A SOCIALISTIC EXPERIMENT

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8168, 24 April 1895, Page 4

A SOCIALISTIC EXPERIMENT

0 The old SociftUsbc Icarian community three milpafrom Combing, lowa mutually agreed on Fobiuary 22nd that a division of their properly and a dissolution of thoir socirty u to the best interest of all concerned, and steps are now being taken to this end. Tho founder of the Icarian community in the United Stntos was E. Cabeb, and its inception dates back to nboub 184S, whou some 09 Socialists embarked from Havre, France, for Toxsih, and located near tho lied river, Pan country. Internal dissensions aud privatious discouraged tho band, Cabet, who was still in France, learned this, sailed for New Orleans, and immediately assumed personal super vision of the colony. Under his leadership they migrated to Nauvoo, 111 , whioh placn had just been deserted by the Mormons after the killing of Joseph Smith. Hero the Icanans engaged in various pursuits, and were successful in their enterprise for a time. Additions to tbo society made the total membership about 1380 persons. However, intrnal dissensions created divisions, and in 1858 CabeS aod aboub 170 of his adheranbs left the remainder and woub to St. Louis, Mo., where the founder of Jcaria died of apoplexy in the sune you. In bhe moantimo another faction had sebtled in Adams country, lowa, and wore incorporated under tho laws of the Stito of ' Icaria." Jhey have resided there ever since. A common fund supplied tho wants of all, and a com* mon treasury received the swings and earnings of all. A general assembly ot all Icariana over 21 yecva of age, irrespective of sex, constituted tbo Legislative authority while the executive power was vested in thiee ttustees. After nearly half a century's existence tbiß socialistic experiment is ended About 1000 dollars and 1000 acres of land will be divided among the present memberF.