The Progressive Community of Cedar Vale

At Cedar Vale, a communistic society has been founded, which, though its small numbers might make it insignificant, is remarkable by reason of the nationality of some of its members.

It was begun three years ago, and the purpose of its projectors was "to achieve both communism and individual freedom, or to lead persons of all kinds of opinions to labor together for their common welfare. If there was to be any law, it should be only for the regulation of industry or hours of work." I quote this from the letter of a gentleman who is familiar with this society, and who has been kind enough to send me its constitution, and to give me the following particulars: "It is now three years since the founders of the society settled in this domain, coming here entirely destitute, and building first as a residence a covered burrow in a hillside. Two of them had left affluence and position in Russia, and subjected themselves to this poverty for the sake of their principles. Of course they suffered here from fever, from insufficient food, and cold, and were not able to make much improvement on the place. The practical condition now, though insignificant from the common point of view, compared with what has been, is very satisfactory. There are at least comfortable shelter and enough to eat, and this year sufficient land will be fenced and planted to leave a surplus."

"The propaganda has been made among two essentially differing classes of socialists - the Russian Materialists and the American Spiritualists. Both these classes are represented in the community, and thus far seem to live in harmony. There are here a 'hygienic doctor' and a 'reformed clergyman,' both Spiritualists, and a Russian sculptor of consider fame, a Russian astronomer, and a very pretty and devoted and wonderfully industrious Russian woman."

The printed statement made by the community I copy here, as a sufficient account of its numbers and possessions in April, 1874:

"The PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY is located near Cedar Vale, Kansas, has three hundred and twenty acres of choice prairie land, with abundance of stock, water, and with all advantages for successful farming, stock and fruit raising.

"The nearest railroad station is Independence, Kansas, fifty miles east from the place.
"The community was established in January, 1871. It is out of debt now, and has a fair prospect for success in the future.
"The business of the community consists chiefly in farming.
"Number of members: four males; three females; one child. Persons on probation: two males; one female; one child.
"Improvements: frame house; stable; forty acres under fence; four acres of orchards and vines.
"Live stock and implements: four horses; four oxen; three cows and calves.
"The co-operation of earnest communists is wanted for the better realization of a true home based on Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
"No fee is required from those who visit the community, but their work for the community is regarded as equivalent to their current expenses.
"The principles and organization of the community can be seen from the following constitution.

"PREAMBLE."
"_Whereas_, we believe that man is not only an individual having rights as such, but also owing social duties to others, and that strict justice requires us to help each other, and that our highest happiness and development can only be attained by a union and co-operation of interests and efforts; _ Therefore_, we pledge ourselves to live

"For the cause that lacks assistance,
For the wrong that needs resistance,
For the future in the distance,
And the good that we can do.'

"And we, whose names are annexed, hereby organize ourselves under the name of the PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY, and agree to devote our labor and means, to the full extent of our ability to carry out the following:

The constitution followed.

The above is an excerpt from "The Communistic Societies of the United States" by Charles Nordhoff.


"America Through Russian Eyes, 1874-1926" by Olga Peters Hasty, Susanne Fusso gives some information about the founder of the community of Cedar Vale. This book gives some rich descriptive insight on Independence, Kansas and the countryside around Cedar Vale. The following is a snippet of information to perhaps whet the appetite of a researcher.

In 1871, a young Russian (William) Frey (Vladimir Gejns) who had left Russia in 1868 settled together with his wife and his friend in southern Kansas. (His friend was an American named Briggs.)

They bought some land at $1.25 per acre from the government and it was located four miles from the already established hamlet of Cedar Vale. Briggs had a strict rule that there would be no smoking in the community.

Note:
There appears to be a great deal of information available about the commune and the subject appears ripe for exploration. It is my recollection that I have read some accounts of the early cow town days and perhaps that portion of CV history is available for said researchers. "CV Memories" could become a venue of information for future generations by merging history and memory.