The times., 1901-04-29
END OF THE sHALAM COLONY.
Their Famous Observation-Disclosures
Organization No More.

Ell PAS0, Tex April 2S.-The famous
ShaIam Colony is no more. Last week
this socialistic-religious colony, which
has been so much written about in news
papers and magazines, ceased to exist
as such. and it viii hereafter be cIassed
with the many other failures Of the kind
that have occurred from time to time in
different parts of the world. BY a de-
cision rendered in Las Cruces, y. NJ,
last week by Judge Parker the property
reverts to a. NJ Rowland. who has been
chief of the colony for several years
since the death Of the widow of DR.. New
brougf, the founder. The colony is now
entirely abandoned, and it is said that a
large sauatorium will soon be erected on
the site Of it.
The Shalam Colony was established
twelve years ago by DIR. Newbrough, a
dentist from New York. He was a spirit
ualist and medium. and asserted that
while under the influence of spirits. he
wrote the book which he called "Oahspe,
New Bible. According to this book,
it is unlawful to eat meat or to kill any
kind of animal for any purpose. 1t teach
es a sort of pantheistic religion, and
contains what purports to be a history
of the creation of the world. Il is q
strange and weird book full Of extraor-
binary illustrations and strange tales.
The colony was supposed TO have been
founded in obedience to the command of
spirits, and was established about fifty
miles north of FL Paso. in a bend of the
Rio Grande River, occupying a large
tract of fertile land. Mr.. Howland was
one of DR.. Newbroughs first converts.
After the death of Or. Newbrough, his
widow became the head of the colony, but
she soon died. and Mr.. Howland was
made chief Few persons came to the
colony. and fewer remained. Then it was
planned to collect from all parts of the
country orphans of all ages and raise
them in the doctrines Of ShaIam, and
from this reform the whole human race
They were allowed to eat no meat, and
wore few clothes for the greater part Of
the year. White il was never taught by
the chief, a kind of free love soon pre-
vailed, and a bad state Of affairs follow
ed. For long time Mr.. and Mrs. How
land were the only adults in the colony
except the hired help, and little attention
was paid to the children. who had moth
ing to do except follow their own wills
According to the teachings of 'Oahspe," 8"
as he asserted, Mr.. Rowland some years
ago transferred the estate to twenty-six
Of these children, retaining for himself
the supervision as their trustee, the plan
being that they should own it in common
as their heritage. Seeing the plan was a
failure, however. he applied to the courts
to set aside this deed and restore the
property to himself, agreeing at the same
time 70 see that all the children were
placed in good homes and we'll cared for
! On these conditions his application was
granted.
Or. Newbrough the founder, was a
wealthy man and spent many thousands
a. dollars fHf4 COLONY He nUifr fine
houses, constructed reservoirs dug irri-
cation canals. ana put expensive machin-
cry wherever needed. He spared neither
money nor work in making the conditions
perfect and il looked for a time as if the
| colony would at least be a financial sue
| cess. Rowland. his successor. was also
wealthy, and spent his fortune in i'm
prOVementS.