Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-12-11
The Icarians In America.

In 1S4o, about 1900 Icarians set out
| from France, with great enthusiasm, 10
establish community In the United
States. They expected, after they got
well settled, and when the people saw its
| splendid success, to be followed by 10000
more, which was about the number of
| Icarians ut that time in France. Even
Napoleon III, then candidate for the
Presidency of the French D3public, ex-
pressed himself favorably to this system.
Their intention was to settle in Texas, en-
tering as much land as the homestead act
would entitle them to, IN the hope that in
time they could get possession OF the
whole State, which was TO be their future
Icaria. They landed at New Orleans, but
owing to the difficulties of making a first
settlement, many of their number left
them, when they ultimately assembled the
Mississippi, and bought out the property
of the Mormons at Nauvoo, from which
the latter had lately been expelled. Here
they established their community, carry
ing on agriculture and several branches
Of industry.
A difficulty soon arose among them,
however, when large minority-among
whom was M. CADET himself-withdrew
carrying off much of the property, 80 that
the remainder soon left Nauvoo for Adams
County, Iowa, where they had established
a branch colony, about forty miles from
Council Bluffs. Here they settled, but
have been frequently harrassed by the
withdrawal of members, who instituted
lawsuits for part Of their property. In
1867 they were reduced to about thirty
five. Since then, however, by the return
of some of the former members, and by
the acquisition Of few Spaniards and
other Europeans, their number has in
creased to about seventy. They carry on
agriculture principally, though they have
also steam saw and grist mill, and a
blacksmith and carpenter shop. They
produce nearly all they want, making
their own clothing, shoes, hats, ETC., and
seem to be enjoying a considerable degree
of prosperity. They carry on their COM
munity by universal suffrage, electing
their officers every year These are
President, Secretary, Director of Indus
try, and Director Of Agriculture. No one
has any money or need of any. The sec
rotary, who also acts rs treasurer, holds
the common purse, and makes all
purchases from without, and receives all
their incomes. They eat at common
table, have one person for cook, another
for dairyman, etc. They still preserve
the family relation, and practice the Sc
verest chastity. Each family has its sep
arate dwelling, though the women gener-
ally congregate together when they have
work in common, and the men also, so
that they have abundance of company
and Of diversion. They have a good
school and library, take the principal
journals, work leisurely, and give consid-
cradle time to enjoyment. On Sunday
they fish, hunt, dance, and occasionally
have theatrical entertainment. They
think that soon they will be able to live
comfortably on six hours work, and give
the rest of the day to instruction and
amusement. BY their division of labor,
they economize much force, one man
being able to cook for seventy persons as
well as for single family. Moreover,
the children do much work that is ordi.
narily required to be done by grown per-
sons. They get along well with their
neighbors, and are much esteemed by
Old and NeD.