Gilpin observer., 1904-12-01
KORESH COLONY
OLD RELIGIOUS SETTLEMENT

OIO LIG o v s SETLEMENT
Or. Teed Promises to Rival Dowie as
the Founder Of Sect and Eco
nomic Movement.
A religious and economic settlement
That promises to rival Dowie's in size.
and importance has sprung up in Flor
Ida. The founder Is DR.. Cyrus T. Teed.
who does not claim to be a second
prophet, but who does claim to possess
more brains and knowledge than the
majority of even our so-called learned
men. The basis of the sect seems to-
be purely material. His religious cog
nomen is Koresh. which is said to be
the Hebrew word for Cyrus. He claims
to have discovered the secret Of mans
redemption, not through miracles, but
through scientific process. What these
processes are has not been disclosed to
vulgar and profane world that might
scoff. His scientific system, if it may
be called such, is known as the Kore-
shan Universology, and it denies
pretty much everything our scientists
think they have demonstrated. For in
stance; it is claimed that we are dwell
ing in the center of the earth rather
our astronomy and other sciences are
said to be wholly WRONG.
No religious vagary Is too wild to
attract adherents, and, of course, DR..
Teed has his disciples who are giving
up their wealth to help found their set.
tlement in Florida. They are said to
have hundreds of square miles of land
on the sea coast, and they have started
a small community called Estero City,
which they hope to make the largest
city in the world. The way they have
laid it out and the flattering terms in
which they advertise their venture
make 1t all sound like a real estate
speculation, but it Is claimed that the
city will be run on the communistic
plan. The city as Incorporated in
cludes a larger area than that of
Greater New York
In their communistic life the Kore-
shans sustain some resemblance to the
primitive Christians, who held their
possessions in common. Their secular
organization is called the Koreshan
Unity which is incorporated according
to the laws of the state of New Jer-
sey. The properties held by the Ko-
reshan Unity are owned in common by
the members. In Lee county, Florida,
alone, they own about eleven square
miles of land.
The founder of Koreshanity mani
tests many of the elements of simple
life; but his simplicity is interviewer
with a complexity of character and
the elements of possible achievement
and high attainments.
He is man of great determination.
which is easily observable in the pro-
truding chin and the clear, steady look
of the eye. He has promulgated his
system for many years and labored pa
tiently in the building up of his insti-
tuition.
The government of the Koreshan
Unity as a body distinct from its po-
litical and secular relations, is vested
in an imperial head, called the pre-em-
inent. who constitutes the executive
power of the system. The governing
body is called the pre-eminent concil-
ium. The pre-eminent presides at the
meetings OF this body. The title of the
pre-eminent is Victoria Gratia Kor-
esh." signifying Victoria by the grace
of Koresh.
The woman who is thus honored
with the title and executive Office
of the Koreshan Unity was originally
Mrs. Anna VI. OTuWdy, Recently Vi Sni-
cago. Mrs. Ordway is about 60 years
of age. Victoria Gratia is forceful
character of great executive ability, a
splendid disciplinarian and is greatly
beloved by her people. She is well cal
culated to enforce the government of
a scientific and religious body, having
for its aims the highest good not only
of its own society. but the improve
meuf Of the conditions of the entire
world.-Detroit News Tribune.