The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-22
IT WAS BANKRUPT
An lowe Colony That Has Been
Dissolved.
Established by French Socialists Cen
fury Ago-Tbe Property to Sc Divided
Amopg the NcDberS-Mode
of Living.

The members of the Icarian coumun-
itv. three miles east OF Corning. Ia,
have mutually agreed that division
OF their property and dissolution OF
their society is to the best interests OF
all concerned, and steps are now being
taken TO that end The interests OF
heirs of deceased members ana other
legal intrieacies have rendered II advis-
able to appoint a receiver and put the
matter into the hands Of the eorrt,
though no animosities whatever exist
among the members Of the community
This community. says q recent dis
patch, is socialiStic in the extreme It's
founder was E. CADET, and its inception
dates back to period just previous to
the French revolution when about six
tv-nine socialists embarked from Havre,
France. for Texas and located near the
Red river in Eanin county. Internal
disseusions and outward privations dis
couraged the band and they removed
TO New Orleans As soon as CADET, VINO
was still in France. learned OF this
change Of base he sailed for New Or
leans and immediately assumed person
al supervision of the colony. Under his
leadership they migrated TO Nauvoo.
Ill, which place had just been deserted
by the Mormons, after the killing OF
Joseph Smith. Here the Icarians en-
gagged in various pursuits and were
successful in their enterprises for a
time Additions 10 the society made
the total membership about two hum
dred and eighty persons. However, in
ternal dissensions created division and
in 1856 CADET and about one hundred
and seventy of his adherents left tho
remainder and went 10 St Louis,
where the founder of Icaria died OK
apoplexy in the same year. Meantime.
the other faction had settled in Adams
county, Ia. and were Incorporated un-
der the laws of the state as "Icaria- !"
They have resided there ever since.
In 1870 the liabilities of the commu-
nity were about four thousand dollars.
while the assets were computed at
about sixty thousand dollars. How
ever. another rupture between con-
tending factions occurred in 1879, when
the property was equally divided and
a considerable portion of one faction
departed for California. The remsin-
ing members continued In the original
communistic manner of living. During
most of the time from 1879 until the
present date Jean Retainer has served
as president of the community, and the
duties of his office have been very eth
GENTLY conducted.
This community Is perhaps the only
one in the United States, II not IN the
world, which is conducted upon such
ultra-socialistic principles. A German
community at Amana. Ia, is similar TO
Icaria in some respects, but its citizens
are far more conservative IN many re-
spects. In Icaria departmental heads
have always been chosen, and the en-.
tire business of the community con-
Quoted as though II were one vast far-t-
ily. A common table furnished food
for all. one person purchased all sup
plies for wearing apparel. another per
formed like office in experimenting
agricultural opera ti0ns, and so on Az
one time the settlement published an
official organ called La Revue 1catsn.
and numerous other industries we're
engaged in besides farming.
The objects and tenSts Of the com
munity are well set forth In few para
graphs from the constitution, rs wit.
ness the following: ut Is established in
the interest of entire humanity, IN de-
votion to its well being, in order TO
present to it e system OF society cspa-
bic of rendering it happy, and 10 prove
by experience that communism based
upon complete solidarity is realiza bic
and possible"
A common fund supplied the wants
Of all and q common treasury received
the earnings and savings of all gen
eral assembly of ell fcarians over
twenty-one years Of age, irrespective Of
sex, constituted the Legislative author
ity, while executive power was vested
in three trustees Withdrawals were
permitted by the person desiring "a
sever his connection @ith the society
irving one months notice OF same,
whereupon the general assembly took
into consideration his circumstances
and the value OF his services To the com
munity while a member, aud paid him
a reasonable compensation Tor sarns' m
addition % two-thirds Of the amount oil
his original investment. Members w~rc
free TO follow their inclinatiOnE IN re
gard 10 religious dogInas and exerciSed
the greatest liberties IN ell matter,
which di. not interfere with any Of the
| socialistic tenets-
About ten thousand dollars in realty
and one thousand acres Of land VIII ID
divided among the members.