Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-04-29
The C'O-o COLONY.

ANpb hHt II " tuN Ahi'oosAA kstfCI, III
the north western corn,r of iowa, is a
colony OF Englishmen who have under
taken, with moderate capital aud iu-
finite pluck. to build up their fortunes
in this country. Their enterprise is
neE-just old enough, however, to
furnish satisfactory evidence that ag-
ricuilure il, when properly undertaken,
one of the most profitable industries in
this country. Their number at present
is about three hundred, and many ad
ditional members are expected this
spring.
This colony. often called the Close
Colony. owes its origin to three enter
prising brothers, respectively James.
William, and Fred Close. One of these
came out here in 1876 to row in 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
recuperate. There the young Easlish-
man met his destiny, ami closed his
boating career by an engagement to
marry. About this time the young
lady's father advised young Close to
take trip West before returning to
England, assuring him that ii he should
do 80, he would be satisfied that this
country offered stronger Inducements
to young man than any across the
water. Accordingly he went West. and
made up his mind to go into farming
He Immediately drew his two brothers
into the enterprise, and together they
began on large scale. At the same
time they took steps to induce their
friends in England to jDiu them
Though the enterprise is not three
years old. they control at present some
two hundred thousand acres of land.
The young men who make up this
community are for the most part grad
mates of Oxford or cambridge. On one
farm I met two tall and handsome
young farmers whose uncle had been
distinguished member of Parliament.
The last time / had seen them was in
London drawing room. This time they
manure of the barnyard to show me
some newly bought stock. They we re
boarding with d dtch farmer At thre
collars per week in order to learn
practical farming. Both we're thorough
ly coptenteI, and looking forward to
the future with pleasure.
Another young farmer whom Noticed
on horseback, with top-boots. flannel
shirt, sombrero, and belt-knife, was
pointed out tn me as the grandson OF
the author Of Paley's Theology. He was
attending cattle. auction ut Lsmars,
Iowa.
There, too, was son of Thomas Bay
ley Potter, the distins uished honorary
secretary of the Golden CiHb. and M.
P, for Roch ,iale, who had come out
only to take look at the place, but who
so fell in love with the life that he de-
cided to invest. One had been an ad-
airsl in the royal navy, another had
heen connected with.a Shanghai bank.
There was brother to Lord Ducie. not
to speak of future baronets, viscounts,
aud honorables. These young men had
all been attracted here by their love OF
u free, active life, and the knowledge
that they would enter q society con-
genial to their tastes and early associa.
tions.
Although differing widely from
"Tom' Hughes Tennessee cnlouy.
this Iowa community has accom- plished
without any special agreement be
tween the members) an undertaking
which combines the profits of farming
With the outdoor sports 80 dear to an
Euglishman.
They have the very best ground for
f,x.hunting in the worlds rolling
prairie with q creek here and there.
Every colonist makes it his chief care,
af er buying his farm, to breed q good
hunter for the steeple-chases. They have
regular meets for fox or" paper hunts.
ss the case may be. They last year
opened racing track, and wound mp
the races with grand ball. The event
was grand su ccess. and partners we're
Drought even from St Paul, 270 miles
to the north, to grace the occasion.
Their relations with the Close Broth
ers are very simple, and entirely OF
been business nature. After afdesire has
expressed to join the coleny, and the
firm have decided that they are worthy
TO be admitted, they are required to
pay $3.50 as species of initiation fee.
This Is about five per cent. on the first
investment, and is commission charged
to each new colohist. In return they
contract for putting up houses, build
ing wells, purchasing land and imple-
ments, etc., and furnishing advice when
ever called upon. It is something in
the nature of lawyers fee for future
consultations. The tax is saved over
and over again in the security the
stranger obtains against all manner of
exorbitant charges. Sharp rs down.
Casters are reputed to be, they are mere
beginners compaed to . Western land
agent.
Thus we have an example of CO.
operation on large scale that works
perfectly, and has grown up from the
conditions of the colony without any
previous theorizing on the subject.
The head of the coloHy buys for all at
wholesale with large discount. He
sells at retail without charging the
colonists anything but q nominal COM
mission for his service. Herein. lies
one secret Of the power and prosperity
of this colony. They can combine for
purchase; they can combine for con.
tracts in working their estimates on .
large scale; they can combine for spec-
ial rates in the shipment Of their prod
uce to Chicago, st. Paul, or st. Louis.
The single colonist has not these advan-
tages so pronounced, and above all
does not enjoy the social advantage OF
4 Il L.