Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-04-24
4 Bankrupt Colony.

L Ut NItllOEie vi lIC 1uNdllAA NNhiN''
nifty, three miles east of Corning, Ia, have
mutually agreed that division of their
property and dissolution of their society
is 10 the best interests of all concerned,
and steps are now being taken to that end.
The interests Of heirs of deceased members
and other legal intricacies have rendered
it advisable TO appoint receiver and put
the matter into The hands of the court,
though no animosiies whatever exist
among the members Of the community.
This community, says a recent dispatch,
is socialislic in the extreme. It's founder
was E. CADET, and its inception dates back
to period just previous to the French
revolution when about sixiyniue social
lists embarked from Havre, France, for
Texas and located near the Red river in
Fanin county. Internal dissensions and
outward privalions discouraged the band
aud they removed TO New Orleans AS
soon as CADET, who was still in France
learned of this change of base he sailed
for New Orleans and Immediately assum-
ed personal supervision of the colony
Under his leadership they migrated 10
Nauvoo, H., which place had just been
deserted by the Mormons, after the kill
ing of Joseph Smith. Here the Iucariaus
engaged in various pursuits and were sue.
cesslul in their enterprises for time
Additions TO the society made the total
membership about two hundred and eigh'
ty persons. However, internal dissen-
slons created division and in 1856 CADET
and about one hundred and seventy Of his
adherents left the remainder and went to
ST. Louis, where the founder of Icaria died
of appoplexy in the same year. Mean
time the other faction had settled in
Adams county, Ia, and were Incorporated
under the laws of the State as "Icaria."
They have resided there ever since.
In 1876 the liabilities of the communi-
ty were about four thousand dollars,
while the assets were computed at about
sixty thousand dollars. However, anoth-
er rupture between contending factions oc
Cured in 1879. when the property was
equally divided and considerable por.
ton of one faction departed for California.
The remaining members continued in the
original communislic manner of living
During most of the time from 1879 until
the present date Jean Bettainier has serv-
ed as president Of the community, and the
duties Of his Office have been very eff.
GENTLY conducted.
This community is perhaps the only
one in the United States, il not in the
world, which is conducted upon such ultra
socialistic principles. A German com
munity at Amana, Ia, is similar to Icaria
in some respects, but its citizens are far
more conservative in many respects. In
Icaria departmental heads have always
been chosen, and the entire business OF
the community conducted as though it
were one vast family. A common table
furnishes food for al one person purchas.
ed all supplies for wearing apparel, an
other performed like Office in superin.
tending agricultural operations, and so on.
At one time the settlement published an
official organ called La Reveu IcarieD,
and numerous other industries we're en-.
gagged in besides farming.
The objects and teneis of the commu-
nifty are well set forth in few paragraphs
from the constitution, as witness the fol
lowing at is established in the interest
of entire humanity, in devotion 10 its well
being, in order to present to it a system
of society capable Of rendering it happy,
and to prove by experience that commun-
ism based upon complete solidarity is
realizable aud possible"
A common fund supplied the wants Of
all and common treasury received the
earnings and savings Of all A general
assembly of all Icarians over twenty-one
years Of age, irrespective Of sex, cOnstitu-
ted the legislative authority, while execu-
tive power was vested in three trustees
Withdrawals we're permitted by the per.
son desiring to sever bis connection with
the society giving one months notice Of
same, whereupon the general assembly
took into consideration his circumstances
and the value Of his services TO the com
munty while a member, and paid him a
reasonable compensation for same, in adj
dition 10 two-hirds Of the amount OF hi:
original investment Members were free
to allow their inclinaIions in regard to re
ligious dogmas and exercised the greatest
liberties in all matters which did not iD-
terfere with any OF the socialistic teneis
About ten thousand dollars in reality
and one thousand acres Of land will be
ltvsHaJ mona, tho mann bara