New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-24
RUSSIAN HEBREWS ~ CONNECTICUT
THEIR SKILL IN FARMING-ALMOsT EVERY
HOUSE BUSY FACTORY.

HOUSE 4 BUSY FACTORY.
No, vich. Conn. April - CspeciaD.-Thc colony Of
Russian Hebrews at the country hamlet Of Chester
field. eight miles southeast Of this city. in the western
part Of the town Of Montve, Is doing finely Early
In May It will dedicate s new synagogue there which
ls nearly completed near Iatimer's Old sawmlll not
far from the village cemetery, and II is believed that
thousands Of country people will witness the unique
and imposing ceremonies the first OF the kind In the
history Of Eastern Connecticut Work was begun on
the structure. a plain but roomy which Will cost
about $4,000 several months ago. and the builders
intended 10 dedicate April TO- The plan IS now 10
dedicate il on May 10. Many notable Hebrews VIII
take part I'm the exercises. Coroner Ferdinand Levy
of New York. will deliver the opening address. the
rabbi of New Haven will preach the dedcatory sermon
and there will be speeches by Mr. Tuske. OF the Hebrew
Charities OF New-YOrk DR.. Brachart. Of New-lork ana
other Influential Hebrews OF this state and New York
Appropriate musical selections Will be sung bN
a choir Of male voices led by Israel MackovsW
Of the Congregation Bath Israel New York IT l.
promised that the dedicatory ceremonies Will continue
two DAYS and scores Of New-YorI people will he
present. The synagogue though is eNterlo: Is uh-
pretonous. has been tasefully finished within doors
The furniture for II has been contributed by Ncwlork
and Connecticut friends of the society Mr. Tuske Of
New-Ycrk gave handsome carpet :cr the synagogue
and Louis Hahn of Norwich, hanging lamps. Glars and
a carpet for the sanctuary.
The Chesterfield Hebrew colony + n curious and
interesting feature in the staid and hundrum New
England Puritan society that cnvirons IT. The wi
age IS a quiet and pretty typical Connecticut hanc'
among the high hills. in which, before tie advent OF
the smart and stirring foreigners, life and logged
on with hardly an incident 20 rufc its current for
more than $50 Years. 1t IS one OF the most
sequestered hamles in the State lis fifteen or twenty
dwellings, neat, whiteipainted, oh-fa>honcd iafHi
houses. with ample dooryards are scattered mt WIDE
intervals along tie margin OF a big, Drawing r'ht
stream In open fertile valley, and sheltered bv
ranges of lofty hills on every side, cAccp. on the
south. III The hamlet grocery and nouoA ''oIe
two, od-time grist and MILL pretty scho'l
house. and a painted church. with tower ana
bright green blinds, the village green. Ni'h "
portion OF the Baron Hirsch fund.- the Hebrew coohi0'
began to purchase farms there, about two years ago. ~
now about every farm In Chesterfield ana IN Inc 'u
joinn; neghborhood within five miles Oh Inc
village belongs to the colony. BOT les
than 900 acres of lard IN that region Is tn" prop
erty OF the colonsts. the price Of which was %33ooo
OF that sum $40 was paid IN cash, and the farms
are mort gagged for the balance Of IT, The farms are
owned by nny-six families. comprising sos persons
The largest number of acres belonging to one lhdl
vidual is 3a5. which is the property OF VI. Braun
STEM and cost 81 GOO. Next VI. Cohn Owls farm 81
200 acres at 81 800. Several c0onsts own more than
goo acres each As rule the property WITS SOFA
cheaply. 5. Rosenberg has farm Of 200 acre, that
cost him only 81 800. The smallest farms at Chester
field belong to Hctin IIndin and J. WcisebcrG there
being tlirtv-nve acres I'm each which cost respectively
$3.50 and S46O. The coonlStS are ar1workns ana
thrifty. and the industrious character Of the region
has been completely icvolutOnzcd since they took
possession OF IT, Not few ~ the farms were believed
be exhausted and some Of them had been abandoned
by their former owners but the Hebrews are steadily
improving the lands and making money on them. IhcF
not only raise farm produce large scale and d.
lively maj ket garden business. selling early vcGe
table mud in no
London and Norwich. but in almost every household
q lucrative l.,ic domestic factory industry Is carried
on. All dav the rattle Of sewing machines j. heard IN
the rural streets. and men, women and children ply
the trade Of coat and shirt making from dawn until
late at night The colony already ha- a fine creamery.
which was completed this week. The butter. which
Is Of a fine quality Is sold in the Norwich and New
London markets for a high price. The creamery. with
its machinery cost 5000. which was paid promptly
The alonv carries on a dozen different tradc,
and each member 81 IT takes hand IN all 81 them
At different times he ills his farm and help, " the
folks 20 make coats, hats, shoes. susTcndcrs
and 50 In the main room Of one Old Chesterfield
farm house there is complete pOckctbpOk manu-
factory. and than 1000 wallctS-chcap wallets
in which coin is carried-arc produced daily Mo. II
the work in wallet mailing T. done by boys. The
goods are shipped at once to Ncw-York and
are readily sold BY the metropolitan agent Of
the colony. The colony has Just erected
capaciOus store I'm place Of that lately de-
stroyed by fire, and already has planned TO erect
building for evening school. II also has a small
hat factor that is run Dy steam, and produce,
twelve dozen hats day; and 1t IS soon 70 be con
sldrally enlarged. In the last two weeks the colony
has purchased John Bcckwth farin IN the adjoining
town of salem for $1,000, the Henry lIOlme, farm
In the same town. the Shapley Williams farm IN Fast
LYME for $500. and the big RAYMOND farm. one Of
the largest and best farms in salem. The cOlDnistr
who have become tenants OF some OF the salem farms
are MANY miles distant from the main colony Al
Chesterfield and remote from ncigilbOr,, among the
Wild lonely hills: vet they follow the trade.
that are popular at the village, ard have gone 10
work tier sterile acres with daunteas ambition ana
Unfit.