The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-11-18
COMMUNITY OF ZOAR.
Old World Organization That is Flourish.
ing in Ohio.


America none are more interesting
than this one Of Zoar, located about
fifteen miles southeast Of Massillon,
Ohio. 1t owes its existence to q reil-
gious society not unlike that OF the
Frierds, founded in Germany 100 years
ago and driven from that land by re-
ligiQus persecution. In 1917 about go
OF the sect left Bavaria, Wurtemberg,
ana Baden, and after many weary days
of travel reached one of the most beau-
tiful places in Ohio, where they decid-
ed to locate.
This settlement was named Zoar,
and is still in fourishing condition,
although they have not increased In
numbers, as many of the younger
members, dissatisfied wita this small
world, have cut loose to make name
and fortune for themselves. Those
who separated themselves from the
celcny cannot lay claim to share IN
the property. The society, however.
usually makes voluntary gift. which
is sufficient to establish the deserters
in business. Until recently there were
no difficulties, but some of the young
people urged a division Of the proper
ty and that each one be allowed to
mGrage his own for himself. The
original charter. however, provided
thai the property could not be divided
Sd long as three members wished to
holG together. The place has the at
niosrhere of the old country from the
garden, with it's old-fashioned holly
hccks and bower covered with grape
vines, to the old Dutchman sitting ct
his back door on a high, straight
backed wooden bench. smoking his
pipe. There is an air Of cleanliness
and comfort about everything, for each
has the same pride in the whole as IN
the spot where he abides. The society
at present owns 1000 acres of land.
On the whole the cooperative sys-
ten. has been a great financial success,
although last year the society was
somewhat in debt. The crops have
leen exceptionally good this year. and
SO enough may be realized to cancer
the debt and the balance laid aside for
a rainy day. They have about 3GO
acres sown to wheat, 100 to rye and
200 to oats, anG this year the wheat
yielded so bushels per acre. Toward
evening one may see about 200 fat
COWS wandering toward the stables
and fling into their stalls in the most
perfect order. Each stall has the
name of it's occupant painted above it.
anG as the names become duplicated
number is added to the name, as Daisy
l and Daisy .. Each COW knows her
own stall. and always walks into the
right one. The milking is attended to
By the women, each woman having
certain number of COWS to milk. After
this task is finished the milk is car.
ried to one of the cleanliest Of dairies,
where some is apportioned to the dif-
fel ent families, and the remainder kept
at the dairy for butter and cheese.
Pesides the farm conveniences the
people have their own flour mill, saw
mill, wooden mill, and dyehouse, tan
neyy and brewery Their woolen mill
produces cloth for their clothing, blan-
kcts for their beds and also for their
horses The surplus from their mills
finds ready sale through the eastern
jcbhers. The Tuscarawas River flows
through their land, and furnishes pow
er tC run the machinery Of the several
mills which they operate. About fifty
har DIS are hired from outside the COL
Oily to help run these different mills.
Formerly these people We're gov.
crned by general agent" who LIVED
in large mansion, that IS still stand.
ing. At present the colony Is gov
erned by three trustees chosen by bal
Let. The colony is divided into two
Classes, one consisting Of those who
arc competent to vote because OF theiI
good behavior and age, and the other
Of those who still enjoy the benefits OF
the colony but have no voice in its
government on account Of their ques-
tio.,able character.
While sll speak both English an,
German the foreign language is spo.
ken almost entirely in the homes. In
the village school English is taught
three days week and German two.