The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1875-08-19
THE EBENEZERS.
4 Successful Colony in Iowa-Their Forme
Experiences in Erie County

4 Successful Colony in Iowa-Their Former
Experiences in Erie County
In the year 1872 there came TO this sec.
tion OF the country colony OF people vino
had emigrated from Geisen, in the Duchy
of Hesse-Damstadt, Germany, numbering
about 500 souls. They purchased 5000
acres Of land for $40 per acre, on Buffalo
creek, lew miles from this city, and set.
tied thereon. Subsequently they added
loo or more acres 10 their original pur.
chase. This was the cooperative commun.
ION known as the Ebenezers the four
towns which they planted bearing the name
Of the Ebenezer Settlements" and being
within eight miles of Buffalo They Were
. frugal, industrious, moral people, being
entirely free from those Objectionable fea-
lures which frequently characterize what
are called communions." They went to
work with right good will, even the wo-
men and children assisting at the severest
tasks, clearing their lands, and soon the re-
suits OF their labors became apparent in
the greatly improved aspect of the entire
region. Working Systematically and intel
ligently, their farms brought forth abund-
ant crops, and success attended their efforts.
Nor were their energies entirely devoted TO
agriculture. They erected cotton and WOOL
en factories, four or five saw-mills. tannerv,
two grist-mills, wagon shops, blacksmith
shops, bakeries, etc. The products of their
helds and factories found a ready market
IN Buffalo, and such was the reputation of
the members OF the community that no
other Recommendation for commodity
was needed by city purchasers than the as
eurance that " ii came from the Ebenezers.' y
Their religion was similar TO that of the
Quakers.
For reasons which were satisfactory TO
themselves, bur never fully understood by
those outside, the community resolved 10
dispose of their possessions in this vicinity
and 60 west and having sold out TO differ
ent parties, they left in 1886 and lS57-co-
ing at different times, in detachments-and
went TO Iowa. At this time the number of
the community had increased TO about 500.
They now own $4,000 acres OF beautiful
land, consisting of woodland and prairie
mixed, situated on the banks of the Iowa
river, and seventy miles from the Missis-
sippi. They are known as "Amanes." and
the colony has increased to about I.SOO.
Everything in the way of property is held
IN common, but each family has its own Sc
parate habitation.
Those who join the community contri-
butte their property 20 the common stock.
and If they become dissatisfied thev receive
back just what they put in, without inter
est or wages, and leave. So propertv cam
not we'll become a bone of contention. and
no one can regard himself a prisoner when
he is free to go where he pleases. The
members dress plainly, build plainly, but
Substantially, and are in no way ornamen-
tai. They have extensive vineyards. and
make and drink wine and lager beer, but
drunkenness is unknown among them.
They appear to have no vices whatever,
|eommit no crimes, and have no use for
|eourts. There IL, however, a committee Of
|ogoiuation TO settle minor dis
ntes when they arise, as they some
|64es- do. The government is adj
|nipishezed, and the whole business
= hs community is supervised by a board
n thirteen trustees, who are elected bv the
- Of all the adult population. and hold
- cannon property. Each department
= fndustxy has its manager, who is respon-
lie 10 the board of trustees, BY whom he
= appointed. The property they purchased