Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-02-06
A JEWISH COLONY In THE
SOUTH,

We are in receipt, through the courtesy
of j. Stanwood Menken, President of the
Hebrew Emigrant Aid Society of the
United States, of his report on the forma-
ton of the first Jewish colony in the
United States at Catahoula parish, Louis
lana. The report makes a pamphlet of
eighteen pages, and contains much inter-
esting information Mr.. Menken visited
New Orleans at the instance of the So
ciety Of which he is President, and after
careful Investigation made concise his
tory of the progress and condition of the
Louisiana colony. The colony consists of
fifty-one male and thirty-four female
adults, and sixty-six children of both
sexes under fifteen years Of age. Twelve
of them have been merchants, eleven
farmers, three teachers, one q lawyer, one a
carpenter, one type-setter, six clerks, one
a tinsmith, seven laborers, one a saddler,
etc. All have expressed a strong desire
to lead an agricultural life. The majority
arrived in this country entirely destitute,
but few of them possessed a sum aggre-
eating $500; of this $4,000 was expended
under the direction of the New Orleans
Immigrants Aid Society and the re-
mainder was deposited as a reserve.
Through the efforts of this Society body
of land, consisting of $500 acres, was
bought for the colonists. 1t is situated in
Sicily Island, i'll Catahoulas parish, $50
miles from New Orleans and rs from
Natchez, Miss. New Orleans, the best
market, can be reached by river in 4s
hours. The land is rich, not subject to
overflow, and one-half is under cultiva.
ton. The colony is assured of the pro-
lection of the State government and has
received great encouragement. The
Improvements include houses, cabins
and gin house. The price agreed
upon TO be paid for the land was seven
dollars per acre, the purchase money to be
paid in yearly installments of $4,000, be-
ginning January l, 1886, free from inter.
est for the first five years and bearing six
per cent after that. When an appeal was
made to the public on behalf Of the col
onists it met hearty response from the
Jews and all classes Nearly 5000 wa;
subscribed, besides liberal contributions
in supplies, lumber agricu ltural imple-
ments and other necessary articles After
the settlement is permanent, and comfort
able school house will bc built and q
synagogue. The colonists are supplied
with the best live stock and implements
and will now 60 to work in earnest. Mr.
SIenken states that it will take fully $50.
COO to establish and matatain the colony
the first year, and appeals t,
his society for portion Of the
amount. 1t will no doubt be contributed
as promptly as needed. Should this col
ony prove success, it will open the way
for an unprecedented tide Of Jewish i'm.
migration from Europe TO the South
These oppressed people will find hearty
welcome, homes and civil liberty il this
country. There is no reasoli why the race
in this country should follow only COM
mercial pursuits. The Hebrews were
originally pastoral and an agricultural
people, until driven forth as homeless
wanderers upon the face OF the earth,
Circumstances forced Thorn TO become
merchants, ever ready to fly at apoments