American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-08-30
The MennoniteS.

WI WV BiNsSht tV"toi y w "
Germans moved to Russia and set
tied near Odessa. The clemency
of the Russian government was eX-
tended to them in many ways, but
principally by exemption from mill
tary service, and the free use OF
their own language. These priv
leges were afterwards withdrawn
and they were forced to learn and
speak the Russian language, and
perform the same military duties re-
quired of the legitimate subjects OF
the Empire. This edict not only in
terfered with their peculiar religious
creed, but was in direct contrav en-
ton of the terms of their settle
ment. and hence they became rest
less and discontinued, and longed
for change of country and of gov
eminent. During the long years
thus passed in Russia they amass-
ed large wealth, which their chill
dren, and their children's offspring
now enjoy.
The brilliant prospect which the
great Western portion of this cont
nent presented to the frugal
and industrious, attracted the
attention of these thrifty Men
nonites, and after satisfying
themselves as to the policy of our
government, and the climate and
general character of the soil, they
determined to absolve allegiance to
the Gar, and suck an EldOrado in
the bosom of our Western solltudes.
Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska
seem to be their objective points,
and as they possess immense
wealth, the section of country in
which they may locate will reap no
inconsiderable benefit.
The following account of a recent
arrival in this country of these har-
dy and wealthy people, which we
clip from the New York Sun, will be
read with much interest:
The arrival in this country of the
Russian MennOniteS has created an
excitement among the officers of
those railroad companies that have
lands to sell in the far West. This
immigration is certainly most re-
markable, no immigrants ever hav
ing arrived here before so well
stocked with funds as these nus
slams. and hence their movements
are destined to affect to great de-
gree the territory in which they will
settle. The richest man among
those who arrived by the steamer
HammOnia from Hamburg on Fri
day last is Mr.. Peter Isaack, who
brings his wife and children and
$40, 900 in gold. 1t was the only
family that came in the first cabin.
Another gentleman had S67, 900 in
gold, while all the rest brought
from $1,000 to $4,000, each family
averaging about $4,000. AS there
were about twenty families in the
steerage,' this would make the ag-
gregate of 5000, 900, which with tue
money of Mr.. Isaack would give a
total of $4,000 brought over by
twenty families. The economic of
so rich an immigration can hardly
be Overestimated.
Another fact is worthy of note
their large families. One family
consists of twelve, one of eleven,
one of nine, two of eight: one of
seven, three of six, one of five, three
of four. five of three, and five IN
married persons, making total Of
sixty whine children and forty one
adults. Their destination is some
point i'm Dakota, although many in
f1uenced by the representations of
Tom Scott and his European agents,
Will settle on the line of the Texas
Pacific Railroad. 1om Scott, now
in Europe negotiating the bonds of
the Texas Pacific, has, through his
agents there, however. not had
such a success with the Russians as
he anticipated, most of them pre-
the lands they are to settle, and to
study the country they are to in
habit. They are quiet, moral, in
offensive people, self-denying and
Before they sailed from Ham !,
burg they were warned not to give
any information as to their move !
ments to any one, and even the
dread of Russian spies has been
held ont to these simple people to
keep them quiet. The result is
that sheep-like they wander about
in tlOcks, and follow only the beck |
of their trusted leaders. A fellow
passenger in the Hammonia says
that the Russians were exclusive
and even proud to others on the
well understanding the
value of their money, which they |
had great fear of being stolen from
them at this port.
On Tuesday of this week another
Hamburg steamer will arrive with
a second installment of Men
The Montgomery Gala Adcerti-