Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 2/The Aurora Community
THE AURORA COMMUNITY.
This was a somewhat remarkable movement, and brought to Oregon about five hundred settlers. The founder, Doctor Keil, was an unusual man. He was a native of Prussia, and was taken up even in the old country with certain communistic or socialistic ideas, and made the United States his field of operations. In a little book published in 1871 by Carl G. Koch, an Evangelical preacher, it is stated that he was born on March 6, 1811, at Erfurt, Prussia. He was a tailor by trade, and was a very well esteemed young man, He enjoyed the companionship of the best class of society, and ever bore himself creditably. That he was possessed of unusual talents, says Mr. Koch, was shown by his later career.
He established a movement that gained considerable headway among the Pennsylvania Germans and other German speaking citizens of the United States. In 1845 he brought together a considerable portion of the members of his society to test practically the working of his social scheme, and started the colony, or community, at Bethel, Missouri. Ten years later he decided to bring this colony to Oregon, and thus our state, and especially Marion County, became the beneficiary of an extensive social propaganda.In the little book—in German—of about four hundred pages above alluded to, Doctor Keil was severely criticised by Carl Koch, who was originally a member of his society. But it would seem upon investigation that the most of the criticism was without foundation. For instance, it was stated by Mr. Koch that in about the year 1870, with a population of three hundred and twenty, the property of the Aurora Colony in Marion County was assessed at $80,000, and in Clackamas County at $40,000, and that this was considered as the private property of Doctor Keil. But that Doctor Keil considered himself simply a trustee was shown by the action of his family upon his death in 1877, when the entire property was distributed equitably among the members of the community.
Besides this book of Carl Koch, the Aurora community has been the subject of investigation by other writers, among whom was the popular author Charles Nordhoff, who composed the history of the communal associations of the United States, and visited Oregon in order to see the Aurora Colony; and also in the sociological work, "Principia," an intelligent account is given of Doctor Keil's community.
Some of the surviving members of the Aurora community have been visited, and their recollections have been secured. It is from the point of view of the settlement of our state that they have the most interest, though as sociological data, the value of the statistics is apparent.
AURORA COLONY.
Michael Rapps, a member of the Aurora Colony, who crossed the plains with Doctor Keil in 1855, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in the year 1829, crossed the water in 1839, and went thence to Saint Louis, and afterwards to Iowa. In 1844, a brother went to Shelbyville, Shelby County, Missouri, and in 1845 Michael followed. At about this time, the followers of Dr. William Keil, a native of Prussia, but who had been preaching at various places in the United States, and had adherents in several states, such as Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, were collecting to form a community at Bethel near Shelbyville, and Rapps became a member of this organization. As he remembers, there were some five hundred, all told, finally collected at Bethel. Surrounded as they were by a fine prairie country, which was ready at the touch of the plow to produce abundant crops, and all being industrious and working to a common point, the community prospered greatly.
However, a movement to the farthest west began to be thought of, and in 1853 a number as pioneers of a larger party were sent forward by Doctor Keil to investigate the Pacific Coast. They came first into Washington by way of Olympia, and made their final location at Willapa, in Pacific County on Shoalwater Bay. The names of these as given by Mr. Rapps were Michael Schaefer, Adam Schuele, John and Hans Stauffer, Christ Giesy and Joseph Knight. These were well pleased with the region and made homes at Willapa Harbor as now called, and they were able to report favorably to Doctor Keil at Bethel, so that he was encouraged to come hither himself, with a considerable part of his Bethel community.
The general movement was consummated in 1855. There were four parties. One was a small train of six wagons that made the start about the first of April; another was a train of twenty wagons of the colonists, joined by two or three others not of the colony, that started some six weeks later; and the other two were small parties that came by water via Panama. Mr. Rapps belonged to the second wagon train of twenty-two or twenty-three wagons. The start he says was made six weeks too late, and in order to get through in season hard driving became necessary, even traveling at night being required. This was exhaustive on both men and animals.
It was a year of great disturbance among the Indians, and upon arriving at Fort Laramie Doctor Keil, who was conducting the party in person, was urged by the United States Commandant to remain at that point over the season, as he feared the trip would not be completed in safety. This advice, anxiously given, was not, however, accepted by the doctor. He felt that by adopting a conciliatory policy he could easily make his way through the Indian country, and said that he would not now turn back or halt, as he had started with the purpose of going through. The event proved the correctness of the doctor's opinion. Though in constant dread, and with ceaseless vigilance being required, there was no serious trouble. On Ham's Fork of the Green River the first Indians were seen, the Platte Valley seeming to have been deserted entirely. Doctor Keil very wisely treated these first visitors courteously, and gave them a good meal of victuals. This was a part of his policy of getting through without trouble.
