The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-03
TO RECLAIM LAND
VIII Be Made in Hersch
Jewish Colonies

Experiments VIII BE Made in Hersch
Jewish Colonies.
New Brunswick, y. J., Oct. 3O-State
! Geologist Kummel who has been consult
ing with Governor Voorhees, for some
time on the matter Of redeeming the
state forest lands. win send out in a short
time bulletins Of forestry, so that the
people viii be brought TO see the posi-
bitities Of the states woodlands and
make more than half A million acres
cleared and prosperous land.
Some time ago a movement, looking
in the same direction, was placed on foot
to have the state own the forest lands.
New Jersey is at present about half will
derness, the wilds Of the southern part
Of the state making up this great percen-
tage. The possibilities of this unculti-
waited section were recognized years ago
by Russian and Polish Jews, who estab-
Iished colonies there.
There is a circle in the South Jersey
pine lands, touching points in Cumber-
land, Salem and Cape May counties. that
are experimental, and, in the main, sue
cessful colonies. Such are Alliance, Rus
enhayn, Carmel, and Woodbine, Baron
de Hirsch's well known colony.
Alliance, in Salem county, was at one
time in the eyes of benevolent people of
both America and Europe, and its estab-
lishment was hailed as a solution of an
international problem. The prosecuted
Jews of Russia were fleeing by shiploads
and throwing themselves upon the mer-
cies Of other nations. particularly Eng
land. England, to relieve herself sent
-
their disposal in this country became a
philanthropic question. This section had
the advantage of being close to the mar
kets of New York and Philadelphia Land
was very low, acreage enough for a whole
city being purchasable for the price of
4 single city lot. Soon the wilderness be-
gan to blossom. Vineland was trans
formed from a woodland hamlet into a
pretty city. attracting buyers from all
parts Of the country, with successful for
eign colonies surrounding it. Mammon-
town had evolved out of a dense wood
land into a big tract Of small fruit farms
Egg Harbor became a prosperous German
village With these successful expert
ments in view. the Hebrew Aid society
was induced by a Vineland agent. who at
that time was an immigrant commits
sioner, TO purchase a tract which became
Alliance. The tract purchased was some
distance from the New Jersey Southern
railroad and six miles from the West
Jersey railroad. A road was cut through
the woods. a large square opening made,
and q coarse barracks erected. The plot
of 1000 acres was later slit into 15-acre
lots, and small cabins erected. at a cost
of $50. to be paid for in twenty years,
without interest.
In spite Of these charitable plans there
soon came signs Of discomfort. Across
the country ten miles or so there was an
older colony known as Estelle, in Atlantic
county. It's inhabitants possessed some I
means.
Creating farms in the wilderness did not
appeal to the inhabitants Of EsteIle, and
many of them started out as peddlers.
soon EsteHe became deserted village, !
and the fate of the older ebony had
effect upon Alliance. The /
people OF the latter settlement began to !
grow dissatisfied and wearied the Hebrew /
Aid society beyond patience by impor-
tunities for money to start up IN business
or for working their little farms. The /
aid society, TO get rid of the annoyance, +
gave the colony over to the Alliance Land |
Trust
The families that remained were patient I
md Industrious. They raised fruit. some /
Of them realizing from $500 70 $500 a year. /
In winter they made garments for New /
York concerns Some OF them started the 4
making of cigars and cigarettes. The cot /
ages Were enlarged an English public /,
school was started and a synagogue or
ranized- Many prospered TO the extent /
1f giving their children advanced educa- /
tons. In the course OF time several large !
Industries located st Alliance. The town
gradually extended towards the railroad
md now stretches along a single street
hree miles TO Norma, The nearest rail-
osd point.
Rosenhayn. another 81 the Hebrew
ettleruents was started about the same
irle as Alliance Il was directly on the
inc Of the New Jersey Southern railroad.
midway between Bridgeport and Vincland Z
me New York Hebrew EN- grant Aid So
ioty placed SIX Jewish families at Rosen-
avn. which now is wei organized VII
-ga Of 90 peonle one OF the features
= the place is q cooperative factory.
-here each employee shares the profit Of
Month. 1t appears 10 De working wel.
Carmel. like Alliance, missed the lire
( the railroad. It has no association or
orporation backing. II was started IN
IS 10y the ASSOCIATION % I'o families
-hich. having a little capital. wanted 10
~ out of New Torks crowded teae-
tents They selected q site between Deer
ed and AIuvule. The money TO build
heir homes was secured from the Bridge
N and Salem BiElding ana Lean associa-
ION. Having no backing. before they
cached an earning capacity. the mort
axes on their property became due and
roperty after property was sold under ,
1reclosure Proceedings. The coIonists
ealized 5hat they were hopeless and ap-
called 20 Baron de Hirsch. who advanced S
'o-Q Carmel today is successful coll I
~. hut IL IS seven miles from any other g
lace. and IS three miles from the Bridg- 3
re and Mniviue traction line The town 3
small. the synagogue being the Only
lblic building. There are several small !
dustries. bet most Of the inhabitants Z
Il TIL the SOL. :