kind.
Missouri RsDu6lirdu.