The next morning, however, it was reported by the guard that five of the cattle were missing. Rapps was at once detailed to institute a search, and with a small party began scouring the plains. Finally going somewhat farther than he had intended, out of a hollow seen in the clear mountain air with perfect distinctness, a band of mounted Indians were seen to emerge driving the lost animals. It was a great relief to find that these were not hostiles, but were the very ones that had been treated so well the night before, and they were bringing back the lost stock; neither did they demand any pay. So much for the success of Doctor Keil's method.
In the Snake River Valley there was encountered an immense host of the Snake Indians, who, with their ponies and parties, seemed to fill the valley and to number thousands. Indeed, they strongly reminded the immigrants of a vast herd of buffaloes that they had seen in the Platte Valley. Though, as Mr. Rapps expressed it, it made them feel "rather drowsy" to look at such a party of savages. There was -no trouble. The doctor again brought out his store of Indian goods and distributed to the chiefs small presents of tobacco, sugar or bright colored cloths, and the women of the train had small articles of dress in readiness to give to the Indian women, and the scene became at length one of friendly entertainment.
On the John Day River (1855 being the year of the Indian outbreak in Oregon) they were met by the ranchers or rangers of the upper country hastening to The Dalles, and at Fifteen-Mile Creek they thought it necessary to keep watch all night, fearing that the Yakima Indians, who had been defeating Haller, would cross the Columbia and attack The Dalles; but this alarm proved unfounded, and Portland and Willapa were reached at last without any realization of the threatened and justly feared dangers. The train of six wagons led by Peter Klein had also reached the same place without accident or loss, and the various families composing it were finding homes.
An incident related by Dr. Giesy as to the trial of Dr. Keil for inciting the Indians to disturbance—which was in fact farcical—was not witnessed by Mr. Rapps, as he was occupied otherwise at the time.
As to the number of men in this train he thinks that there were less than fifty in all, although probably somewhere near that number.
Willapa, however, did not prove desirable as a permanent place, and although a considerable number of the families found homes there, Dr. Keil determined to look elsewhere. It was too much isolated and communication by wagon roads with the rest of the world was impossible. After spending a part of a year at Portland, becoming acquainted with the country and the people, and in the meantime doing a good practice at his profession, in 1856 he, with about fourteen or fifteen of the young men, decided to make a beginning at some point in the Willamette Valley. A suitable place was found in the heavily wooded country east of French Prairie, and here a settlement was made. The place was given the attractive name of Aurora, in honor of the third daughter of Dr. Keil. For the sum of $1,000 a tract of two quarter sections, upon which there was already a little improvement, was contracted for and a part of the purchase price was paid down. One of the main advantages was a millsite upon which a small sawmill had already been erected and there was also a little gristmill with one set of burrs. One of the quarter sections was known as the George White place, and the other that of George Smith. On the White place there was a primitive log cabin which had been built in 1849, and here for some time the little colony lived as one family, being about twenty-five in number.
The sawmill was a small affair built upon a little creek that coursed through the place, but it was operated and lumber was manufactured. The gristmill was also run. The building is still standing and is now used as a barn; the present Hurst mill having been built across the little valley so as to adjoin the railroad track when this was laid. This mill was also built by the colony.
Besides the family of Dr. Keil, Mr. Rapps recalls the following as members of the first settlement: Henry Allen, George Rauch, David Fischer, Henry Barkholger, Henry Schneider and his son Charles, Daniel Snyder, Moses Miller, Jacob Engel, Herman Bonser, George Lingg, —— Metzger.
Life during the first period of settlement here seems to have passed pleasantly, but very industriously. The sawmill and gristmill were operated and from the avails of the business the notes given for the place were paid. Mr. Rapps recalls quaintly some of the rules of work that were enforced; one of which was that every gang of four who worked together should cut down a tree before breakfast, unless there happened to be no meat on hand, in which case they should kill a deer.
Mr. Rapps has lived in the community ever since the first settlement, and now at the age of seventy-one is a hale, hearty man, of ruddy face and abundant snow-white hair. He measures five feet eleven inches in height, and weighs two hundred and one pounds, with a chest measurement of about forty-four inches. He has a comfortable little home, where he resides with his wife, Mary Schuele, to whom he was married in 1879.
