Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1907 — WILL BUILD HEW ZION. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WILL BUILD HEW ZION.

Voliva and His Followers Ars Goin* to New Mexico. The attractive country around Las Vegaa, N. M., is to be the scene of the future operations of Wilbur Glenn Vollva and his followers. A contract has been closed for 7,000 acres and Vollva and his followers Intend to go west as quickly aS they can sell their present holdings. Within a few months a beginning will be made on the model city that Voliva hopes to start The city is to have factories, stores, a newspaper and is to be self-governing, If present plans are carried out Primarily the colony will devote Itself to agriculture, but it is the intention to build up the community sufficiently so that there will be employment of a diversified nature. The site is not far from the hot springs of New Mexico. This land grant is unique because of the fact that it Is owned by the city of

Las Vegas, which therefore becomes the wealthiest community, per capita, In the United States. This city of 10,000 Inhabitants owns 500,000 acres, worth certainly $1,300,000, and possibly as much as $3,000,000. The land is being placed on the market In tracts of 50,000 acres, and one block must be sold the next Is opened. ■ The money is To be used as a permanent school fund. The proceeds from the sale of the land will be invested and the Interest will be used for maintenance of the public schools. The schools will therefore become independent of taxes and taxing authorities. This is believed to be the only instance of the kind in this country. _ The market for all kinds of crops is large and is continually increasing. The soil is finely adapted to the culture of sugar beets to which some of the farmers intend to devote considerable acreage. A beet sugar factory is promised if the plan is carried out

WILBUB GLENN VOLIVA.