The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-07-20
Kansas's Mennonite Colonies,
From the New York sun.

The leaders of the Mennonite colony
near this city and of the one in western
Kansas are anxious t0 have the public
understand that they have no part in the
numerous emigrations from this state to
Russia. The thousands Of Russians now
returning home are all of the class known
as peasants and they never were friendly
toward the Mennonites. In fact. the
peasants frequently assisted in the persecu-
tion of the Mennonites until the latter were
practically exiled from their homes in
southern Russia The Nennonites say
that these peasants never were successful
or even fairly prosperous in Russia, and
few if any of them would ever become
good citizens of the state were they to
stay. The Mennonites do not conceal
their satisfaction at seeing the peasants re-
turn to their old Russian homes
Kansas now has two well-eStablished
Mennonite colonies. The older was estab-
lished in 1870 and settled two years later,
and embraces fine tract in the northern
part Of Harvey county and the southern
part of Mcpherson county. The other
colony is near Hays City, in Ellis county,
where the Mennouitcs have over 100, 600
acres Of the finest land in that section
They were driven out Of Russia a few
years ago. and could not find suitable
trac, of land for their colonization plan
without going out into what Is generally
termed the arid district Of the state The
two colonies are very friendly aud are
closely allied in all their interests and un-
dertakings The old colony. few years
ago began the erection in this city of a
college. and while the western colony was
too poor to assist very materially in the
work. each member did something to show
a personal interest in the institution.
The members II the irst colony refused
to become citizens for several years. until
fully satisfied that the government would
respect their religious scruple> against bear
ing arms. They still refuse To- vote exeep,
al school elections. They are totally in
different a to what political party controls
the government ~ long as they arr sure
the country viii escape all kinis and forms
It war
They hrough, with them from their
Russian homes many ef their strange Gus
tu,n, They brought all their household
utensils aud their personal belongings. and.
while most Of them now have u,omy. eom-
Portable houses. they cling tenaeiou>iy 80
al their queer traps. Their I'D c,~tumcs
Of skins are carefully preserved aud arr
nos worn excep, on special osCa>ions
Their 6rst houses were built with double
,loors. but they have dropped that style
They cling to their I'D style bakeovens
and have baking day once week a. in
the old country
While the ordinary Kansas farmer strug-
sl,s along. dividing his time between run
niue the farm and running the country,
aud dividing his cash between the sax
gathercr aud the interest collector, the
Mennonite quietly pursues the even tenor
Of hi, way. He ploughs 10 plant, plants
to grow a crup and Is seldom disappointed
sad when the crpp y harvested he pays
BIZ taxes with what ogher farmer, allow e.
so to waste They are happy in the
Thought thar they owe no man dullsr
|, ]. part 1t their eresd never tp buy any
thing ics which ,hey have not the cash to
pas. Merchants say that the Mennonite
J. their hest customer
tine element of their success b their
system Of diversified farming, When the
rhiuyh bug cuts the corn craP short. they
have good crop ef wheat II cholera
kills some of their hugs they have few
sheep lss os fat sseeFS, aud good Young
horse 10 sell They make it rule never
e. be- foTced to sell 70 pooT markel