The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-04
OVENS UT0PIAN COLONY.
a Glowing Account of the New-Found Para
dise-Delightful Climate.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Jan. 3-For several
months disappointed colonists from Owens
Utopian Colony, at Topolobampo, on the Gulf
OF California, have been finding their way to
this city From their stories, told with deep.
feeling, it appeared that they were victims of a
bsse deception, and that the alleged Arcadia,
whence they had escaped, was in reality bar
rem desert, devoid of food, water and all that
goes to make life worth living. These state
ments are now disputed by no less an authority
than Capt. Richard P. Leary. commanding
the United States steamship Iroquois,
which has just arrived at this port
from Callao, after making stops at
Acapulco, Mazatlan and Topolobampo. Can't.
Leary said: my orders visit Topolo-
bampo colony and learn whether the reports of
the hardships resulting from lack of provisions
Iroquois reached Topolobampo Dec l. She
anchored about eleven miles off shore, and we
visited the colony in our steam launch. It was
found that most of the colonists were at Con
zales or Bay City, situated the bay, a short
distance from the sea. There are about $50 in
all, including men, women and children. We
were received cordially by them. Every pos
sible facility was given rs to form correct i'm
preston of their actual condition. They were
living in tents, there being but one per-
manent buildings in the city. In this vicinity
there are two or three farms upon which num-
ber of the colonists were cultivating crops and
the results showed very sensibly the remark
able salubrity of the climate and the exuberant
richness of the SOIL
upon the low banks of the river the need of
irrigation not manifest but on higher
lands. away from the stream. it was seen to be
absolutely necessary. U pom the land cultivated
watermelons and sweet potatoes were growing
luxuriantiy, and little else seems 90 be cuti-
vated. We examined Gonzales City, Ell
Suffragio and Medono and in all these we were
satisfied OF the richness of the soil and its capac-
tiles for supporting a large population. The
country is a paradise. Without irrigation it
will produce two or three crops year, while
with irrigation there is not a month in which
crops cannot be planted and gathered. The
climate Is magnificent, never reaching an ex-
treme temperature. The harbor of Topolobam-
po bay is one of the finest There is at low tide
never less than sixteen feet of water on the bar,
and its capacity is very great.
'The condition of those remaining was far
from being distressing, though supplies had
grown short There no suffering and no
one appeared to be in want. / made an offer as
l was directed, to remove any of those who
were desirous of leaving, but not a single one
accepted the invitation, and all expressed them
selves as satisfied to remain where they were.
The colony was strained for want of means, but
it was stated that Captain Owens, the founder,
was on his way there with means and men. and
that he would place the colony on its feet again.
Those persons who haG lett account of dlsap-
pointment were those who could be well spared
by the colony. It is useless to expect that an
ideal society could exist in which every person
could be satisfied. The Mexicans in the vicinity
seemed we'll disposed and had been of material
assis tance to the colonists."