The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-03-24
The Economic Society.

or the Fort Wayne Railroad, eigh-
teen miles below Pittsburg, yet it is
as unlike an American town as if it
belonged to another part of the globe.
Neither the hustle of the near by city
nor the railroad and steamboat lines
ever penetrate the heart of the sleepy
town. 1t is the home of the Econo.
mites, society founded by George
Rapp in Germany many, many years
ago. What all their beliefs were is
more than any outsider can ever tell.
Their chief aim was to live as the
earliest Christians did, as portrayed
in the writings of the apostles.
Driven from Germany by religious
prosecutions, they emigrated to
America in 1905 and settled in Penn
sylvania.
They bought land and built vii.
lage which they called Harmony.
They dubbed themselves Harmon
ties, and gave what earthly goods
ShSJ POooCooSu w tllSlI IOuuucI anu
leader, George Rapp, who was their
father, banker, adviser and preacher.
George Rapp decided that it would
be more in conformity with the
teachings of the disciples to live q
life of celibacy. Several of the MEM
bers who had wives and sweethearts
rebeled against this. Those who
were true to Rapp moved with him
10 Indiana, where another Harmony
was founded. Disease attacked the
new village and reduced the number
of its inhabitants so greatly that the
remaining ones fled back to Pennsyl-
vania. In 1922 they bought $500
acres of land in most beautiful val
ley near Pittsburg. Here they set
tied and here those of them who are
still alive, live to-day. The misfor-
tunes that befell them in the two
Harmony settlements caused them
to change the name, They called
their new home Economy and them
selves Economics. The members
who deserted the Harm0nites either
died out or became as other citizens
of the globe. Many of their de-
sceDdants are well-knOWn people in
and around Allegheny City. About
one thousand members first settled
in Economy, but as their number
was never increased by birth or by
adoption, and as death occasionally
invaded their homes, there remain
at the present time not more than
eighteen members, the youngest of
whom is sixty-tWo years old. When
they first took vows of celibacy they
belived that the world was nearing
its end, and so they lived simple
lives, preparing for the mysterious
hereafter. George Rapp, just before
he died, told the others the world
would surely end before the last
member died. They believe it.
On entering the village one sees
plain houses, wide, well-kept streets,
lined on either side with large shade
trees and Understanding else.
The houses are all alike. They are
all built with the gable end towards
the street. and cannot be entered ex.
cept through the yards.
Everything in Economy is run by
rule and regulation much as at board
ing school. At O'Clock in the MORN
ing the bell on the one church rings,
and every one in the village rises.
AT 6 O'Clock every dweller sits down
to breakfast. and what is eaten in
one house is eaten in all. There is a
day for "miIk soup" and one for
swine soup" and for every other
dish peculiar to the place. The bell
rings again at 7 O'Clock for all to 90
to work al 8 it brings them back to
lunch, at II to dinner, at 3 to lunch
again, at 6 to supper, and at 9 it
rings for every one to put out his
light and go to bed. No member
ever rebels or disobeys.
There is wine cellar in Economy
famous for its old liquors, but it is
never sold except to invalids. None
of the Economics drink water, and
their employees are given wine and
cider.
The only paper published in Econ.
omy is a novel one on wheels. 1t is
the side of the milk wagon which
carries to each dweller, as we'll as the
milk, the work to be done. 1.-THE
apples Will be gathered tomorrow,
"The cherries will be gathered to-
morrow" or "Such a field will be
reaped," is inscribed on the wagons
side, so that when all are supplied
with their daily portion of milk they
know what labor awaits them.
No family names are used among
the members. Jacob" and "Anna''
opd NnnrofhuJ oro ,,aeo:o.4 re