JACOB MILLER.
Jacob Miller, who was a member of Doctor Keil's colony at Bethel, Missouri, was born in Ohio in 1837. His parents were from Pennsylvania, and on his mother's side the ancestry was from Hesse Darmstadt. He joined the Bethel colony at an early age in 1845, where he remained until manhood, but in 1863, having obtained a United States permit—this being necessary, as his name was on the military enrollment—he made a trip to Oregon, driving an ox team.
Upon arriving in this state: he immediately became connected with the colony of Aurora, and remained until 1871, when he returned to Bethel, but came to Aurora again in 1882, where he has since remained. His recollections of Doctor Keil are very clear, and he holds the doctor's remembrance in the highest esteem and affection. He retains his teaching more exactly perhaps than any other member of the community.
Mr. Miller states that Doctor Keil was from Prussia and a man not highly educated, yet a good practicing physician, and of remarkable personal power, having a quality strongly bordering upon magnetism. His religion was entirely Christian, and was based upon the Bible, which he accepted in full. He also taught the relations of natural laws, and the natural results of moral action; deriving religious beliefs from life and nature, as well as from revelation, and thus led out finally to faith in God and the hope of immortality.
His preaching was delivered in German, though upon a few occasions he made speeches in English. The power and indeed the truthfulness of his preaching may be inferred, says Mr. Miller, from the fact that the most of his followers were well-to-do people when they first became interested in his doctrine, and in order to join his society were obliged to give to the community all their goods—a test of sincerity required by few modern preachers.
His social philosophy was communistic, but based, as he taught it, entirely upon the Bible and upon the practice of the disciples, of whom it is said, "They had all things common, neither were there any among them that lacked." In order to accomplish such a result, there were established by Doctor Keil in the colony at Bethel all the necessary arrangements for furnishing supplies, such as sawmill, gristmill, shoe shop, tailor shop, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, distillery, woolen mills, etc. From the general store thus produced, each one was allowed to take whatever he needed. All that was over and above this amount and was left remaining on the hands of the colony, was sold, and the cash received was placed in the common treasury and used for the purchase of any supplies that were not manufactured on the place. The communistic principle did not, however, extend to family arrangements; each family had its own home and carried on its own work. An entirely different feeling, says Mr. Miller, was fostered under such a system than that developed by the system of individual property—each having a sense that he owned all, and yet that he had no power to withhold any needed article from another. Dr. Keil's object in the communal feature, he thinks, was religious—in order that each, with all natural wants secured by the community, "might live nearer God." Doctor Keil he remembers personally as a very pointed and cogent speaker, and not fearing or hesitating to chastise, and yet he was compassionate. Mr. Miller recalls with deep feeling the doctor's admonitions to himself.
In 1863, when Mr. Miller came to Aurora, the place was still very much in the woods, though the hotel was in course of erection. There were several farms a few miles distant that were cultivated in order to produce the wheat necessary for the colony; one of these was on French Prairie, one at Barlow's, one on the Tualatin River, one on the Clackamas, and another on Pudding River. Before 1871, when Mr. Miller left, a number of houses had been built, and the old church was erected; Mr. Miller himself, who was a cabinet maker and turner by trade, turned the massive columns of the portico. Upon his return to Aurora in 1882, many new buildings had been erected, including the large flour mills, purchased later by W. L. Hurst; and the town was essentially as it stands today, being an evidence of very great industrial activity on the part of the colqny. Between three and four hundred of the colonists from Bethel had come to Aurora. However, Doctor Keil had died (1877) and the communistic principle had been given up. As Jacob Miller says, "such an enterprise can succeed in but one of two ways: Either through a natural born leader, who is deeply impressed that he is serving God, or else by a military power. Doctor Keil was the former, and the people obeyed him as if he were a father. This was due both to the originality of his ideas, and to his strongly vital temperament.' In person the doctor was very powerful, "heavy-set man," as Mr. Rapps says. He was above medium height, and weighed considerably over two hundred pounds, being in form and figure like almost all leaders of men, such as D. L. Moody and others. He had an upright bearing, a most open countenance, but with positive features, and even a bold and searching eye and direct gaze.
In all matters he was a leader. For instance, he was a republican in politics, and all the colonists voted republican. He also projected the work of the people, though leaving the details to the execution of a regular foreman. He himself preached regularly in the church, and was very much respected by the entire neighborhood, as well as revered in the colony. Indeed, Dr. Keil enjoyed a wide reputation in the state, and was a familiar acquaintance of our public men, being on good terms, among others, with the first railroad magnate of the state, Ben Holladay.
