History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 122

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198

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Queen Catherin II gave a warm and sincere welcome to the sturdy Christian people, partly because of her antipathy to the Prussian king; but more to secure the great benefit to be derived from their industry in farming in the unsettled regions of her kingdom ; also to gain the moral effect and influence of their orderly lives upon her own native sub- jeets. A good character of lands were set apart for these settlers, and they were not taxed for ten years; they were also given the fullest religious liberty, and were declared immune from military service. Upon such inviting terms a large number followed their example. The Mennonites, who numbered many thousands in Prussia, emigrated, as also did other religious denominations, including many Saxon Lutherans. From 1803 to 1807 the colonies received important accessions, and a great portion of these later removals settled on the cast bank of the River Moloscha, north of the Black Sea. The Russian government kept all their agreements, and the Germans, because of their own diligence, temperance and intelli- gence, were rewarded with substantial prosperity.

We see, therefore, that the situation among the Germans, with reference to their own government, was one brought about by a century or more of intolerance in which religion was the principal disturber, therefore the claim that the Ger- man-Russian emigrants to America, over a century later than the emigration from Germany and other German provinces to Russia, was easily presumed to be a Mennonite emigration to a large extent, and had it occurred a century carlier it might have been proportionately much greater of that element. But three gen- erations had passed. These had been born and reared in Russo-Germany. com- pletely removed from all religious intolerant influence, undisturbed by any gov- ernment authority to control their religious beliefs, and it was quite in accordance with world precedents the hand of tyranny having been withdrawn, these new generations should study the subject of religion with a conscience unbiased by government restraint, being a very intelligent people, found themselves more in accord with other religious denominations than those holding the atislere tenets of either Hutter or Menno Simons.

These colonies fulfilled all that was expected of them. They set the desired example, and it has been followed. Thanks to them, what up to the time of their advent was a desert now blossoms like the rose. Some of the colonies have become commercial and industrial centers. Hence the German population is no longer exclusively agricultural.

As the German and Muscovite races differ widely in characteristics and are almost uncongenial to each other, they have failed to blend. The Germans trans- ferred to Russia or bred there, are as German as if they or their progneitor- had never left Germany. Some can speak Russian, but all speak German, and consider the last named language as their vernacular tongue. Likewise in the matter of creed, the Greek Church being that of the Muscovites and very unlike theirs, they have steadfastly adhered to their distinctive tenets, through the ey

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igencies of their position, scattered as they are in various groups, has caused their church organizations to become somewhat modified by a further develop- ment of the element of ecclesiastical supervision.

About the fortieth year after these colonies had become established, a change was observed in the attitude of the Russian government. The land had by this time become occupied, and the native Russians in the vicinity of the German settlements endeavored to introduce Russian customs among the colonists. This caused uneasiness and dissatisfaction. The prosperous Germans seemed to be "a thorn in the flesh" of the native Russians. The government quietly aided its own subjects in their work of interference, and endeavored to impose restric- tions regarding their exemption from military duty, and to further abridge their freedom in matters of religion. The most obnoxious requirement came to the Mennonites, who are non-combatants, similar to the American Quakers, when an edict was proclaimed making the German-Russians, in common with the native inhabitants, subject to military draft. In thus abrogating the original compact under which the Germans had settled in Russia, the Czar graciously stipulated that the new edict would not be immediately enforced; that the Ger- mans would be given ample time to decide whether to accept the new order of things, and become citizens of Russia in fact, or remove from the country. The religious element among the Germans, as well as many who did not act solely from that motive, took early advantage of the privilege, and resolved to sell their farms, live stock, etc., and emigrate.

The German-Russian population at that time, 1871, was estimated to number two hundred thousand.

So soon as the question of emigration presented itself to the Russo-Germans, a farther question naturally arose, which was, whither to go? Whosoever through- outt almost the civilized world thinks of emigration, also thinks of our United States; and thither the thoughts of the Russo-German turned themselves. Thither, since over half a century, co-religionists of theirs from the Netherlands, Germany, and other countries had gone, as well as other people. There other German-Russians, including Mennonites had either scattered themselves or ag- gregated in particular localities, for example at Lancaster, Pennsylvania ; Elk- hart, Indiana : Decatur, Illinois ; and Lima, Ohio.

