The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-08-01
VIRTUE I'm HARMONY
HOW COOPERATION or THE pBo-
PIE or a COMMUNITY WINS.
STICKING TOGETHER COUNTS
Illustration Of Some Of tho Good
Things in ciannIshness as Found
IN Some Agricultural Dis
tricts.

AZ callcQ clannlSnnesS among foreign
ers who become citizens Of the United
States. It is claimed that they carry
old-country ideas with them to the
new land, and refuse to mingle with
other than their own nationality Iii
defense Of these foreigners who are
thus charged, It Is but fair to say that
many Of them labor under the misap-
prehension that they are not looked
upon by the older American citizens
as companionable. Often their lack
Of knowledge Of the English Ian
guage makes their own class desir-
able associates. It viii be observed
that In one or two generations cOndi-
ton changes and the children Of these
foreigners become thoroughly Amer
icanlzed.
1t would be well II 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 colonlze
land In Missouri with a progressive
class Of German citizens. The events
Immediately following this effort, the
loss Of one shlpload 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 enyi-
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 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, highly moral
hard-working 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 II progress be
made that the wealth produced by
members should be retained Mills
were gradually built for the conver-
sion OF the grain into -four wine
presses we're found on almost every
homestead. and towns we're 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.
It was one OF the rules Of the col
ony to assist one another. Each one
while working for himself and his
family, realized that 1t was to his ad-
vantage to patronize his neighbor.
Thus when the towns were started
and stores opened, 1t was made a
rule that these stores be patronized
and that the store-keeper be allowed
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 speI
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 we're secured and there
was a thorough cooperation among
all towards making life agreeable and
giving each member Of the commu
nifty q means Of acquiring a compe
tency. One Of the early undertake
ings was the building of macadamized
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 edihcei
which are sources OF pride to the resi-
dents Of the community. Some oi
the small business places OF 40 or Sc
years ago have grown to be Of almesl
nationAl importance. In fact all res
idents Of the community are inde
pendent and a few Of them posses
sors Of great wealth. How success
ful 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
taining 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 70 cooperation among mem
bers and following out Of the home
trade principle. Members realizet
that every dollar earned In the com
munsty and sent to some other place
robbed the community Of 30 mucl
wealth, and that this dollar ceased t
be 3 factor in increasing the impoE
tahce and progress ~ the place. II
these comIgnitles are generally 10
Gated houri mills. The output o
these mills local sale and the anE
plus 10 sent the markets to brinI
IN money from the outside. II ap
pears that X the simple economica
methods Of many classes Of citlEenl
- t-..f.ss. Aa~th s~to~a - ~ v.ssm .ta..s.,