The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1882-09-09
ORDERvILLE. UTAH.
Beaver Utonian.l
KANkp, Utah, Aug. is. 1882


on business matters, to recently visit
this section of Utah, I thought few
items of interest concerning it would be
acceptable for the Utonian. The most
curious and interesting place that it has
bean my lot to visit, is the town of
Orderville in this county. The COM
munity known as the United Order, resi-.
dent there, and from which the town
derives its name, being about the strong
est and most peculiar society of human
beings in the West.
They are of course, like most other
people in many particulars, but many of
their characteristics are very different.
1t is impossible for to Judge of them from
heresay, one must see, to fully under
stand their workings.
1t seems that about nine years ago,
when President Brigham Young was so
earnestly advocating the establishment
of the "United Order" few families
under the leadership of an enthusiast
named H. o. Spencer, concluded to sepa-
rate themselves as much as possible from
the balance Of mankind, and taking the
communistic theory in all but its extrem-
eat sense, endeavored to practically and
thoroughly consolidate capital and labor.
As to separating" they were eminently
successful in doing so, for more secluded
and out-of-the-way place could hardly be
found in all Utah.
Long Valley, in which the town is sit
uated, being certainly the most difficult
of access or egress of any inhabited Sec
tion Of the. Territory
The community have certainly done a
great deal among themselves at least, in
reducing capital and labor to common
level and have thus far solved that prob
lem. From the first they have increased
both numerically and financially Start
ing out few in number and slender purse,
they now number nearly one hundred
families, and are positively getting rich.
The farm that they own and work is one
Of the largest and finest in Utah, its fine
and skillful cultivation showing to ex.
cellent advantage.
They have erected and are operating Q
woolen factory, which rogether with its
modern machinery, has cost over Sic, ,O0O
They own and operate in addition, &
water-power grist mill, tannery, a fur
niture shop, shoe factory, tin shop,
machine, wagon and blacksmith shop, :
cooperage and broom making establish
ment. Their great aim seems to be II
produce everything they consume ane
have surplus to sell to non-members
their society. They do not import any
thing that it is at all possible to get alon
without. Their importations are con
fined mainly to the latest improved agrl
cultural or other labor-saving machiner
of which they already possess quite a
array. All this and much more has bee
accomplished, but not without disadvar
tages and impediments, their industr,
economy and self.denial are marke
features of the organization and certainl
deserves great praise, But as their a
fairs are in measure experimental the
are not entirely satisfactory in rssul
this fact some of the members refuse
acknowledge while others seek eve'
chance to make it known. As usual
all innovations upon civilization the
have been "backers out !" from the ve
inception of the affair, and l was to
that probably several families wou
withdraw this fall. As the capital
vested by each individual member is n
permitted to gather interest or dividen
the persons retiring from the society
not take out one dollar more than tn
invested, leaving the results Of tn
labor to accumulate for the benefit
those who stay with it to the end, viii
prevents speculation. A. B. l.