Organizations were perfected among them for the purpose of obtaining re- liable information concerning the United States, and the sections presenting the most substantial inducements to large colonies of an agricultural people. The information they obtained was of a satisfactory character, though no pledge could be given to exempt them from military duty, but it was represented to them that in case the United States should be engaged in war, which was extremely unlikely, they would be permitted to employ substitutes in case they should be drafted. The next practical step taken was the raising of a fund of $20,000 which was appropriated to defray the expenses of a committee of twelve which was sent to America to look the field over and recommend the most eligible regions for settlements. This committee reached this country early in the summer of 1871. There was a Mennonite organization on a small scale then in Pennsylvania to which the committee was accredited, and through this organization and the advice of other friends the committee made a journey through Minnesota, Michi- gan, Dakota. Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Texas, and returned after three months absence to Russia, where they reported the results of their journey of investiga- tion. which being highly favorable, stimulated the desire to emigrate, but the Russian government though apparently desirous of permitting their departure, at the same time imposed conditions upon the sale of their land that were diffi- cult to satisfy. For instance, a large number had received their landed estates from their parents who had been granted it from the throne and who were not allowed to sell or exchange it except to members of their own sect. There were also many discouragements placed in the way of those desiring to emigrate by the petty officers of the government and passports or permits to emigrate were

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so difficult to procure that many were dissuaded from leaving by these obstacles alone. During all this time while preparations were making for a movement on a large scale, small parties of these people who could do so without much sacrifice were leaving for the United States.

In 1871 several colonies without concert of action between them, sent deputa- tions. These deputations chanced to meet each other in New York. They were combined under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Sudermann, of Berdjanske, the head of one of the deputations. Together they visited various portions of the West : and some of the party also went to Manitoba. After a tour of inspection, which lasted all summer and part of the fall, they returned to Russia, in order to report to their constituents.

There was a good deal of wealth among the German-Russians in general. They are, as a rule, people of deep religious feeling, strict morals, and very frugal and industrious. Thus they cannot well fail to acquire material pros- perity. As a religious motive, in addition to the usual considerations partly impelled those who contemplated leaving Russia, or did impel those who had already left, persons of means were more numerous among them than is cus- tomary among emigrants. It would, however, be absurd to suppose that every Russo-German who landed on our shores was well off.

Two facts have to be borne in mind. First-excellent people as they gen- erally are, they are human, and human nature varies but little with time and space, race and creed. Power is everywhere liable to be abused; and even in those German-Russian colonies in Russia, there is such a thing as oppression of the poor by the rich, though it is not general. Several of the poorer class emi- grated in order to get out from between the upper and the nether grindstone. Sometimes the wealthier ones paid the passage of the poorer. Mostly, this was done from benevolent motives, but occasionally also in order to get hold of their share in the common land. Second-in Russia like elsewhere, it took time to dispose of one's property ; and, when it was known of someone that he wanted to leave, a ring was liable to be formed for buying his property at a discount. Hence it takes the wealthy longer than poor ones to get ready.

There was a period in the growth of Dakota in early days when difficulty was found in inducing newcomers into the James River Valley on the west side and it required more than ordinary efforts to secure rural settlers for that region during the first ten years of Dakota's settlement. In the early 'cos emigrants journeying through Iowa were informed that the country west of the James River was unfit for farming operations; and the anxiety of the lowans at that time to secure settlers for the vacant domain in that state will explain the source and the reason of these statements. The misrepresentations then made in behalf of the wide uninhabitable plains of the Hawkeyes were later repeated by those who sought to profit by halting the immigrant in their own community, and it finally became necessary for those interested in the development of the country west of the James River to put forth extra efforts in order to people the fertile acres of that valley, or rather to secure the beginning of settlement along the valley of that famous stream.

Every section of the West from Texas to Manitoba was making efforts to secure settlers in 1872-73-74 and for that matter were "in the market" for immi- grants many years before that time, and are yet laboring to people their vacant places : so that Dakota Territory was obliged to meet competition of a strenuous sort in its efforts to people its plains. Finally the enterprising old settlers west of the James found a valuable friend and coadjutor in the Czar of all the Russias who had practically driven from his shores a hundred or two thousand German-Russian farmers, and the advance agents of these people were at the time of which we write ( 1873), journeying through the western part of the United States looking for the most advantageous localities for planting colonies of their people who were coming away from the Czar's domains in shipled to find homes in America.

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These people had from the peculiar position they held come to be known as German-Russians; but they had rigidly retained their German language, and as a rule had abstained from marriage with the native inhabitants. It was largely chute to this social and educational isolation from their Russian neighbors and Russian association, and the disaffection this created among the native subjects, that induced the Czar to abrogate the original agreement under which their fore- fathers accepted an asylum on Russian soil. None wished to return to Ger- many, but many thousand accepted the situation and declared allegiance to the Czar.

