Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-25
THE AMANA COMMUNITY.
A Successful SOcialistic Organization
I'm the State Of Iowa.

tnC StAAC Va AoVNs
From the st. Louis Globe-Democrat
1.-The believers in socialism should visit
little settlement in Iowa county, Iowa,
which carries out the socialistic prin ciples
most beautifully. and has done so for forty
years." said Silas NJ. Young. 1T is called
the Amana Community, or Society of True
Inspiration. Everything is held In common
the land. farm products. cotton and WOOL
en- factories, sawmills, the store the min
eral spring, and greatest Of all, the church.
There are about 1900 people in the commu-
nifty, and they own nearly all Of Iowa
county. A few of them were well to do, but
the majority were poorer than the average
Iowa pioneer when they obtained their
charter. In the first years of Iowa's state
hood. But every one put whatever he Lad
into the common till. chief clerk watched
over the incomes and disbursements. and
they all toiled hard. at first in the fields,
but in a few years in foundries and mills
as we'll. and today they are per capita, by
far the richest people in the state.
''1hey are very economical to be sure.
The regulation dress of the women is blue
calico. and the clothing Of the men blue
jeans; and they have no balls or theaters.
But their life, though simple, Is by no
means pitiful They have plenty Of milk
homegrown vegetables and fruits. and
their mealtime. which. German fashion.
comes five times day, brings great ceal
of good cheer They eat together in large
cooperative kitchens. which the women
keep wonderfully clean, and after supper
the men smoke placid pipe. and whoever
wishes to can solace himself with a glass
of beer.
1.-THE consequence of their diligence End
thrift is that their wares are much sought
after by the outside world. 'Amana blue
calico is known as far as the state OF
Maine. and whatever bears their trade
mark is sure to be exactly what 1t claims.
1.-The district which they own Is beauti-
fully situated, and the air of peace and
quiet makes 1t a delightful place for rest
and refreshment. Once In while the
young people grow weary of the monotony,
and the most reckless Of them sometimes
go far up the railroad track Of evenings
and play French harps. But this Is not
common. They are generally contented,
and no one has ever been known to leave
the community. Neither has there ever
been a suicide in the community, nor a
case Of insanity. There is very little need
of doctors. One CT their own NUMBER,
when they sent abroad to educate. tends
to all their ailments. and, without taking
much medicine they manage to live to a
vigorous old age.
Their religion is peculiar in its observ-
ance and requirements. 1t fOrbids their
taking oath or going to war, and enjoins
simplicity Of life. They are sprung from
Qrakers can also be traced, and they he
leve in the personal revelation of divine
truth. One Of their number. Barbara Hene
mann Landmarn, who died in 1854, and
now lies buried in their little graveyard,
was prophecies for many years, and it is
said that she foretold the civil war years
before it broke upon the nation.
Their church. like their houses, Is una
dorned, and scrupulously clean. Very few
outsiders are allowed within its precincts,
and none except those who enter in a rever-
ent spirit. White muslin curtains screen
the windows, the floor is scrubbed and
sarded, and an old-fashioned brick stove
warns the room. The seats are plain, I'M
painted benches. with stiff wooden backs.
On one side sit the men, on the other the
wCmen and hither they all come each day
to worship. Whoever feels moved to pray
or preach will do so, and all of them unite
I'm singing psalms. They take great COM
fort in their religion. 1t Is their bond Of
union, and their state would doubtless have
fallen long ago had it been built upon a
foundation less substantial.