Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1901 — FOR A BEET COLONY. [ARTICLE]

FOR A BEET COLONY.

Salvation Army to Start n Hill lon-A am 000 Id Colorado. The Salvation Army is about to embark in a great commercial enterprise which involves the colonization of a tract of land in Colorado. Here will be started a practically new Industry in that section—the raising of sugar beets. While in a sense the scheme is commercial rather than religious, officers of the army in New York think they can do much good through the enterprise. A large corporation has bought up and procured options on over 1,000,000 acres of ground. The Salvation Army will act as the agents of this corporation in procuring and guaranteeing the integrity of the colonists. Commander Booth-Tucker, who is now in Cleveland, will return to New York soon. When he arrives the plans for starting the work will be laid before him for his approval. Directly that is obtained, offices will be opened on Fourteenth street, opposite the present headquarters of the organization. Staff Officer McPhee will be put in charge. The reason that outside offices will be established is that the present charter of the army will not admit of such an enterprise being carried on at its headquarters.. The tract covers the greater part of three counties —Kiowa, Bent and Prowers. It is skirted by the Arkansas river and interested by irrigating cana’s, Which are fed from reservoirs having a capacity of 3,570,283,520 cubic feet. It is at Amity, Col., that a flourishing Salvationist colony is now established. The new colonists will not be required to raise the sugar beets unless they so elect If they do, the sugar refining company will pay them the market value. It is understood that many wealthy capitalists of Co’orado are behind the plan.—New York Mall and Express.