Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-12-12

about four hundred thousand for tht
whole
1t was natural, and under all tht
conditions inevitable, that the frs
commissioners should be chosen from
among the New Corners, as they knew
what was needed and how to ge
things going. Lincoln was chosen tt
be Land Commissioner for one yeal
and to be chairman of the Board
Jane to be Commissioner of Publ,
Services for two years, and to act as
Secretary-t treasurer; George, Commits
sioner Of Agriculture for three wears:
Samuel, of Manufactures for four
years; Doreas, of Education for five
years; William Smith one of the true
and tried clerks from New York City
Of Roads, Streets and Parks, for six
years and Thomas Hunt, Commission
er of Public Health and Safety for
seven years.
After the Commissioners were es-
tabhshed in office with full power to
appoint deputies, superintendents and
foremen, many pairs Of buyers were
sent out into the regions round and
about to buy up every buyable piece
Of land to be had
They were entirely successful, for
the same reasons that had held good
N the town. AS soon (perhaps in
about four months) as it was under
stood that twenty millions had been
paid out for land, Lincoln wrote to
Joseph, the Senior Partner as follows:
Lincoln's Letter to Joseph
Dear Father:-We have had sue
cess such as only the Good Father
could give US. We have the beginning
Of city and seaport. Plenty of
water-power in the mountains, abund-
ance of superb timber, several thou
sand square miles of farming and
garden land, fine locations for small
cities and all the conditions of growth.
We have used up the twenty mil
lions, but | am sure not one of US
would accept a hundred millions for
the opportunity and prospect we now
have.
If those Of you in New York ap-
prove, we desire out here, about five
millions more, say half a million a
month for ten months for employment
of workers in constructing certain
mills and factories and roads and tele-
phone lines. You know our great
Domain, we call Freeland, and our
Municipality is called Equality. We
are full Of work and of health and
happiness, and also Of thanksgiving
to God who has manifested His ap-
proval of our plans and efforts.
Very Loyalty and lovingly,
LINCOLN.
It soon became known far and wide
that it was more profitable to rent
land in Freeland than to own it else
where, and that work could always be
had at good wages, in the enjoyment
of the Freeland Commissioners, and
that in Equality comfortable homes
could be had for Three dollars a month
Of course people f1ocked there.
Vo,.Iy bny.-
learned that the demand for homes
was daily growing, they sent word
saying, employ as many workers as
are needed in house building and draw
on Us here. We can send a million a
month as we'll as not. Our business
grows and the income increases more
and more, and we all feel here that
God prospers US for the sake of the
people you are serving out there.
Mrs. Miles Letter
This letter found it's way into sew
era1 newspapers and became a great
advertisement.
Equality, California
Dear Brother Tom Every day since
coming here I have been ''praising the
Lord for His goodness and for His
wonderful works to the children of
men" | never had my hands so full
of work but l never felt so much like
working or SO happy in it.
The Mcbride Company are surely
some of Gods angles "sent forth to
gather out of His kingdom all things
that offend" They have given to all
the people of the Freeland their en-
tire properties, which cost them many
millions, and we are all equal owners,
and ali have an equal vote in the
election of the Commissioners, who
truly are our servants, and never put
on any airs of superiority as rulers.
There are no rich people and no poor,
not a sign of poverty anywhere. All
are workers as we'll as proprietors and
all wages Of all workers are equal.
Think of that Tom.
You ought to see jim; he was
never so cheerful and radiant before.
ne saves half his wages and yet, we
I've better than ever before, and the
children find the school and play
ground and park a real paradise.
| was saying to the next neighbor