The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-01-04
THE ECONOMt SOCIETY.
Death Of Jacob Henrici, the Patrlar.
chal Head Of the Community.

ing. Death was caused by old age,
though probably fastened by the
severe cold weather Of the last sever
al days, which weighed very heavily
upon him Father Henrici was
horn in Baravia, January 10, 1904
He came To Economy in 1926, an
became engaged as a school teacher
Ia that year he joined the society aud
in 1S47 he was elected trustee, a pos.
riiun which he held until his death.
The death Of Jacob Heurici, re.
calls to the attention of the general
public this remarkable society, foun.
ded by George Rapp, a German, pie
list who was inspired with the idea of
restoring Christianity to the print
tive condition of the first church al
Jerusalem. Ia which the members
held all things 10 common, Rapp aud
his band of religious enthusiasts set
tied FIRST in Pennsylvania aud Indi
ana, returning soon to Pennsylvania,
where they remained. 10 each loca-
ton they prnspered in the worlds
gnods, aud the little band of aged
men aud women serving at the vii.
lage of Economy hold property
reaching well into the millions
Their lands are among the most pro
r%iuctive in the state and are under.
laid with coal, natural gas aud oil.
They have engaged 10 numbering uud
'ther manufacturing enterprises, and
whatever they have touched has tnrn.
I'd to gold.
Prosperous as the society has been
from a material point of view, il has
SiguaIly failed of realizing the ideal
of its founders that of leavening
Christianity with the c%omnunistic
idea. Adopting c~elibscy as one of
their cardinal principles, the society
If Harmoisls failed to recruit their
numbers by the natural process, and
they have quite as ~signally failed in
securing converts from the outside.
Communism failed to attract the sin.
cerely religious young men aud women
of the county, and the shrewd0ess of
the Economist leaders saved them
from being imposed upon by adven.
lures seeking mere food and shelter.
The result has been that the society
has decreased in numbers aud has
failed TO impress its principles or
practices upon the surrounding com.
munity. All that remains is a baud
of old people enormously rich III
The aggregate without heirs or pros.
pect of continuous succession.
Signally as the society has failed
Of realizing the dream of its enthusi.
astic founder, possessions have at.
tracIed the couvetous eyes of greedy
adventures and is now an open ques.
ZION whether its accumulated milliuns
will eventually enrich some uuscrup
ulous pretender or escheat to the
state. The successful management
If the property Of the community up
To this time has been due TO the re
markahle executive ability of two
men GEORGE RAPP, the founder of
the society, ana JACOB HENRIcI, his
successor, who has just died. The
temporary continuation of the com.
muniIy now depends upon whether
u real successor to Heinrich can bp
found. At best the end must suon
come unless ONE young blood eau be
infused into the organization. of which
there is at present no indication.
John Duss, the junior trustee, is ia
charge Of the society aud has been
ClCClCss 5uCCCSeuT 10 Hdlu6T I1tnTlcI
at a meeting of the board Of elders
Duss has power as absolute as thu
Gar of Russia. He 10 intelligent, far
superior To any man in the communi
~. Besides having autneraiic gu
thoriIy over all, no controls the &C
lion and votes Of the board of elders
If be so wished and the state Law.
+ sh uld not interfere, be has il 10 hi,
power to appropriate every vestige q
the society's possessions to his owl
use. This authority was vested lasI
Thursday and the agreement wai
signed by niue teuths of The members
1t is stated that the wealth of the so
cirty has been greatly overestimated
but just what the interests are valued
al canuOt be harmed.
"
Some lntere ting statistics.