The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-10-12
The Mennonites IN Manitoba.


The Mennonite reservation east of
The Red river and about twenty-five
miles southeast of Winnipeg, is now as
well populated as any district of the
province of Manitoba, and the most re-
cent immigration has been directed TO
a reservation of seventeen townships
adjoining the frontier. and extending
west of Red river to Pcmbina Mountain.
! The settlement on the reservation first
mentioned, called Rat river, consists of
six hundred and fifty families, and OH
the sccoud reservation. called Duflerin,
four hundred fifty families have been
planted. In addition. thirty-three fam
ilics have been settled near Scratching
river, and the recent arrival of thirty
five families will go to Duferin.
Estimating five TO n family, the Mem
monte settlements of Manitoba contain
population of 1862, which will doubt
less increase steadily, but by no means
with the volume of the past three years.
The Mennonitcs who still remain in
Southern Russia, though inclined to
cmlgratc, in consequence of the tcrmin-
alton of the stipulation exempting them
from military services, are not prepared
10 sacrifice their possessions. When
they can sell without disadvantage they
cmigratc. The exodus is. therefore,
likely TO be gradual. especially as the
Russian Government, while insisting
on the right of conscription. assents
readily TO special assignments of service
in Difference to the Mennonite con-
scicncc-such as transportation, fores-
try. and hospital scrvice-vcry much as
the Quakers of the United States, dur
ing the late civil war, were subjected to
military service, but relieved from bear
ing arms.
The emigraiing classes of Lutheran
Quakers, known as Mennonites, are
neither the rich nor the poor, but arc
an intermediate body, who are, how
ever, by no means destitute. Mr.. Hes
pelcr estimates that the sum brought in
10 the province by the Mennonite imm-
grafton is $500. 900, and the recent ar
rival of thrty-iivc families brought not
less than $4,000.
There are Mennonite settlements in
the Western States. but the land sys-
TEN there enforced does not admit of
special reservations, and Manitoba has
thus been enabled TO present greater
inducements for this class of settlers.
Here the community can organize itself
according TO its traditions, including
the rural village life of the dorf-or
dorp, as we believe the word is angli-
cizcd-a custom which has great merit
socially and industrially, and will war;
rant some lulncss of detail.
n group of filmilics-usually sixteen
in numbcr-tallc their homesteads sep
aratcly. but proceed to throw them to-
gcther. selecting the most desirable sit
uation for village or dorf. through
which a street, two chains wide, is laid.
and the plat divided into half-acre lots.
with assignments for church. school. or
other public use. a tract most suitable
for tillagc is then selected in block.
which is enclosed, and within which
each head of family culiivates that
portion of his allotment-io there is no
communism-that he finds convenient.
A hay meadow. held also in scvcralty.
is chosen. and the remainder ofthc CON
solidated homcstcads is used as Il range
for cattle and other animals, which are
invariably attended by hc.dsman who
is paid by the dorf. The village lots
and other subdivisions are distributed
! by LOT.
The houses-only found in the dori,-
ovens, warming three or four rooms.
/ The same roof usually extends over
separate lodgings for cattle. although ia
tins respect there is a growing tendency
to have different tenements. Each FAM
lily has yoke of oxen, two cows and
indefinite poultry. The pig is not want
ing, and there are five hundred sheep
and one hundred and fifty horses on
the Rat river reservation.
The municipal government is sim
pie democracy. The heads of families
annually select mayor or reeve. who
is the chief officer, constantly comforting
with his constituents. Over the whole
community is Il president or elder,
elected for five years, and who, associ-
ated with the mayor of the doris, form
Il court for the final adjustment of all
disputes and the enactment of all ncces-
sary ordinances. The president may
act in all matters relating to separate
village in concurrence with the mayor
! thereof.
The church organization is quite dis
iinct from the civil administration. The
people elect n clergyman in each dorf,
and bishop to preside over the whole
community for periods Of five years.
They receive no stipends. The teach
ers of the schools-one held in each vii
lage-are chosen by the people, but are
paid moderate compensation. Mar
riagcs are free-no allotment, as for
merly, among the Moravians-and us
ually contracted early, the parties often
remaining with the most prosperous of
the parents for year or two.
An admirable system of mutual in-
surancc against fire prevails under n
board of directors elected by the whole
community. The insured are not re-
siricted in amount. but contribute pIo
rata in case of any loss.
The mayor OF dorf. with two assist
ants. constitutes an orphan court for
the distribution of estates and the Gus
iody of the funds of orphans, for which
the property of every vllager is liable.
deducting from the said orphan fund
whatever contributions for the relief of
the few destitute orphans may he found
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