Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-21
STRANGERS TO WANT
Success Of the Mennonites of
Kansas.
CHANGING A DESERT TO A GARDEN
Farmers Who Have Never Com
planned of Hard Times.
COLONY PROJECTED
TOPEKA. Kan. March IL lea4


has sailed from New York on a trip TO
southern Russia to organize and bring to
Kansas a large colony OF Catholic and
Lutheran Mennonites Pomeroy was a resi-
dent of Kansas ten years, holding an official
position in the central branch of the Union
Pacific railroad, of which his father the late
K. NJ. Pomeroy of Boston, was the principal
stockholder. While young Pomeroy was in
the west. his father. at different times, pur-
chased large tracts Of land in Graham,
Philips, Rocks and other counties in north
west Kansas. AT his death he owned $1,000
acres which reverted TO young Pomeroy,
then located at Atchison.
The young man worked up numerous
schemes for selling his lands to the Ian less
in other states. but they all failed Two
years ago he went to Europe, his destina ton
being southern Russia, for the purpose OF
organizing large Russian colony for Kan
sas. Crops had failed there, and he found
that he would have to wait. He did not be-
come discouraged, but returned to this coun-
try with the determination of trying again.
Recently Mr.. Pomeroy sailed for Russia the
second time. He win remain there until he
shall have arranged for the shipment of the
largest colony Of Russian Mennonites ever
sent to the United States
MIR. Pomeroy carries to Russia an array
of facts concerning the prosperity of Men
nonites in western Kansas which will star
tie the toilers on the sterile plains of that
country.
A Mennonite Colony.
In 1874 and rs there was a great exodus
OF Mennonites from Russia to Kansas.
These people were exiled from that country
on account Of their religion. Agents came
In advance, and over 100000 acres of land
were purchased from the Atch'son, To-
peka and Santa Fe and Union Pacific
Railroad companies in Harvey, Mcpherson.
Cove and Ellis counties. The swarms of
Mennonites packed their household goods
and came on to occupy the new home and
begin life over again. One day 100 Of
these strange people were landed at New
ton. They wore coats made Of sheepskin
and over their heads were tied large black
'kerchiefs. They carried iron teakettles
in their hands, and. with such of the bel
ding and unique furniture as they could
strap on their backs, they followed their
trusted leader to the large tract " land
purchased for them seven miles distant
1t was not many days until village of
sod houses was built, and soon these were
supplanted with stone. structures With
queer hip roofs. double doors and adorned
with green blinds. In each Of these one
story houses was a curious oven, in which
prairie grass and straw could be burned
for fuel
During all the years of droIth, crop fall
ure and hot winds these people have never
asked for aid or seed wheat. They have
defied the elements and made d success
Of farming regardless OF these disadvanta ges
and are today the NEST Industrious and
consequently the most successful people
that ever plowed q furrow of Kansas soil.
The secret of 1t all is that they have no
time to attend to anybody's business but
their own, and, above all, they religiously
abstain from taking any part in politics.
They are plain and plodding, and are each
year piling up wealth in the arid region Of
the state where thousands Of Americans
have failed and returned to their wives
people" In the older states.
Among the Mennonitex.
There are about II 600 Mennonites in Kan
sas. They prosper every year, and their
homes are veritable storehouses Of garden
and field products. To step into them is
almost equal to a visit to the land Of the
Volga. Curious furniture, strange and
peculiar garb, and habits that impress one
that he is in another land and another age
Surrounding the low and sGuatty houses
are heavy stone walls and old country
fencing. Barns and farming implements
are everywhere numerous, but the farming
utensils arc under shelter and bright as
new, while the barns and bins are bursting
with the wealth OF the previous years
crops, in marked distinction TO the Ameri-
can neighbor, whose cribs are empty. and
whose farm machinery Il sheltered hy the
broad canopy Of heaven, while he is of at
the county seat town discussing the cir
culation percapitar'' and the down-trodden
condition of the toiling farmer
The Mennonites care nothiag for politics
They are never considered a factor IN a
county or state election. Their time is all
spent in filling their broad acres, raising
stock. planting orchards and piliny up
wealth. The thrifty western politician
standing on the street corner explaining
the contraction Of the currency TO Il knot
OF listeners. sees half-lozen odd-looking
wagons toiling up the road They are load
ed with wheat, and solemu-faced Nfennon-
ties, who guide the trusty teams rocl 81
. -
proclaim In the country school houses and
the rustling real estate agent pla;s addi-
tions to the towns, but the MennCnites nav
no attention to either.
They are simply initiating he little ant
and laying up treasures for the future
They have been selling wheat and corn
and cattle, and hogs. until they have be-
come the richest farmers, their number
within the boundary lines of Kansas.
Do Not Feel Hard Times.
Last year, when the complaints OF hard
times came from the jewellers on the plains.
resulting In thousands Of bushels of seed
wheat being sent to American settlers the
Russians continued to thrive. While the
natives were making daily trips to the rail-
road stations for their little quota Of seed
wheat and provisions, the old-fashioned ye-
hicles from the Mennonite settlements would
tran IN after them loaded with wheat that
was shipped east by the carload. OF course
there Is an important lesson In the success
OF these people.
They have demonstrated by their works
what Industry and frugality can accomplish
upon the bleak prairies. Still II is question
able IL the American farmer could bring
himself and his family to the grinding coon
omy OF the European peasant labor which
the Mennonites have transplanted in their
settlements.
Having observed the wonderful success Of
the Russian Mennonite farmers on the bar
rem plains OF western Kansas, Mr.. Pomeruy
the Boston millionaire, is determined to
assist in solving the problem of irrigation
by locating on his lands a class of people
who apparently have bafiied the elealcnts
and transformed the great American desert
into a veritable garden.
Favors Americas Policy.