Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1897 — Dunkards Dissatisfied. [ARTICLE]

Dunkards Dissatisfied.

For some two or three years past a systematic effort has been made in different parts of the country, and especially in northern and central Indiana to colonize different portions of the Dakotas with members of this thrifty sect. Several from Jasper, White, Carroll and adjoining counties have gone, and efforts to induce others to go still continue. Dispite the roseate hue given the enterprise by those interested in the colonization, rumors still continue to float back that conditions are not as glowing as painted. The following from the Rochester Sentinel is a fair sample of what we have noticed in a number of our exchanges. The Sentinel says: “It is again reported that the Dunkards who went in colonies from this state to Dakota last spring will return as soon as they can. They have met with reverses and say they have been deceived? Land booming companies represented a year ago that the National Society of the Dunkard church has gone into the scheme of colonizing Dunkards from all parts of the country in the Dakotas. About 5,000 went, last year and a like number joined them this spring. The letters received state that there is general dissatisfaction and this fall will witness a general depopulation of colony towns.