The Indianapolis journal., 1892-12-26
DEATH OF JACOB HEINRICH
Christmas Morning Brought Sad Tid-
ings to the Harmonists of Economy.
Their Aged Leader and Successor to the Found
er Of the Society Passed Away at4 O'clock
An Interesting Community.


my, which were Co have rung out glad
Christmas chimes this morning. told. in
stead, of the passing away of Jacob Hen
rlci. first trustee of the HarmopIst 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 eighty mine years of age. Last
June the press of years began to tell on
him, and his feeble condition compelled
him to seek rest A month ago his condi-
tion 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. but q
peralytic stroke on Thursday hastened the
end, and at this morning he breathsd
his last. Deceased was born on farm in
Gross Karlback, Bavaria, on Jan. Is. 1903,
and came to this country when he was
twenty years OF age. and shortly after con-
nected himself with the Harmonist So
ciety. He was received with open arms,
and when Father Rapp. the founder of the
sect. died, IN 1885, he succeeded him, and
has since been the governing spirit
The news of the death OF the well-known
Economite leader quickly spread and the
society, was at once shrouded In gloom.
IL had an important meaning to the inem-
bers of the society, in addition TO the sor-
row communicated. They have depended
solely upon Father Henricis judgment and
dierogarded business matters entirely. and
now that his demise has occurred they will
be compelled TO think for themselves until
successor Is appointed. In sil probability
this Will be John Duss the second trustee,
who Joined the society six years ago. He
n n
oge. and, before entering the society, was
schoOl-toacher at Economy. In an inter.
view tonight he said that he would be
chosen. and that 1t was Quito likely the
position now held by him would be
abolished. In that event he wonld have
entire control of the vast interests of the
society. Duss came to Pittsburg from
Kansas City, where he formerly taught
school.
The Harmonist Society was founded in
Wurtemberg by George Rapp about the
year 1900. Rapp believed that he had q
divine call and was charged with the
restoration of the Christian religion TO It's
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 III regard
to worship impelled Rapp to transplant his
community In 1903 from Wurtemberg to
the United States. They first settled near
Zelionople. Butler county, this State where
they founded the village Of Harmony.
There were over one hundred families in
the society. and they employed themselves
In agriculture and manufactures. In 1ss2
they sold their property and moved 10
Beaver county, whore they founded the viii
lage of Economy.
On account OF the peculiar religions be-
liefs of the society. which keep them from
marrying, it's members have gradually de-
creased until they are mere handful. rs
compared to what they were formerly.
AT their most prosperous period which was
about eighty years ago, there were fully
eight hundred persons who acknowledged
allegiance to the beliefs hold by this So
ciety. Trouble came In 1sS3 and about one
third of their mem bers left the original So
clety and formed new organization OF
their own. This split was the result of their
beliefs on marriage and as to the amount Of
work TO be done by the different mem bere.
lieve the future success of the society will
be endangered. though others strongly
maintain that It will 90 on as usual and
with little change In it's affairs.
What leads many OF It's most devoted
mem bers to have fears for the society's
/ future is it's small membership. It's mem.
| bers are becoming less each year and there
| are only few who make formal applica.
| tion for membership. The society owns
| and controls about 2.5Gc acres of ground In
q high state of cultivation. Besides this
| numerous other industries are operated by
| it, as there are factories and facilities for
| supplying all their needs. They can exist
| almost idependently of outside influences
| as il has been their aim TO be communs
tic community and they have succeeded In
| the past The wealth of tho community is
said to be SS0.001.0O though 1t has fre,
| Quently been claimed IL was near Sl0o, 900,
| 600.
| Father Henrici's funeral will take place
be buried in tho socioty's cemetery o,
Economy