The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-26
A SOCIALIST VILLAGE.


II Has Existed In Scotland 900 Years In
Four Famiiies' Names.
A few miles from Dunkirk, Scotland.
there exists a village inhabited by faher
men and aeafafinp men, whore since the
year 1910 a syndicate has been in existence,
and where, az q birthright. an equal share
of land iaconferred or each member Of the
community. This favored spot IL named
Fort Mardyck, and marks tho place once
occupied by a fort which protected the port
of Mardyck in the days long gone by, when
ships of war and traders entered the har-
Dor, Of which the only remaining vestige 10
a quaint old lock. When Dunkirk WAS
sold to the French by Charles H..
Louis XIV. resolved on forming,
In the neighborhood Of Dunzirk.. 4 commu-
nifty OF French-speskinR sailors, with q
view OF implantinn tho language. us alao of
reserving, for state services, n nucleus OF
trustworthy seAmen. He accordingly ap-
psaled to mis- subjects. and in 1910 four
families, the Benards. Everarts, Toonekent,
Goden. natives Of Cucq. in Picardy, offered
their services TO the king, who granted
them, for their own use and that OF their
descendants, some 300 acres Of land, stu
ated at Fort Mardyck. These men entered
into possession Of the land on the under
standing that they were bound to submit to
maritime transcription and to exercise the
profession OF n sailor.
At different stages of It's progress the
colony of Fort Mardyck had to contend
with attempts levellcd against it's privi-
lege. None of its opponents were success
full. however, and in 1773 Louis XIV. ratified
the concessions granted by his predecessor
by means OF a decree, and reserved to the
Fort Mardyck people the exclusive right OF
fishing of Mardyck. The village and its
royal grant of land have remained un-
affected by the numerous changes which
have occu rred in France since Louis XIV.
The actual organization OF the hamlet is
worthy of a brief description.
The land, consisting as stated above, OF
about 800 acres, is divided into two lots,
one Of which is let to aRricultutists. the
rent being appropriated to a fund estao-
lished for the payment of state taxes and
for the distribution Of relief to members Of
the community standing in need Of assist
ance. The remaining portion Of the land
ia allotted to the inhabitants of Fort Mard-
yck, each one receiving at the time OF his
or her marriage about half an acre. Under
no circumstance may the Fort Mardyck
native resign his ownership. he may &C.
cure a tenant for his share of the
land. but 10 further transfer is
permitted. This rule, which,, unlike
others, is marked by no exceptions, has
proved instrumental in inducing the villaR-
ers to marry early in life. Their field IN
variably produces more vegetables than
they require for their own maintenance.
md they are therefore enabled to derive a
fair profit from the sale Of the extra sup
ply. Moreover, while her husband Ia away
at sea the Fort Mardyck woman does not
depend for her support on his wages! She
10 able to subsist on the produce of the
land, and when the man returns his pay is
intact.
The Fort Mardyck sailor very soon man
ages to build his cottage. and when this is
accomplished he is practically secure from
want for life. Should he have been unable
to save enough money for his old age he is
maintained by the common fund. The vii
lage now numbers 1.706 inhabitants. 1t
manages its own affairs and defrays its own
expenditures. They are q very healthy
people. They marry early and lead reaular
lives. Families of ten or twelve children
nre by no means rare. At this rate the pop
ulation doubles in thirty years.