The record-union., 1896-12-17
A PROPOSED ISLAND COLONY.
II is to be Established in the Balmy
Southern Sea.
A Seductive Scheme That Came Too
Late for General COxey's
Grand Army.

There is now in this city Colonel IL.
D. Wilgus. whose mission is to get
couple of hundred men to put UP f'W
each and go to one of the peaulliui
islands in the balmy Southern Sea,
and there unite with others IN SettlnS
UP Government of their own
What particular island has been Sc.
lected for the proposed invasion Is not
stated in the prospectus that is pelng
distributed about the city, nor Is IL
stated whether it is to be an uninhab-
fitted one or one where there Is rea-
sonable prospect of the colonists find
ing enough dusky beauties Tor waves.
The fact. however, that each man who
Joins the expedition is told to provide
himself with either a rifle, shotgun or
pistol, would indicate that some tribe
Is to be disciplined" or disposed of
in order to make the way clear for the
pilgrims.
The circular is headed, Men Wanted
to Join the South Sea Expedition and
reads:
1.-TWO hundred men are wanted to
Join us in purchasing a 300-ton bark
and eouipping ourselves for making
home in some of the beautiful islands
operative colony to cultivate the cocoa
nut, plantain, yam, banana, pineapple,
breadfruft, oranges, tobacco, coffee, etc.
All these reach luxuriant growth IN
the islands. There will be no fear of
starvation. The cocoanut dried is the
staple export and proves a great source
of wealth to traders. Hogs and fowls
are raised and form the chief meat
supply. We will own all things IN
common, yet this will not prevent each
man owning his own vine and fig tree
"a little home of his own-if he SO
chooses.
"A crew will man the vessel and ply
between the islands and the nearest
ports Besides handling our own pro-
ducts an extensive trade Will be car
ried on with the natives of adjoining
Islands A sloop for this purpose, and
also a sawmill to cut out the valuable
hardwoodS will eventually be added to
our equipment
What one man could not do alone
we can easily accomplish by this CO.
opera tive method. Should anyone wish
to withdraw his share after first year
or later, the colony will agree to ac-
commodate him after proper notice
After seeing the islands, should any
member be dissatisfied, the colony will
undertake to return him at the first
opportunity. The colony will be gov
erned by majority vote in all matters.
Here is an opportunity for wide-a-
wake young men who wish to get out
of the old ruts. The payment OF sou
into a local bank entities you to full
membership. The money will be han
died by your own committee, to be
elected at a full meeting. Should you
desire to withdraw at that time you
may do so and have your fee returned
Every member should, If possible, be
supplied with a repeating rifle or
shotgun, revolver, cotton clothing, can
vas shoes, tin plates, knives, forks and
spoons, etc, and all the tools possible" 3"
A Record Union" reporter met Col
Wilgus last night and in course of con-
versation learned that the idea Of the
colony had been talked of between HIM
self and Captain Albert Foster of San
Francisco some two years ago, and that
it has nothing whatever in common
with the scheme to colonize the Adam
less Eden,'' of which so much has been
said lately around the Bay.
The idea of the promoters was to
gather a company of from fifty to 200
active men who We're willing to work
on a cooperative or Socialistic prlnci-
pie, each having an equal interest in
the affairs of the colony and contribut-
ing an equal amount of money.
The sum of $50 had been suggested
as the amount to be contributed, but
If the number were leSsened it might
be found we'll to make the amount of
each individual contribution larger.
Wilgus says there are already thirty
five men in San Francisco prepared to
pay In 800 each and a score or more
of others We're ready with $50.
It is proposed to frame a constitution
and bylaws for the colony, and to hold
a quarterly congress at which all mat
ters relating to the colony shall be dis
cussed and all legislation enacted. The
President is to be simply the Executive,
with no veto power, only vote, such
as would be exercised by any other
member. In short, the colony would be
on the same footing as those of Altru-
ria The island which it is now pro-
posed to take possession of is one Of the
Caroline group. 1t contains fourteen
square miles and belongs to Spain. The