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

They all clapped, and some cried out
Hallelujah!
But of course said Doreas, we shall
be told it is visionary, utopian and
impracticable,
That will only show that we are
On the right road, said Jane. for the
bible assures US that "where there is
10 vision the people perish" and that
| our young men," when they are
trustful and obedient, shall see vi
lions and our old men shall dream
dreams"
And no matter, said Elijah, if we
meet mountains of opposition and diff
iculty, did not our Great Leader and
Commander say Have faith in God
and you shall say to this mountain,
Be removed, and be cast into the sea
and it shall obey you," and of course
He referred to such mountains as we
are likely to meet
Of course too, they will say, re-
marked Mother Sarah that the like
has often been tried and has always
failed
But such is not the case, said Lin
'oln, lot Of undisciplined and un-
ducated and poverty depressed peo
0le have tried something of the sort
md failed. But when have a lot of
millionaires, moved by the love of
God and men, tried to build a bit of
the kingdom of God, and to establish
in city and community the pratice
Of His Righteousness?
Handclapping and exclamations of
Joy, from the rest.
Chapter Third; How the McBrides
Made Real Their Ideal
Professor George James, having
been chosen committee to find and
secure the body of land; Lincoln Nc
Bride, committee to organize the
Municipality and get things started
on good foundations; each of them
employing plenty Of help from among
their own trained and trusted en-
ployees, after plenty Of letters and
travel and a visit to the Land Office
It Washington, and securing the
Kind offices of the Secretary of the
Interior, it was decided to buy body
Of land in California, North of Santa
Rosa and along the Pacific Coastland
S far back from the coast as might
be necessary.
The plan of proceeding was to find
he most suitable town on the coast
IS a nucleus for the Municipality, buy
nut the properties as far as possible
,rganiZe the city and appoint the
seven commissioners, then buy up all
he land around it as far as could be
lone, and keep on extending the pur-
,hases farther and farther, and with
this, the Jurisdiction of the Munici-
oality.
All this was done, and it proved
>asier than one might suppose. The
own was found. Lincoln and George
with all their aides, about two dozen
# them, came together, procured
maps, districted the place, arranged
hem selves in pairs. Each pair was
assigned to district and went forth
md bought every lot and building
hat was buyable in that district.
In this way the town was practically
ought out, before any of the citizens
new what was going on.
Many of the people were deeply in
debt, others were dissatisfied and bent
N trying another location; others
we're traders and would sell anything,
1t any time, for price that pleased
hem. All such sold at once.
A few of the successful people, who
had faith in the town, refused to sell
Except at exorbitant prices. But
7uch of these as held particularly de-
sirable property, good saw mill,
veil located store, shore line with
4 primitive dock or piers, were paid
heir own price, and were, as far as
hey would, employed to care for the
properties as they had done before,
until other arrangements should be
made
AS soon as the great majority had
been bought out, Lincoln called the
people of the town together at the
High school building and explained
to them what had been done, told them
of the hopes and plans of the Nc
Bride Company, referred them to
prominent people in New York to
whom they might write if they wish
ID confirmation of his words, and took
he people into the confidence of the
1uyers, who now owned the town.
Such was the feeling on the part of
the people that many who had re-
fused to sell, at once offered their
property and said they wished to be
ONE loyal helpers and Supporters of
he new Municipality, which was at
once organized by the election of the
roper Commissioners.
The Company having spent much