OTHER WESTERN EXPERIMENTS.
A half dozen obscure Associations, begun or contemplated in the
Western States, will be disposed of together in this chapter; and then
all that will remain of the experiments on our list, will be the
famous trio with which we propose to conclude our history of American
Fourierism--the Wisconsin, the North American and the Brook Farm
Phalanxes.
One of the experiments mentioned by Macdonald, but about which he
gives very little information, was
THE COLUMBIAN PHALANX.
This Association turns up twice in the pages of the _Harbinger_; but
we can not ascertain when it started, how long it lasted, nor even
where it was located, except that it was in Franklin County, Ohio.
Nevertheless it crowed cheerily in its time, as the following
paragraphs testify:
[Letter to the _Harbinger_, August 15, 1845.]
"It is reported all through the country, and currently within
thirty miles of the location, that the Columbian Phalanx have
disbanded and broken up; and that those who remain are in a
constant state of discontent and bickering, owing to want of
food and comforts of life. Now, sir, having visited this spot,
and viewed for myself, I can safely say, that in no one thing is
this true. In fact only one family has left, and it is supposed
that they can't stay away; while five families are now entering
or about to enter, from Beverly, Morgan County, all of good,
substantial character. As good a state of harmony exists in the
Phalanx as could possibly be expected in so incipient a state.
On Saturday last, having the required number of families
(thirty-two), they went into an inceptive organization; and all
feel that at no time have the prospects been as fair as at this
moment. In proof of this, it need only be stated, that they are
about four thousand dollars ahead of their payments, and no
interest due till spring, with no other debts that they are not
able to meet. They have one hundred and thirty-seven acres of
wheat, and thirteen of rye, all of a most excellent quality,
decidedly the best that I have seen this year; not more than ten
or fifteen acres at all injured. On a part of it they calculate
to get twenty-five bushels to the acre. They have one hundred
and fifty acres of corn, much better than the corn generally in
Franklin County; one hundred acres of oats, all of the largest
kind; fifteen acres of potatoes, in the most flourishing
condition; four acres of beans; five acres of vines; besides
forty acres of pumpkins! (won't they have pies!) one acre of
sweet potatoes; ten thousand cabbage plants; and are preparing
ground for five acres of turnips; six acres of buckwheat; five
acres of flax, and ten acres of garden. I had the pleasure of
taking dinner with them to-day at the public table, furnished as
comfortably as we generally find. They have provisions enough
growing to supply three times their number, and they are
calculating on a large increase this season. They are fully
satisfied of the validity of their deed, which they are soon to
secure."
[A letter from a Member, in the _Harbinger_.]
"_Columbian Phalanx, October 4, 1845._
"If I have said aught in high-toned language of our future
prospects, preserve it as truth, sacred as Holy Writ. We are in
a prosperous condition. The little difficulties which beset us
for a time, arising from lack of means, and which the world
magnified into destruction and death, have been dissipated.
"Our crops of grain are the very best in the State of Ohio, a
very severe drought having prevailed in the north of the State.
We could, if we wished, sell all our corn on the ground. We have
one hundred and fifty acres, every acre of which will yield one
hundred bushels. We have cut one hundred acres of good oats.
Potatoes, pumpkins, melons, etc., are also good. We are now
getting out stuff to build a flouring-mill in Zanesville, for a
Mr. Beaumont; two small groups of seven persons each, make
twenty-five dollars per day at the job. We have the best hewed
timber that ever came to Zanesville; and it is used in all the
mills and bridges in this region. We have purchased fixtures for
a new steam saw-mill, with two saws and a circulator, and
various other small machinery, all entirely new, which we shall
get into operation soon. Plenty to eat, drink, and wear, with
three hundred dollars per week coming in, all from our own
industry, imparts to us a tone of feeling of a quite different
zest, to an abundance obtained in any other way. The world has
watched with anxious solicitude our capacity to survive alone.
Now that we have gained shore, we find extended to us the right
hand of the capitalist and the laboring man; they beg
permission to join our band.
