Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-07-25
HOW COOPERATION OF THE PEo-
PIE OF A COMMUNITY WINS.
STICKING TOGETHER COUNTS
Illustration of Some Of the Good
Things in clannishness as Found
in Some Agricultural Dis
tricts.

Olu7SOuhllg AuOoo Win vi W S~
new land, and refuse to mingle with
other than their own nationality. In
defense of these foreigners who are
thus charged, it is but fair to say that
man of them labor under the misap-
~prehension that they are not looked
upon by the older American citizens
as companionable. Often their lack
of a knowledge of the English Ian
guage makes their own class desir-
able associates. 1t will be observed
that in one or two generations condi-
ton changes and the children of these
foreigners become thoroughly Amer
icanized.
1t would be we'll if some of the
traits of clannishness that are manifest
in foreign colonies be generally prac-
ticed throughout the United States. In
1848 an effort was made to colonize
land in Missouri with a progressive
class of German citizens. The events
Immediately following this effort, the
loss of one shipload of immigrants
and the subsequent sufferings Of the
newcomers, is a matter of history.
But %undaunted hundreds of those who
at that time sought homes in the new
country, gained for themselves envi-
able places in the annals of American
history, and they founded commu-
mites that may well be held up as
models worthy to be copied. In Gas
conade county, Missouri, a large colony
of these people sought homes. There
they titled the soil and cultivated vine
yards. They were of one tongue and
of one religious belief, a highly moral,
Woodworking people, and their aim
was to found homes for themselves
and their progeny. To-day in Gas
conade county there is more evidence
of wealth, of culture and harmony
among the people than can be found
in any like area of the United
States.
From the founding of the colony it
was recognized that if progress be
made that the wealth produced by
members should be retained. Mills
were gradually built for the onv
sion of the grain into -four, wine
presses were found on almost every
homestead, and towns were built.
Among the first institutions establish
ed were schools and churches, and
these to-day are prominent factors in
the molding Of the character of the
people.
1t was one of the rules of the col
ony to assist one another. Each one
while working for himself and his
family, realized that it was to his adj
vantage to p~atronize his neighbor.
Thus when the towns were started
and stores opened, it was made a
rule that these stores be ~patronized
and that the store-keeper be allowed
a fair profit for the goods he sold.
Tailor shops, boot and shoe makers,
soap makers, and even the brewers
of beer found their customers solely
among the members of the colony.
Although st. Louis was within a few
hours ride, the members of the colony
considered that the dollars kept in
the little town instead of being spe1 t
in st. Louis meant much for the ad-
vancement of the place. AS years
passed by members of the colony be-
came prosperous. Families were
reared and children married, addition
al homesteads were secured and there
was a thorough cooperation among
all towards making life agreeable and
giving each member Of the commus
nifty a e of acquiring a compe-
tency. One Of the early undertake
ings was the building Of m~acadamized
roads. These roads to-day are kept
in the best Of condition and have
proved a matter of economy to the
county. Schools and churches, which
at first were roughly built, have been
replaced with magnificent edifices
which are sources of pride to the resi-
dents of the community. Some of
the small business places of 40 or so
years ago have grown to be of almost
national Importance. In fact all res
idents of the community are indie
pendent, and a few of them posses
sors of great wealth. How success
full they have been is shown by the
absence Of paupers in the county.
There are no public charges, neither
is there any great expense as to main
tanning a county Jail.
This community is but one of many
in the Mississippi valley and through.
out the west. Such communities have
been built up solely by the simple ad.
herence to cooperation among mem
bers and a following out of the home.
trade principle. Members realized
that every dollar earned in the com.
munity and sent to some other place
robbed the community Of SO much
wealth, and that this dollar ceased to
be a factor in increasing the impor.
lance and progress of the place. In
these communities are generally 10
Gated Touring mills. The output oil
these mills finds local sale and the sur
plus is sent to the markets to bring
in money from the outside. 1t ap
pears that If the simple economical
methods of many classes of citizens
of foreign birth were to be practiced
mor generally by people residing in
various agricultural communities Of
the United States, it would be whole
some and that these communities
would make greater progress. The
practice that has grown UP of pat
ronizing other than home institutions
has elements OF evil that are well
worthy of careful study. In these
years of progress the inclination to
economic in small things and to save