The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-07
STRUCK A SNAG.
The Attempt TO Dissolve the Zonr Conf
muniiy may Fail-Threc Women Enter
a Protest Against Dissolution.

The Attempt to Dissolve the Zonr Cont
niunity may Fail-Three Women Enter
a Protest Against Dissolution.
The dissolution OF the famous old
Zoar society, and the settlement OF Its
affairs has been abruptly checked by an
obstacle which seems well-nigh unsur-
mountable, says a Canal Dover dis
patch. The peculiar situation is view
cd with the greatest interest through
out the vicinity. Three women. who are
among the Oldest living members OF this
queer society OF "Separatists." hold
the key TO the situation and unless
they give up the decided stand which
they have taken, endless trouble and
litigation will follow for those who are
In favor OF disbandIng and distributing
the wealth among the Individual mem
bers.
I 1t Is only within two days that the
carrying forward Of the settlement OF
affairs was brought TO an abrupt stop.
When disband!ns was quietly talked
among the Zoaritcs and the matter was
carvasscd among the members, all who
were approached were In favor or the
move AMI opposition from the three
women In question was never dreamed
of. The names Of those who are stand
ing In the way OF n settlement as firmly
as stone wall, are Elizabeth Gimme
Christina Goesely and Elizabeth Fritz.
They are all widows and are well UP in
years. All their lives have been noted
for the active interest theE have taken
In the. society. Taking advantage OF the
right OF woman's suffrage, which Is
granted among the Zoarites, they have
always been active at the polls and are
thoroughly conycrsant with the bylaws
and constitution OF the society. Because
OF this fact their opposition Is all the
more feared and regretted.
4 singular fact in connection with
the affair Is that they are oil mothers of
large families OF children nnd their Off
spring have been the most active In the
general endenvo- 10 diEsuade them
from thelr position. The three women
have scorned the advice and p!eadlngs
OF their children and say they will new
er give up their determination to fight
against the dissolution while they live.
When asked for the reasons for their
attitude IN the matter, they said theT
were born and have lived under the
rule and Jurisdiction OF the society, and
will die under It. The women say that
after they are dead the remaining mem
hers OF the society may settle up their
affairs In whatever way they wish. but
never so long as they are alive. They
have been waited on by committees
composed OF the most influential mcm-
bers OF the society, hut will not listen
to arguments. Their share and that OF
their families would amount TO several
fortunes. vastly more than they can re-
alIZc so long as the society Is run un-
der Its present regime. II Is limited that
the shares OF the three might be hand
somely increased II they submitted to n
division. but they have passed their
lives so far under communicate rule and
nre loathe to give It up. They have new
cr been worth 4 penny. On the contrary
they have worked for the maintenance
of the society and what they have earn
ed by their toll has been turned into
the common exchcquer and for the re-
malnder OF their lives they want to be
governed rs they believe their beloved
king. Joseph BnumcleT. would wish
them 10 be, were he yet alive.
Louis Zimmerman, who Is treasurer Of
the society. md who Is one OF the most
ardent in favor OF n division. In speak
Ing of the three women who arc against
the wishes OF the majority. said:
eve believed that the sentiment In
favor OF dIsbandlnE was unanimous and
thought 1t could be accomplished In SIX
months ut the least. It has developed
that there Is active opposition, and this
may prove serious obstacle. can
say. however, that whatever Is done Will
be done amIcably and with the will and
consent of all the members. Arbitrary
steps and anything at variance to n
pcnceable settlement would be contrary
10 ouc constitution. We will not ask
outside assistance In the matter, We can
meet all of our obligations easily and
the less sIld about the matter 10 the
outside world the better for the society.
We regard It is none OF the puhlic's
business"
From his interview Il Is readily seen
TINT Treasurer Zimmerman Is opposed
10 fighting the three women In the
courts Some idea Of the great pressure
which Is being brought 10 bear on the
obstinate trio may bc had from the
fact TINT IN Gaze OF division OF the
wealth of the society the scnnt hundred
members would become heirs to over
million dollars worth of property even
after all debts have been Cancelled.