Mr. Miller recalls as an incident told of the trip across the plains that two white men were overtaken by the doctor's train somewhere out on the more rugged part of the journey, so reduced that they were obliged to move their little baggage left in a small hand cart. These were taken in and brought upon their w r ay, but upon reaching the army headquarters at The Dalles, they turned against their benefactor, making complaints that he had incited the Indians against the Americans. With characteristic boldness, the doctor, upon hearing this, demanded to meet them and have a trial. They were then unwilling to make their complaints, but he insisted, which not only illustrates Dr. Keil's character, but throws light also upon the way in which Indian troubles might be fomented. A trial was held before the military authority in which it was shown that their story was altogether a fabrication, with a hope, probably of a reward from the government, or else for services as scouts in the Indian country
Upon the death of Dr. Keil, in 1877. no one in the colony was willing to take his place, and the property was divided. Although the doctor's heirs might legally have laid claim to it all, no such claim was preferred and the estate was divided to all of the community. At Bethel, Missouri, the same course had been followed, but the division there was made on the plan of allowing to each member a payment for special services or gifts to the colony, and the remainder was apportioned according to the number of years' residence with it.
Mr. Miller is apparently still in his full strength at the age of sixty-three. He is about six feet and one inch in height and finely proportioned, weighing about one hundred and ninety pounds. His face indicates much thoughtfulness and spirituality, though his life has been spent in manual labor. He has a home which is almost a model of convenience and neatness, where he resides with a sister. JACOB GIESY.
Jacob Giesy, now living at Aurora, and keeping the old hotel, is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born at Pittsburg in 1827. In 1845, with his father's people, who had been persuaded by Doctor Keil's people, he went to the colony at Bethel, Missouri, and in 1855 came with the party by water by way of the Isthmus to Oregon, and joined the settlement on the Willapa. Among the members of this portion of the colony that came by the Panama route, he remembers Henry Finck, Jacob Findlay, Adolph Pflug and Peter Quintel.
Mr. Giesy thinks that about half the Bethel colony came first or last to the Pacific Coast, making about three hundred or four hundred that came, and about the same that remained. As to Doctor Keil's character Mr. Giesy says, "There were very few like him. He was straightforward and honest and did not seek. riches or benefits for himself, but was always looking out for the people of the community to see that they had all they needed.' As to the communal feature at Bethel or Aurora, Mr. Giesy says that the wants of the people were all easily and abundantly supplied, and he recalls with special approbation the fact that there were never lawsuits between the neighbors.
Mr. Giesy is still in good health, although somewhat bent with age, but his face indicates his still strong vitality and his sagacity. He is of medium height and rather slender build. He was married in 1852 to Caroline Fere, and they have one child, a daughter, Sarah, who was married in 1879 to Emmanuel Keil, a son of Doctor Keil. DR. MARTIN GIESY.
Martin Giesy was a member of the Aurora Colony and was with the wagon train that crossed the plains in 1855, under the supervision of Doctor Keil. He was born at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in 1835. In 1845 he removed with his father's family to Bethel, Missouri, and ten years later, as he entered his majority, came to Oregon.
The account given in the foregoing by Michael Rapps, as to the journey, he considers remarkably correct. He recalls the dangers threatened by the Indians, and Doctor Kiel's diplomatic management. As to the incident mentioned by Mr. Miller, of the men picked up on the way, he states that he recalls it perfectly, and was himself at the trial of Doctor Keil at The Dalles, being summoned as a witness. There were three men concerned, one of whom was an educated druggist. Only two, however, made the charges against the doctor, and the other very materially assisted by giving evidence in his favor. The only basis for the charge was proved to be trivial. On the road the Indians that visited the train westward of the Rocky Mountains were continually making the remark, "King George men good; Boston men no good.' The young men about, the train soon took up the phrase "King George tillicums close; Boston tillicums cultus,' using it as a mere jest. It was easily shown that Doctor Keil did not teach this phrase to the Indians or endorse the sentiment, and after the trial—which was a genuine affair—the sympathy of the people of The Dalles was so much excited that it was with difficulty that the two men that were befriended on the road were allowed to remain in town. As to Doctor Keil's reasons for removing to the Pacific Coast, Doctor Giesy thinks it was entirely to find a somewhat less extreme climate, and ague also was very prevalent at Bethel, as the prairies were first broken up; although when the removal was made this disease had largely disappeared. There were nearly a thousand colonists at Bethel at the time of the removal, about half of whom at length found their way to Oregon.
