Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-12-26
THE BELLS OF ECONOMY
Toll For the Death Of Father Jacob
Henrici, Of PittSburg.
SADNESS, NOT CHRISTMAS JOY
In the Harmonist Society-A Para
lytic Stroke Ends the Life Of the
Aged Economic Leader-John
Duss His Probable Successor.
The Society Now Mere Hand
full and is at Skies and Sevens

PITrsBURG, Pa, December 25.-The bells
of Economy, which were to have rung out
glad Christmas chimes this morning, tolled
instead of the passing away Of Jacob Hen
lici, first trustee of the Harmonist Society.
Although looked for during the past month
the death was sad tidings to the members
of the society. Father Henrici, as he was
generally known, was SO years Of age.
Last June the press of years began to tell
upon him, and his feeble condition COM
PEELED him to seek rest. His condition
grew worse, and at different times his
death was expected. His many pious fol-
lowers did everything possible to restore
their aged leader or prolong his life, out a
paralytic stroke on Thursday fastened the
end and at at four o'clock this morning he
breathed his last.
The deceased was born on farm in
Gross, Carlback, Bavaria, on January 10,
1903, and came to this country when ne
was twenty years of age and shortly after
connected himself with the Harmonist So
ciety. He was received with open arms
when Father Rapp, the founder OF the sect
died in 1868, he succeeded him and has
news Of the death of the well known Econ
omite leader quickly spread and the quiet
little village all owned by the society was
at once shrouded with gloom. IL had
AN IMPORTANT MEANING
to the members of the society in addition
10 the sorrow communicated The mem
oers have depended solely upon tather
Henrici's judgment and disreRarded busi-
ness matters entirely, and now that his de-
mise has occurred they will be compelled
to think for themselves until a successor Is
appointed. In all probability this will oe
John Duss, the second trustee, who 1elned
the society six years ago. He is young
man, but 30 years Of age, and before enter.
ing the society was a school teacher at
Economy. In an interview tonight ne
said that he would be chosen, and that 1t
was quite likely the position now held by
him would be abolished. In that event he
would have entire control OF tue vast in-
terests Of the society.
Duss came to Pittsburg from Kansas
City, where he formerly taught school.
The Harmonist Society was founded in
Wurtemburg by George Rapp about the
wear 1900. Rapp believed that he had a
divine call and was charged with the res
toration Of the Christian religion to its
original purity and the community was
founded on this basis on the model OF the
primitive church with goods in common.
A difficulty with the government
in regard TO worship impelled
Rnpp TO transplant his commu-
nifty in 1903 from Wurtemburg TO the Unit
ed States. They first settled near Zellen-
ople, Butler county, this State, where they
founded the village Of Harmony. There
was over 100 families in the society and
they employed themselves in agriculture
and manufactures. In 1924 they sold their
property aud moved TO Beaver county,
where they founded the village OF Econ
omy. On account of the peculiar religious
BELIEFS OF THE SOCIETY
which keeps them from marrying its men,
bers have gradually decreased until they
are a mere handful as compared TO what
they were formerly. AT their most pros
porous period, which was about sixty years
ago. there were fully 500 persons who ac-
knowledged allegiance to the beliefs held
by this society Trouble came in 1892 and
about one.third of their members left the
original society and formed new organ
ization OF their own. This split was the
result of their beliefs on marriage, aud as
10 the amount OF work to be done by the
different members. BY the death of
Father Henrici, many believe the fu-
ture success OF the society VIII be
endangered, though others strongly
maintain that IL will go on as usual and
with little change in its affairs. What
leads many of its most devoted members to
have fears for the society's future is its
small membership. Its members are be-
coming less each year and there are only
a few who make formal application for
membership. The society owns and con-
trolls about $500 acres Of ground in high
state Of cultivation. Besides this numerous
other industries are operated byit as there
are factories and facilities for supplying
all their needs. They can exist almost in
dependently of outside influences, IS 1t has
been their aim 10 be communiStic COM
mun,tv and they have succeeded in the
past. The wealth Of the community is
said to DO about thirty millions dollars,
though it has frequently been claimed that
it was near $100, 0,GO0,0O0 Father Henrici's
funeral will take place on Tuesday after
noon. The remains will be buried in the
societv's cemetery at Economy.