The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1912-06-26
PEOPLE WHO DWELL IN UNITY
MEMBERS OF THRIVING RELIC
TOUs SECT IN IOWA STATE.
women of Amana Communisuc So
ciety, Founded Years Ago. En-
joy Equal Rights.

There is a community in the Unit
ed States where women have received
their rights for IS consecutive years
This is in the Amana Communistl'
Society located in Johnson county
Iowa. In this district, which mas
membership of 1850, women are &C
corded equal suffrage with men
eligibility to all offices, equal parCcl-
nation in the wealth of the commu-
nitv exemption of mothers from al
work in the first two years Oh
chiId's life, relief from Kitchen du-
Ties one out of every three weeks
free nursery and playground Tor tnelT
children, lifelong care after Decom-
ing aged. medical attendance when
IN respectable and Christian burial
and support and education OF their
children.
How the Society Was Founded.
The founding of the Amana society
is similar to the Pilgrim settlement
in this country, as 500 Germans came
TO the United States in 1894 from
their native land, where they had
been prosecuted, to seek freedom or
religious worship. The members OF
This unique society are believers in
divine inspiration today, as well as
in fine times of old. While the eco
nomic management Of the communl-
tv has been voted to men, woman
was their last and greatest prophet.
Her name was Barbara herman.
From the mere handful of Ger
mans who obtained 5000 acres OF
land in Johnson county in 1884 the
community has grown to its present
membership. 1t clltivates now 26,-
225 acres of land and operates two
wooden mills, one cotton factory, a
flour mill, seven saw mile. eleva-
tors and other industries,
Under Strict Rules
The Amanaites are liVinG not Tor
worldly gain, but for the prepare
ton of their souls for the future life.
With all their wealth, each member
can have but the ordinary necessi-
ties Of life and freedom from 3rudg-
cry. 1t is perhaps owing 10 the en-
forcement of their religious rules
thaz their financial development is
due. for this brings about great
saving through forbiGding thee
ma, i. CrIgence of Am 'rican To-
men.
The women of today would hardly
gain equal political rights at the sac
rifice demanded in the Amana COM
munity A uniformity of dress of the
simplest nature is required No
dances are permitted, no theaters
are admitted, and no music is al
lowed other than that produced by
the human voice. Houses are I'M
painted, personal photographs are
forbidden as craven images, jewelry
branded as sinful and all frivolous
decorations of persons or home are
forbidden Even the graves of the
dead are marked only by a simple
wooden cross, bearing the name, date
of birth and of death.
There are seven villages in this
society, namely: Amana, West
Amana, South Amana, High Amana,
East Amana, Middle Amana, and
Homestead. These are subdivided in
to communities, where a common
kitchen is maintained to feed from
80 to so, the members of one COM
munity. A woman supervisor is ap-
pointed by the trustees for each
kitchen, and every woman in the
community is subject to kitchen du-
ty. The rule, however, is two weeks
work and one weeks vacation.
In connection with each kitchen Is