As a rule these German farmers were an exceptionally intelligent class of people, and conducted their farming operations under better methods than the average agriculturists of America. The reason for this is found in their life- long training to the cultivation of the ground, having been taught by their prede- cessors, and by their own careful experience, to know a fruitful soil, and a good land, and a salubrious climate.

These people had all been made acquainted with the fact that they were over- whelmingly welcome to the shores of America on their way from the seaboard to their prairie homes ; and in fact they had some difficulty in making their way through the United States because of the rivalry then existing between various sections of the West (all sparsely settled at that time), to secure settlers for their vacant lands. At Chicago this rivalry exhibited itself more intensely than at any other intermediate point, and sometimes led to personal encounters, owing to the large number of emigrants who passed through that city. Immigration agents from several western states were stationed to turn the immigrant toward the section they represented; and in the instance of these German-Russian colonies, composed as they were of a large number of people of the most desirable char- acter, this rivalry would manifest itself in efforts to break the colony into small parties, even before the strangers had an opportunity to secure a stopping place during their brief sojourn in the city, which usually lasted for a couple of days. An instance is recorded of the experience of Dakota's representative, Hon. Jacob Brauch, who was conveying a party of German-Russians from New York to Dakota. Mr. Brauch was a most genial gentleman, good natured, and all that, but naturally combative if unreasonably provoked; and it was believed among his intimate friends that he enjoyed knocking a troublesome individual down to any other form of exercise. In Chicago he was assailed on every side by immigration agents from our neighboring states and territories, and he had a most strenuous time in keeping his large party together, beset as they were by the immigration agents of other sections and the hotel men who were also sub- agents. On one occasion Brauch and one of his German-Russian aids were finally arrested for acting as immigration agents in Chicago without a license, a charge that was unfounded as the colony were ticketed through to Dakota from New York. But Dakota's representatives were haled before a judge, required to furnish bail for their appearance the following day, when their case was heard and Mr. Brauch's assistant was fined $3 for "acting as immigrant runner without a license." The judge evidently believed that he must make an example, to show that the court had the interests of Chicago at heart ; though had the case been carried further it must have resulted in an acquittal, for neither Mr. Brauch or his assistants had done more than to protect the members of the colony from the determined horde that swarmed around them as they left the cars for their temporary stopping place. The colony reached Dakota with their numbers intact, satisfied that the people among whom their future homes would be made were as pleased with their coming as they could have been had they been to the manor born.

The public press learned of the movement and its magnitude, and the result was a strong immigrant organization in all of the great public land states and territories of the United States for the purpose of securing these people. Dur- ing the following three years it is estimated that over one hundred thousand

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arrived in New York, and finally settled in the different western sections where they found the most desirable locations. The Union Pacific Railroad Company secured some large colonies for its lands in Nebraska. Dakota received in the neighborhood of a thousand families during the ensuing four or five years, and in small parties they continued to come in for several years, the latest arrivals going into the northern part of the territory, and some large settlements exist west of the Missouri in the rich coal regions.

While detracting nothing from the debt due to the earliest pioneers of Dakota for their efforts in demonstrating the fruitfulness of the soil, it is but fair to assign to the German-Russians a large portion of the credit for bringing Dakota as an agricultural region of exceptional value into a favorable position before the world. It may be stated that these earliest American pioneers, while convinced that the lands bordering the Missouri were fertile and productive. they did not hesitate to question the like quality in the lands in the interior, and many of the early land surveyors shared this opinion. The German-Russians plunged right into this unfavored and questioned region, built their sod shanties, broke up the sod, and in two and three years were raising wheat and oats and even corn and vegetables that fully equalled in quality and quantity per acre the average of the well-tested Missouri bottom lands.

The fact that so many of these people, already among the best farmers in the world, and always on the alert to improve even upon their own methods, and having no ambition to seek another industry for the employment of their time and talent, selected, after thorough investigation, for their permanent homes and for their farming operations the domain of Dakota, was one of the best evidences of the excellence of this country as a general agricultural region- a fact that was not readily accepted by the American people in the older states, whose hesitaney in taking up these Dakota lands brought about the efforts on the part of the Dakota pioneers to secure a people from the old world who were to prove by the best evidence, the priceless value of Dakota as a food-producing region. That has been so well accomplished that at the close of the terrtiorial era, the territory had reached a place near the head of the list of agricultural states in the per capita of agricultural wealth produced. And it should not be overlooked as a significant fact that the choice of Dakota was made by these people at a time when they were strongly beset by the opportunities afforded by the public land states of Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas, all somewhat celebrated as promis- ing fields for the agriculturist.

