The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-12-14
TO BUILD new Town
voLIvA ACQUIRES 7ooo.ACRE
TRACT IN NEW MEXICO.
Successor to "Prophet" Dowie Plans
Model City Near Las vegas--To
start with 20 Families and
Expects 1000.


Chicago. o.--The attractive country
around Las Vegas, n. NJ, is to- be the
scene of the future operations of viii
bur Glenn Voliva and his followers
Elder Peters, who acted as the repre-
sentative of Mr.. Voliva in seeking a
new location for those who desire to
leave Zion City, has closed a contract
for 1000 acres in what is known as
the Las Vegas land grant. Mr.. Voiva
and his followers intend to sell out all
of their holdings in Zion City as rap
idly as possible and than to leave for
the west.
1t is expected that about 20 families
will he able to start west this winter
and they will be followed by others as
rapidly as they can wind up their af
fairs at Zion City. Elder Peters says
1t Is the expectation to have 1000
families settled on tho mesa east OF
Las Vegas within the next two years
Within few months II is believed
that a beginning will be made on the
model city that Voliva hopes to start,
The city is to have factories, stores, a
newspaper and Is to be self-goveln.
ing, II present plans are carried out,
Primarily the colony will devote It,
self to agriculture, but 1t is the in.
tention to build up the community
sufficiently so that there will be EN-
ployment of diversified nature
The site is not far from the hot
springs of New Mexico. 1t was chosen
after Elder Peters had made care
full examination of the situation, to-
gether with Prof. j. +. Tinsley, of the
New Mexico College of Mechanical
Arts, and Prof II. w. Campbell, or.
iginator of the dry Farming system
Both experts told Elder Peters that
the laid was valuable for agricultural
purposes.
This land tract is unique because OF
the fact that IL is owned by the city
of Las Vegas. which, therefore, be
comes the wealthiest community, per
capita, in the United States.
This city of 10000 inhabitants owns
500, 1000 acres, worth certainly $780,
900, and possibly as much as $1,000
000 The land is being placed in the
market I'm tracts of 5000 acres, and
one block must be sold before the next
is opened The money is to be used
as permanent school fund. The pro.
ceeds from the sale of the land will
be invested and the interest will be
used for maintenance of the public
schools. The schools will, therefore,
become Independent Of taxes and tax
ing authorities. This is believed to
be the only instance OF the kind in
this country.
What this system Is and what it
means for the land was explained at
recent congress at Las Vegas. Elder
Peters attended this congress- along
with several other Zion leaders. Pros
pective settlers and homeseekers from
Illinois, Iowa and Indiana were also
in attendance in considerable num-
bers. The sessions continued two
days, and at the recesses the visitors
were taken out in automobiles and
were shown the country.
The market for all kinds of, crops
| is large and is continually increasing.
| The soil is finely adapted to the cul-
ture of sugar beets, to which some of
| the farmers intend to devote consider.
able acreage. A beet sugar factory is
| promised If the plan is carried out.
While looking over the newly pur.
| chased ground Elder Peters said that
Mr.. Voliva would visit Las Vegas
| within short time.