The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-07-30
COMMUNITY SYSTEM
Interesting Discussion of the
Methods of the Amana
Society of Iowa

Cedar Rapids, Ia, July %. TO the
Editor: Some OF your readers may be
interested in learning something of the
Amana Society, located about midway
between Cedar Rapids and Marengo
1t was established here in 1854 by the
Germans. The society now owns %.
900 acres Of land aud number 1900
souls. They pattern in all respects
after the same societies in the Father
land. with their peculiar ways and
customs and strange surroundings. IL
IL a religious sect and they settled in
this garden spot that they might en-.
JOY and perpetuate their religious be-
lief, and not for any commercial puv-
poses. The bible Is their creed they
want no commentaries, no sidelights,
no higher criticism; they take it liter
ally and they take ii all. 1t is the
fountain Of all truth with them. and
each paddles his OWE canoe to reach
it and drinks out Of his own cup.
They are the soul Of honor. don't know
how to cheat or lie. II they tell you
anything, don't question ii, for 1t is
true. IL they make a promise they
keep 1t. IL you trade with them,
take their word. II you buy wooden
clothes of them. of which they mann
facture N large quantity, it is all
wool. IL you buy veal of them. it
is all calf-you need not look for the
horns to see how old the bull was. IL
yvu buy farm produce OF them, you
can trust them to weigh II OF measure
ii and 1t will be correct. IL they
marry. they will remain husband and
wife until one is dead. Leave your
money with them and it il safe. The
Ten Commandments Is their law,
both in theory and in practice.
You are ready by this time to be-
lieve with me that they are n peculiar
people. Do you believe the teachings
of Voltaire and Payne and Ingersoll
would improve them anyY They are a
very plain people. They have no need
for milliners or dressmskeis. for the
women all wear homemade sunbonnets
and make their own dresses. Their
amusements are few and inexpensive,
no travelling or stationary showmen
need apply. All these people live In
seven little villages OF about equal size
and about two miles apart and each
containing about 70 acres Of land.
Each village contains a church and
schoolhouse. Their hous es are as
peculiar as the people, very low AID
plain, never painted on the outside,
no papering on the inside. the plaster
ing icing whitewashed and their
floors are covered with homemade rag
carpet. A tre' tie work covered with
grape vines heavily loaded with fruit
surround their houses about a foot
away. Well kept gardens come near
ly to the doors. These people are
great lovers Of flowers and in great
profusion and variety they seem to
spring up spontaneously everywhere.
The back doors Of many houses are
connected by picturesque walks wind
ing around among the vines and
flowers, giving a wonderfully pleasing
and social appearance. On all this
reat farm, larger than a township.
there is not a building of any kind out
side the villages. They have large
herd of cattle and fiocks of sheep.
but all barns. yards and corrals are
inside the village limits. The hors-
es. sheep and cattle are almost mem
bers Of the family. They have 1000
acres of grain and 100 acres of garden
outside the village. / would like TO
describe this garden-weedlees. luxuri-
ant and beautiful. Ii would ornament
some parlors and certainly make the
table groan with good things. They
have a large wooden mill and manufac-
ture large quantities Of cloth. The
machinery is too intricate to describe.
1t seems to have almost human intel
ligence. There is but one bakery
one kitchen and one dining room in
each village. All eat at the same
table and have three full meals each
day and two lunches. We took dinner
with them and it was fine. Some
dishes l was not acquainted with and
did not care for an introduction, but
there was enough / did understand.
There is certainly an air of peace.
contentment and domesticity every
where.
This society is governed by 9 board
Of thirteen trustees elected annually.
They make all rules and they are
obeyed without question. They ap-
point the superintendents Of each
division Of labor and appoint the elders
Of the church and settle all questions.
They combine the Legislative, judicial
and executive branches:of the govern
ment. They govern wisely and kind.
ly, but little government IL needed.
They have religious services twice
each Sunday conducted by the elders
They have no minister. They have q
half hour prayer meeting every evening
In the week and at least q member OF
each family is required to attend each
evening. Il fear this rule, IL enforced
up there, would depopulate Madison).
We attended their school. which was
in session. You can judge a little OF
the character Of these people by a few
Of the many notices printed In large
letters and hanging or the walls,
which / quote: Respect one An
cther," ''Dare to do Right" "Act
well your PART" Coward, Ia our
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