The following, in addition to the ones named above, were members of the community that became settlers of Oregon:
Jacob Schwader, single; John Schwader, single; Gottleib Schwader, single; —— Berringer, married, wife and one child; August Keil, married, wife; Charles Keil, Jr., married, wife and two children; Charles Keil, Sr., single; Charles Beckee, Jr., wife and four children; Charles Beckee, Sr., wife and five children; Henry Beckee, wife and two children; Fred Keil, wife and six children; Henry Snyder, wife and four sons; Charles Snyder, wife and two daughters, four sons; Michael Rapps, wife; Israel Snyder, single; Joseph Miller, wife and five daughters, one son; J. W. Ehlan, wife and five children; Adam Schuele, from Bethel Missouri, arrived in September, 1856, coming via Panama. He also had two brothers, David and George; David having a family of three children; Adam had three daughters; Theresa (Sohms), five children; Catherine (Eberhard), six children; Louisa (Miller), four children; Joseph Knight arrived in '52; settled afterwards at Canby.
Christoff Wolff was a teacher of "Old World" training and ability in music and languages. Under his instructions the Aurora band attained great skill and wide reputation; being frequently invited to attend at public gatherings, or accompany excursions, Ben. Holladay often being their patron. Indeed music was highly cultivated at Aurora. Henry Snyder, Jr., six children.
As to Doctor Keil's abilities as a physician, Doctor Giesy says that, although self-educated, he was a successful practitioner, and outside of the colony, as well as within, he had a considerable practice, and also at Portland, where he remained about a year after coming to Oregon .
As to the permanency of a community such as Doctor Keil established, Doctor Giesy expresses a negative opinion: "It will last about one generation if the leader is a capable man Doctor Keil's movement began in 1842, and lasted until about 1877. The men composing it were honest, whole-souled people; but with the next generation questions arise that the first cannot settle.' Doctor Giesy, is a practicing physician at Aurora, and owns a drugstore and building which was put up in 1869 by the colony. He paid for this, not taking any share of the colony's goods.
As to his own course of life, Doctor Giesy first took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres under the donation act then in force, at Willapa, but soon went to Portland and Aurora. In completing his settlement he was again at Willapa, and desiring to follow a professional life, procured medical books and studied alone, practicing in the meantime in a neighborly fashion for some of the people of the place., In 1868 he attended medical lectures at Salem under Doctor Wythe, since very famous as a microscopist and bacteriologist. After receiving his diploma, began practicing at Aurora, independently of the community, so far as professional services were concerned. He has remained here since in active employment with a drugstore as an auxiliary.
Doctor Giesy is a man of medium size, rather slender build, dark complexion and eyes, and beard and hair, now somewhat touched with gray. He has suffered somewhat in health from the rigors of a country practice and exposure day and night to the rainy weather— though still in full vigor. He was married in 1870 to Miss Martha, a sister of Jacob Miller, and has three boys and one girl.
CHRISTIAN GIESY.
A brother of Jacob and Martin Giesy was Christian Giesy, who was in the first party that crossed the plains in 1853, and occupied a claim on Willapa Harbor, taking, with his wife, a half section of land. He met a premature death in 1857, being drowned in Shoalwater Bay. He had a family of wife and three children, of whom Dr. A. J. Giesy was one. Doctor Giesy was educated with Dr. Martin Giesy, studying in his office and drugstore for eleven years, after which he attended the Salem University, and practiced at Aurora, but perfected his education at Jefferson College, Philadelphia. Returning to Oregon, he was employed for some time in the Insane Asylum at Salem, but has finally made Portland his field, where he has attained a great reputation as one of the leading practitioners of the Pacific Coast. He is married and has one child.
Doctor Keil had a family of five sons and four daughters, as follows:
William, August, Elias, Fred, Emanuel; and Glorianda, Aurora, Louisa, and Emily. Of these but two are living, August, who is at Bethel, in Missouri, and Emanuel, at Aurora. Emanuel was married in 1879 to the daughter of Jacob Giesy. The wife of Doctor Keil was Louisa Rieter, and they were married in Prussia.
March 16, 1901.
To Prof. F. G. Young, University of Oreqon:
Having examined the manuscript prepared by Mr. H. S. Lyman, in regard to the Aurora Colony, founded by my father, Dr. William Keil, I find it correct, so far as my information extends.