Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-02-11

btti OtoucSN ny tho ANioiN NhNV !
Bishop D. n. McInturff of the
Peoples United church, of Spo-
kane, was about to locate a socia-
list-religious colony in the Koot-
enai Valley. The Bishop visited
Bonners Ferry last week and found
in the Kootenai Valley his Utopia.
He Immediately proceeded to close
deal for the Hye ranch, located
eight miles down the Valley. This
is tract Of 2731 acres. 1t was
formerly the Arthur E. Ball ranch,
with numerous additions made by
successive owners, who have been,
first, the Humphreys, of California;
then the Lmpey Bros, of Occur d
Alene, and recently Mr.. Hye OF
Spokane, who purchased the place
about a year ago for $4,000. The
present consideration is $4,000 in
trade for Spokane property.
1t is reported that the deal has
been closed and that ten families
will arrive to form the nucleus of
the colony.
Bishop McInturff explains the
principles upon which his socialis-
tic-religious colony is founded, as
follows;
Those who conclude to throw in
their lot with him must "burn all
their bridges behind them" as he
calls it. They must turn whatever
they have in the way of property
into the general fund, but if at the
end of a certain time they decide
to move away, they can take this
property with them after six
months notice. This is done SO
that the management of the colony
may not be taxed too heavily at
an unexpected time, should num-
Der OF persons decide to leave at
once.
They will receive land at the
rate of about five acres to each
family, this being deemed sufiiient
for its support.
ONE SUPREME JUDGE
A president will be elected, and
he will be assisted in the govern
ment OF the colony by secretary
and treasurer and such other Of
fers as the development Of the
community may require, Their
will be elected one judge, and Q
number of peace officers. The lat
Ter will bring all offenders agains
the laws of the land and of the
church before the Judge, whose de
cision in all cases shall be final
If the offender disobeys the decree
of the Judge he will be taken beior
a board of seven deacons, who viii
cxpel him from the church, whicl
will mean from the colony.
The seven deacons are to be il
, imitation of the ancient church, 70
the Bible says; "Look We out sew
en- men full of the holy spirit an
of wisdom" The number of char
= ter members will be limited to 1
men, with their families, whic
:, will mean about 80 votes, for i
the new colony all women and a
y children above the age of Is yeai
- will have a vote. After that, an
one who wishes to come in mus
first become a member of tn
" chuCh, after which he is to /
tested for a period Of six month
: in the colony. During that tim
his character, disposition and il
dustry will be looked into, an
they being satisfactory, he will
I voted upon. A three fourths vo
will be necessary for electio
The congregation of the churC
at present numbers about $50, an
many of them will become mer
e bers OF the colony.
n CAN NOT SELL LAND.
r The majority of the inhabitan
will be expected to take their mea
st in the large colony eating hall
be erected.
Is I. The buying OF provisions, Il
buying and selling of cattle, al
le in fact all OF the business of t
l. concern will be attended to
Is Is special committees, each with
respective head.