The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-09-20
Communistic Societies in the United
States.

l,OUU. Live Ill SCNtu Villages, al VI
which have common interest. Own
from $4,000 to $4,000 acres of land.
Businesses Agriculture, manufactures,
and merchandise. Emigrated to Ameri-
ca and settled near Buffalo in 1912. Re-
moved to Iowa in 1855. Marriage per-
mitted, but not encouraged. Strongly
religious. Call themselves "The True
Inspiration Congregations or elm
spirationists. Present leader in
spiritual things, or "inspired instru-
ment," Barbara Heynemann, now over
so years of age. The temporal affairs
are managed by trustees.
THE HARMONIsTs, ECONOMY, PENN.
Germans. Emigrated to this country
in 1904. Organized into ''The Har-
mony Society" in 1905. First settled
in Butler County, Penn. Removed to
Indiana in 1914 and built the town of
Harmony. Sold that place to Robert
Owen, and returned to Pennsylvania in
1924, and built the present town of
Economy, on the eastern bank of the
Ohio. Businesses: Agriculture, manu-
features, and merchandise. Estimated
worth, several million dollars. Mem
bership fifty years ago, 1000; now, 100.
Marriage practiced until 1907. Celibacy
has since been the rule. George Rapp
was their founder and leader until his
death, at the age of 80. Jacob Henrici
and Jonathan LEM are now their lead
ers. The Harmonists base their organ
ization on religious principles.
THE SEPARATISTS, ZOAR, OHIO.
Germans, Emigrated from Wurtem-
burg in 1917, under the leadership of
Joseph Baumeler. Adopted commun-
ism of property in 1919. Businesses:
agriculture, manufactures, and mer-
chandise. Estimated value of property
one million dollars. Amount of land,
1900 acres. Celibates until 1923; mar
riage has since prevailed. Jacob Ack-
ermann present leader, but shares his
responsibilities with trustees, chosen by
the members. Basis, religion.
DIR. KEIL's COMMUNITIES.
The one located at Bethel, Shelby
County, Missouri, was founded in 1874
Highest membership, $50; present,
present, about $50. Mostly Germans
and Pennsylvania Dutch. Businesses :
agriculture, manufactures, and mer-
chandise. Own 1000 acres of land
Governed by President and Trustees.
That at Aurora, Oregon, where DR..
keil now resides, was founded in 1855,
and is the more prosperous, having 49,
600 acres of land and about 400 men,
bers. Their basic principles are, of
course, the same as at Bethel. The two
communities are substantially one, hav-
ing a common interest. Many persons
at Aurora went from Bethel, which ac-
counts for the latter's decline in num-
bers.
THE SHAKERS.
Mostly Americans; a few of other ma
tionalities. Followers of Ann Lee. Sew
enteen societies, in seven States. Each
society is divided into two or more fami-
lies or separate communities, so that
there are in all over fifty Shaker COM
munties. These had at one time men,
bership of five or six thousand. The
present membership is not far from q
400. The Shaker communities are all
large landowners. Businesses agricul-
ture and manufactures. The Shakers
are religious celibates. Each family has
its elders, addresses, trustees, and dea-
cons; and every two or three societies
have ministry, consisting, when COM
plete, of two males and two females.
The Central Ministry of all the socie-
ties resides the greater part of the time
at Lebanon, N. Y, occasionally visiting
the other societies. Daniel Bolar and
Giles B. Avery now stand at the head of
the Shaker ministries.
THE PERFECTIONIsTs.
Founded by John Humphrey Moves.
As religious sect, date from 1884; as
communists, from 1916. First organ
lied in community at Putney, Vt. Re-
moved to Oneida, N. Y, in 1S4S. The
branch society in Wallingford, Conn,
established in 1851. Whole number of
members Sol. Businesses: the manufac-
ture of silk threads and steel traps, the
canning of fruits and vegetables, and
agriculture. Social system, complex
marriage. Theodore X. Noyes, son
of the founder, is now President of the
two communities, which have a complex
interest, interchanging men and capital
at occasion requires.
THE ICARIANs, CORNING, ADAMS CO.,
IOWA.
French. Their first leader and presi-
dent was Etienne CADET. Securing one
million acres Of land in Texas, he estab-
lished colony there, in 1S4S; which re-
moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1849; and
in 1858 purchased land for branch
community in Iowa, which in time be
came the only Icarian community In
1866 there were 500 Icarians at Nauvoo.
The Icarians have encountered many
trials, including the death of their
founder, and now number less than 100.