Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1907-05-06
THE ALAMO COLONY
LETTER FROM G. {. TOWNSEND,
WHO is WELL PLEASED.
Says Hc Found the Colony Even Bet
ter Than Repre- Sented, and is Very
Content. His Story Differs From
That of others Who Came Back
With Different Story.

'>'NNt''S -
DR.. McIntuiir Of Idaho, has been prolific
of disputes, particularly in religious cir
Giles. 1t is far from the policy of the
HERALD to foster such feelings, but, III
the interest oi "a square deal, it pub
fishes the following letter from q. f.
Townsend, who was in business in the
Mitchell block, Market and q streets,
and who took his stock OF second hand
goods--a couple of car loads-to the
colony. The communication is longer
than we would ordinarily be disposed to
yield space, but for the reason that a
family had returned to Aberdeen from
the colony, and gave to the press very
long story, which differs so much from
that of Mr.. Townsend, that fair play de.
mands the publication of this letter. Let
him speak for himself:
EDITOR HERALD,
Aberdeen, Wash.
DEAR lR:-Before leaving Aberdeen
to make my home in the Alamo Colony,
many interested in this great undertake
ing for humanity asked me to write them
how l found things at the colony. So,
take this means OF giving the informa-
tiop rather than by so many personal
letters.
I left Aberdeen April II, and arriving
at the colony, found as follows First:
There are IS souls living at the colony as
members, and teacher OF the school. |
found the people Industrious and happy,
and busy planting crops and improving
the property, by ditching, fencing, etc.
DR.. McInturf did not look like | saw
him in Aberdeen, when he was preach
ing to struggling men so earnestly. |
found hjns4ehard at work in the field,
dressed as a farmer, and as common in
his life as his garb.
found things equal, if not much bet
ter, than represented by DR.. McinturT
to me in Aberdeen. The lands are of the
very richest quality. The great bottom
on the river contains 400 acres, about
1900 acres of which are in various stages
OF cultivation. There is not a stone tr
standing tree ON this land.
The hill lands are covered with fine
timber, and the soil is splendid for fruit
and grain. The water supply from the
river, creek and numerous springs is
abundant, and OF the very best quality.
Any five acres OF the bottom land under
proper cultivation would support FAM
lily. To show the plan of land owner
ship, l quote the following from the
colony constitution:
Article 8, Sec. 4. "On becoming a
member OF the said colony, and having
complied with the rules for becoming a
member of the same, no matter how
much or how little money or property
one has put in, or whether they could
put in anything or not, he at once be-
comes an equal owner of all the property
OF the colony" Article 4, Sec. 5, says:
sThe real estate now owned or to be
owned in the future shall remain per-
petually and forever local unit, and no
member OF the colony shall ever have a
right to enter any court of justice, or
bring any suit which will in any way
affect the common ownership OF the
land. These said colony lands shall per.
petually and forever be for the common
good OF all, etc.
There are over 200 head OF live stock
on the farm the food supply is placed
in common commissary, after being
purchased at Wholesale, and all have
what they need. Beef, when not slaugh-
tered here, is bought at wholesale and
placed in the ice house for all.
After enumerating the line OF pro
visions on hand upon his arrival, Mr..
Townsend proceeds:
~ am glad indeed to have found such
a splendid home for myself and family.
"The old houses are being replaced as
rapidly as possible by class more
modern and convenient.
"Tell my friends they will make no
mistake in coming to this beautiful home
OF peace and goodfellowship."
Respectfully yours,
~