An interesting incident in connection with the German-Russian immigration was the effort made by a deputation made up of representative men to obtain a concession in their favor by which large tracts of the public lands in the northern part of Dakota could be withdrawn from market for a stipulated period and hell for the occupation of colonies made up of their immigrants. Their memorial to Congress is here given ; and the action of that body, particularly the Senate, is proof of the high favor in which the German-Russians were held by that branch of the United States Government :

MENNONITE MEMORIAL.

Memorial sent to Congress by a committee of Mennonites at the pending of that body in December, 1873:

To the Honorable the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled :

We, the undersigned, belonging to the Christian denomination styled the Mennonite. of South Russia and Prussia, in our own behalf, and that of our brethren, respectfully address the following to you :

For three generations our denomination has lived in South Russia under their own control, free to enjoy, as a separate colony, our own religion, linguage, fands and custoris. the Russian government only interfering to punish crimes and collect its revenues Now. by a recent edict of the Russian government, passed the 4th of June, 1871. we are koprivel of all those rights, liberties and privileges, which had been granted to us forever, and the

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choice is presented to us of leaving Russia within ten years from the above mentioned date, or after that become Russianized in language and religion. In Prussia, where we lived for more than two hundred years in the liberty of conscience, the government acted the same. We have therefore determined to emigrate to some country where we can enjoy civil, social and religious liberty. By examining your constitution and country, we find the full assur- ance that, under your constitution and laws, we shall find the liberty we so earnestly desire, and the sentiments expressed by President Grant, in his message of March 3, 1873, give tis great encouragement.

Desirous of settling in your country as colonists, there is, however, one obstacle in the way. The unimproved lands, which we would be likely to select for our future homes, being owned, in alternate sections, by railroads and the Government; if we should purchase from the railroad companies some of the sections belonging to the Government would be taken up by persons who do not belong to our colonies, and who are not in sympathy with us. Besides this, our mode of farming is for fifteen or twenty families to join together on a large tract of land, and to have portions of it set aside for common pasture, where all the horses and cattle may graze together, kept by one herder. This saves much expense in fencing.

It will require time, no doubt the eight years yet open for emigration, before all prop- erty in Russia can be disposed of, business finally settled, and the last of our brethren brought to their new home. In behalf, therefore, of our brethren, numbering between forty and fifty thousand, we would respectfully ask :

I. That if we select portions of railroad lands in different places, suitable to our different wants as cattle raisers, agriculturists, etc., that we be allowed to take up and secure the sections of lands, Government lands lying adjacent thereto, either by purchase or under the homestead laws, and to reserve the same until the year 1881.

2. If we find unoccupied bodies of land belonging to the Government suited to our pur- posc, that we be allowed the same privilege of taking up and securing a sufficient quantity of land protected from the interference of outside parties.

The Canadian government has offered to present us as much land as we would occupy, within the before mentioned time, but a part of us would prefer to settle in the United States if the opportunity is given us to locate in colonies. Our only object being to care for those in distress, should there be anything in our petition looking like speculation, we beg you will prevent it.

"Justice exalts a nation," says the Word of God, and if you will use your great influ- ence to promote this mission, and assist the emigration of those who are persecuted for conscience sake, you will have the deepest thanks of the sorrow-stricken Mennonites of Russia and Prussia, and what is much more, the blessings of Him who says, that even a drink of cold water shall not be without its reward.

We are,

With high estimation,

Some of the Emigrants from Russia and Prussia, called Mennonites.

P. S. Our mission being transitory, if any reference should be required, we beg to address our brethren, Rev. Amos Herr, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and John M. Funk, Elk- hart, Indiana, who are in sympathy with us and conversant with our movements.

These Mennonites numbered about eighty thousand souls, said a most reliable account given out at the time, and they were represented to the United States as well as to the Canadian government, as a highly industrious, educated and prosperous people who had annually exported from Russia large quantities of wheat. Their original settlement in Russia was said to be on a treeless steppe, but their skill and industry soon transformed it into a country of fine homes, fruitful orchards, and grain fields, and herds of valuable domestic animals. At first it was probably the opinion of the leaders among them that because of their exceptional moral standing, intelligence, wealth and numbers, there would be some valuable privileges accorded them in America, either by the United States or Canada, or both, owing to the fact that in order to secure freedom for the exercise of their religious faith, they had resolved to abandon Russia, carrying with them every dollar of their property if possible. It was claimed that it was the most notable emigration of stich a multitude of people during the modern era, and it was pointed out that in the case of communities numbering so many thousands, faith and religions liberty were as potent as in the sixteenth century, when the Mayflower brought its liberty seeking people to Plymouth and planted the tree of religious liberty in the American colonies.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 122

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1198

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198