American Tewish Archives - American Jewish Archives

for the Russian Jews is not because the various committees are not
acquainted with it, although partly this may be the reason. The
main reason is because it is unknown to the Russians, and many of
them have a wrong idea of this enterprise.
In Cincinnati, however, twelve to twenty Russian families have
united themselves, by their own free will and choice, all healthy
and intelligent people; some of them practical farmers, all of them
knowing something about it, to go and claim Government land under
the Homestead Law [of 18621 and settle down on it. An enthusiastic
young man, Mr. Charles Davis, of this city, did all the corre-
spondence for them which was necessary. After the proper informa-
tion had been obtained, they appointed two of their men to seek and
inspect the land they might deem best for the purpose. These men
traveled as far as southwestern Kansas, where they selected and
entered, as far as they could, a tract of land on a stream twenty-two
miles from a railroad, sufficient for the whole colony, which is
now ready to start and take possession of it at once.
This matter was presented to the Russian Emigrants' Aid Society
in Cincinnati, and the following gentlemen, Abraham Trounstine,
Isaac M. Wise, and Joseph Abraham, were appointed a committee,
with hll power to act, to raise funds, and to give the necessary
assistance to the first colony of Russian Jews to be settled on Gov-
ernment land for their own benefit and on their own responsibility
exclusively. If this colony succeeds, the gates are ajar for all Russian
Jews coming to our country, who wish to work and become both
useful citizens and independent men.
We say these men must be supported. The experiment is too
valuable for us and for them to be neglected. They must be supported
to enable them to settle down on the land and protect their families
for eight or ten months till they can help themselves. Five thousand
to six thousand dollars will suffice to give them all the help they
need; and we say this sum must be raised and expended for this sole
purpose, under the supervision of the Russian Emigrants' Aid Society
of Cincinnati, as this business can not be attended to from two or
more different points.
And now in behalf of this first colony of Russian Jews on Gov-
ernment land, and in the name of the said Aid Society and the Com-