"You are already aware, no doubt, that the Beverly Association
has joined us. The Integral having failed to obtain the location
they had selected, some of the members have united their efforts
with us. Tell Mr. W., of Alleghany, to come here; tell him for
me that all danger is out of the question. Please by all means
tell Mr. M. to come here; tell him what I have written. Tell H.,
of Beaver, to come and see us, and say to him that you have
always failed in depicting the comforts and pleasures of
Association. And in fine, say to all the Associationists in
Pittsburg, that we are doing well, even better than we ourselves
ever expected; and if they wish to know more and judge for
themselves, let them come and see us.
Yours, J.R.W."
These are all the memorials that remain of the Columbian Phalanx.
Another experiment of some note and enterprise, but with scanty
history, was
THE SPRING FARM ASSOCIATION, WISCONSIN.
"In the year 1845," says Macdonald, "there was quite an excitement in
the quiet little village of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, on the subject
of Fourier Association, stimulated by the energetic mind of Dr. P.
Cady of Ohio. Meetings were held and Socialism was discussed, until
ten families agreed to attempt an Association somewhere in the wilds
of Sheboygan County. In making a selection of a suitable place, they
divided into two parties, the one wishing to settle on the shore of
Lake Michigan, and the other about twenty miles from the lake and six
miles from any habitation. So strong were the opinions and prejudices
of each, that the tents were pitched in both places. The following
brief account relates to the one which was commenced in February,
1846, on Government land about twenty miles from the lake shore, and
was named 'Spring Farm' from the lovely springs of water which were
found there. (The other company was less successful.) The objects
proposed to be carried out by this little band, were 'Union, Equal
Rights, and Social Guaranties.'
"The pecuniary means, to begin with, amounted to only $1,000, put in
as joint stock. The members consisted of six families, including ten
children. Among them were farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters and
joiners. They were tolerably intelligent, and with religious opinions
various and free. They possessed an unfinished two-story frame
building, twenty feet by thirty. They cultivated thirty acres of the
prairie, and a small opening in the timber; but they appear to have
made very little progress; though they worked in company for three
years."
One of the members thus answered Macdonald's questions concerning the
general course and results of the experiment:
"Mr. B.C. Trowbridge was generally looked up to as leader of the
society. The land was bought of Government by individual
resident members. We had nothing to boast of in improvements;
they were only anticipated. We obtained no aid from without;
what we did not provide for ourselves, we went without. The
frost cut off our crops the second year, and left us short of
provisions. We were not troubled with dishonest management, and
generally agreed in all our affairs. We dissolved by mutual
agreement. The reasons of failure were poverty, diversity of
habits and dispositions, and disappointments through failure of
harvest. Though we failed in this attempt, yet it has left an
indelible impression on the minds of one-half the members at
least, that a harmonious Association in some form is the way,
and the only way, that the human mind can be fully and properly
developed; and the general belief is, that community of property
is the most practicable form."
THE BUREAU COUNTY PHALANX.
In the first number of the _Phalanx_, October 5, 1843, it is mentioned
that a small Association had been commenced in Bureau County,
Illinois. Macdonald repeats the mention, and adds, "No further
particulars."
THE WASHTENAW PHALANX
was projected at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a monthly paper called the
_Future_, was started in connection with it; but it appears to have
failed before it got fairly into operation; as the _Phalanx_ barely
refers to it once, and Macdonald dismisses it as a mere abortive
excitement.
GARDEN GROVE COMMUNITY, IOWA,
was projected by D. Roberts, W. Davis, and others. The plan was to
settle a colony of the "right sort" on contiguous lots, each family
with its separate farm and dwelling, but all having a common
pleasure-ground, dancing-hall, lecture-room and seminary. What came of
it is not known.
THE IOWA PIONEER PHALANX
is mentioned twice in the _Phalanx_, as a Fourierist colony about to
emigrate from Jefferson County, New York, to Iowa. It issued a paper;
but whether it ever emigrated or what became of it, does not appear.
If there were any more of these feeble experiments--as there may have
been many--they escaped the sharp eyes of Macdonald and the
_Harbinger_, and left no memorials.