Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-07
A "swell', English colony.

b
NOT far nom the Missouri river. in the north.
western corner OF Iowa. is colony of Eaglish-
men who have undertaken, with moderate
capital and infinite pluck, to build up their
fortunes In this country. Their enterprise Is
Se,Wuss old enough to furnish
properly undertaken, one OF the most profta-
BILE Industries In this country. Their number
at present Is about three hundred, and many
This colony, often called the Close colony,
owesits origin to three enterprlsing brothers.
respectively James, William and Fred Close
the Cambridge boat crew at the centennial
regatta Some OF the crew fell sick, however
and they were forced to leave Philadelphia
and retire to cape May to reeuperate There
marry. About this time the young lady's
father advised young Close to take trip west
before returning to England, assuring MIN
that II he should do so, he would be satisfied
that this country offered stronger inducements
to young man than any across the water.
mind to go into farming. He Immediately
drew his two brothers into the enterprise, and
tog' Their they began on large scale. At the
same time they took steps to Induce their
friends In England to join them. Though the
enterprise Is not three years DID, they Control
at present some 200, 600 acres OF land.
The young men who make up this comnu-
nifty are for the most part graduates OF Oxtord
or Can bridge. On one farm met two tall and
handsome young farmers whose uncle had
been d1stiDg uished member of Parliament.
The last time had seen them was In q London
drawing room. This time they trampsd me
through the mud aud manure OF the barn.
yard to show me some newly bought stock
they were boarding with Dutch farmer at
Both were thoroughly contented, and looked
forward to the future with much pleasure.
Another young farmer whom I noticed on
horseback, with top boots, flannel shirt, som.
breTo, and belt knife was pointed out to me as
the grandson OF the author of 'Paley's Theo-
lOgy." He was attending cattle auction at
Ia There her to- was son Of Thomas
rotary of the Golden club and M. P. for Roch-
dale, who had come out only to take O look at the
place, but who so fell In love with the life that
miral In the royal navy, another had been Coz
nected with Shanghai bank. There was
brother to Lord Ducie, not to speak OF future
men All rhee
their love OF free. active life; and the know
ledge that they would enter society congenial
to their tastes and early associations
Although differing widely, from TON"
Hughes Tennessee colony, this Iowa COM
munity has accomplished without any special
agreement between the members) an under
taking which combines the profit Of farming
with the out door sports so dear to an English
man. They have the very best ground for fox
hunting In the world-a rolling prairie, with
creek here and there: Every cOlonist MAKES It
LILO SAlC1 ColC, olUcI UuylBS Ills IhTm, 10 Dre00
a good hunter for the .steeple chases. They
have regular meets for fox or "paper' hunts,
as the case may be. They last year opened
racing track, and wound up the races With a
grand ball The event was q grand success
and partners were brought even from st.
Paul, go miles to the north, TO grace the oc-
caslon.
Their relations with The Close brothers are
very SIMPLE ana entirely OF business nature.
After desire has been expressed to join the
colony. and the firm have decided that they
are worthy to be admitted, they are required
to pay $3.50 as species of initiation Zee. This
Is about per cent on the first Investment,
and Is commission charged to each new COL
on1st. In return they contract for putting up
houses, building wells, purchasing land and
implements, ETC., and furnishing advice when
ture OF lawyers fee for future consultations.
The tax Is saved over and over again In the Sc
curity the stranger obtains against all manner
OF exOrbitant charged Sharp as down. casters
are reputed to be, they are mere beginners
compared to western land agent
Thus we have an example Of cooperation on
a large scale that works perfectly, and has
without any previous theorlzing on the sub.
ject- The head OF the colony buys for all at
wholesale with large discount. He sells at
retail without charging the colonists anything
but nominal commission for his service.
Herein lies one secret OF the power and pros
perity of this colony. They can combine for
purchase; they can combine for contracts ia
working their estates on large scale; they
can combine Tor special rates in the shipment
OF their produce to Chicago, st. Paul or st.
Louis. The single colonist has not these ad-
yantages SO pronounced and above all does not
enjoy the social advantage of being among
people OF his own tastes and home associations.