Veritas Harvard University Library
Page Delivery Service
Laing, Francis S. German-Russian settlements in Ellis County, Kansas. [Topeka, Kan. ? : s.n., 1910?].
Sequence 1 of 41 (Page 1)
View framed version of this document

I
L
7- /
HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY
Reprinted from Kansas Historical Collections, Vol. XI.
CHARLES ELLIOTT PERKINS
WifcWiQRiAL COLLECT ON
GERMAN-RUSSIAN SETTLEMENTS IN
ELLIS COUNTY, KANSAS.
Written by the Rev. Francis S. Laing. O. M. Cap., 1 for the Kansas State Historical Society.
/CATHARINE II of Russia is known in history as an energetic ruler, who
endeavored to improve her land and people. One means she employed
with success for this purpose was to invite colonists to Russia. A summary
invitation of this nature was issued December 4, 1762. The following year,
July 22, 176i, a more detailed statement followed. Article 6, section 1, of
Rev. ADOLPH WIBBERT,
PETER LEIKER. Munjor, Kan.
Only survivor of the explorers of 1874.
Oshkosh, Wis.
The first priest in the Colonies.
this so-called "manifest," guaranteed to all such foreigners forming colonies
in hitherto unsettled districts of Russia free exercise of religion, allowing
them to build churches and bell towers, but no monasteries, to have
priests, etc. These colonists should for thirty years be free from all taxes,
levies and land service;' 2 they were further exempted from military duty
Note 1. — Born February 6, 1880, in Cumberland, Md.; made classical studies in Herman. Pa. ;
entered the Capuchin Order July, 1897; studied philosophy and theology in Cumberland, Md.,
was ordained June, 1903; since January, 1904, has been teaching in monastery at Victoria, Kan.
Note 2. — Article 6, section 2; the manifest of Catharine II, was reprinted at Hays, Kan., in
1882, from a copy secured in Denver of an immigrant < J. Schlyer) ; from this print the details
regarding the manifest are taken. The manifest is also printed in Bauer, Geschichte der
deutschen Ansiedler an der Wolgra, pp. 10-15.
V