New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-26
AN AMERICAN COMMUNE.
HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE AMANA
SOCIETY

SOCIETY.
IFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSEl
Dies MONIES, Iowa, Aug. 20.-The traveller
over the Chicago Rock Island aud Pacific Railroad soon
after passing Iowa City will be greeted by the voice OF
the brakeman ne announces Homestead" stopping
and taking lumber wagon with spring seats In charge
of peasantfaced man Of evident Teutonc extraction,
ride OF mile. Iowa River will land him In the
midst OF curious people, with quaint and strange sur
roundings The Amana Society Is the outgrowtn Oh
small band of people who to this country from the
North OF Germany in 1916 Their religion was one OF
peace. Their Government demanded OF every male
person military service. This they refused to give.
They were then imprisoned and their property
sequesraed About forty OF them came to this country
and settled Buffalo, N. " but soon afterward re-
moved to this spot and named it Amana, which signifies
"here will rest"
They purchased from the Government whole town
ship six es square, through which runs Iowa River,
one OF the largest in the State They perfected
an organization OF the community, and gave IL the
name Of Amana Society which Ia now Incorporated
under the laws OF the State All that each Individual
possessed was consolidated into common property BY
the terms OF the compact there individual owner
ship OF anything with slight exceptions for personsuse
The community is governed by president ard erecu-
tive committee elected by vote OF the community Tms
committee has general supervision Of all business OF the
society; elects the supernendents Oh the various de
partments of labor, and directs all It's anairs Tne
president Is simply advisory officer and Ia seectedfor
his age and mature Judgment He presdes at meetings
OF the executive committee.
INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC LIFE.
Iowa River makes a largo bend near tho
eastern boundary Of the township. From tho
eastern detection canal about ten rect
wide was cut five miles in length. through
the village to the western point OF detection Along
this canal located the residence lots each lot
abuttng on the canal The canal furnishes water ior
domestic use and watering the gardens Each family
has house for It's use surrounded with yards ana
garden The highest cultivation is there attained Oh
vegetables and fruit Of all kinds Grapes are extern
svely grown and palaable made from them, each
family making Its ownsupply, Large boarding houses
are provided In each village flor there are now SIX
villages for the accommodation OF the unmarried
people. At these boarding houses also the enre people
take their meals No cooking general housekeeping
IA done at the residences There appointed at regu.
lar intervals persons TO perform tho various duties OF
the society: To oversee the boarding TO do the
work therein, cooking baking. laundry WORK, scruoo
ing, carrying water. etc. some feed anu care Ior tue
poultry. swine sheep, horses, cattle All tho various
kinds Of Framework set on to different persons 30
IN tho mills, factories and shops
Just before meal will come to boarding
house with live poultry. which IL ut once taken
and dressed another will bring vegetables, another
meat. After each meal the garbage man comes
around and all refuse carried away fed to swine or put
IN the compost heap Each and every person has MS oil
her allotted work, and all moves In perfect system
There are no dronea There large cotton and wooen
mills starch factory, and fruii-cannpg shops The cot
ton goods made are the and most durable 20 be found
In the United States and they get higher prices than
Eastern manufacturer. They sell all they can make to
retail dealers this aud adjoining States, who nave reg
uar customers for them SO OF their wooen goods the
STAMP of the Amana Society establishes their quality.
hafa
IA well done They are slow and Flooding. They never
got In a hurry They retain many Of the habits and
customs OF Fatherand The older people still retain the
quaint dress OF their The younger portion
have AmericaniEed themselves
EDUCATION, RELIGION AND POLITICS.
They have good schools, and are thoroughly educated
They print their books and dothe prntngoi aoes
cards and work necessary for their manufactured ar
ces. They make nearly everything used by the society
except farm implements
They are very de wont people Their religion Ia smila
TO that OF tho Qiakers rhey do not accept tue New
Testament Marriage is divine institution with them
4, each vii aye 4. n meeting house. where religious ser
vice A., held every day. About IL O'CLOCK wnrn tb'
Church Inc men ana women sitting apart service !
conducted by leader. but the speaking ~ uone ny u
fsrvn individuals as tue spirit moves 'aS bnreb anI
IA precisely ike that OF the Quakers ,,,,,-
In politics their affiliations are with the BepuDlcans
,bonen tbey seldom vote For National officers they yot
with the Republicans For oca! county omcers tue,
gGte and 20 thew vote so goes the county Bu
no party or clique can Influence or control then'
BUSINESS METHODS.
As has been stated they began few in number ana
moor Additions were made by accretion. Whenever a
desired TO ION the society he had to make for
mai applicaton Athorough investigation followed OF tn
antecedents and character OF applicant II accepted
he surrendered all he possessed by legal conveyance
the society. Should no become dissatisfied ana desire
leave he could co. but nothing with him. Numerou
appcations are made to unite with them every year
but for several years all have been rejected as they have
IA large O membership they DESIRE the population
being about 1000. The society is Immensely wealthy
ana has no need OF money.
At the beginning OF each year, general account o
buspess is taken, and balance sheet struck TO ever
person of the society of certain sum- such as VIII
necessary for during the year In each village
general store where supplies are kept Az these store
this portion is credited to tho families and individuals
and whatever they get the store charged at exac
| cost Outsiders have TO pay good profit Wnen ma
dies who is the head OF q family his affairs are immed
stely settled. and new apporilonInenti msue w ~
widow and placed to her credit Ii orphan children ~
| left Guardian IA appointed. and he represents ~
| parents The remainder OF The profits OF inc year
business after this appointment Is made 10 invested
n each village are immense barns and sheds where al
bay and grain are stored and whore all feediDg III Wne
:. done Oxenare extensively used In farm work. penn
admirably suited 10 the plOddln9 easy sons, "g az
| the people. Tns people are eminentiy iocial aihon
Themselves They are courteous W stdugers o"V o 0
| desire their presence, except FOR pare business
The SOUTH RES1ERN BORDER.
m