The society, from its organization as a commune, steadily prospered, and in time built up a large number of enterprising and success ful industries, having in the period of its height two large flour mills, saw mill, planing mill, machine shop, tannery, dyehouse, stove foun dry, cooper shop, woolen mill, brewery, slaugh ter-house, blacksmith shop, tile works, pottery, etc. In all these concerns a high grade of goods was produced which found a ready mar ket with foreign customers. The value of the Zoar property increased until about 1875, when their land, industrial plants and money ac cumulation were estimated at $1,500,000. From that time the enterprise began to decline. Bimeler died in 1853, and there was no leader or director his equal in sagacity or personality. The environment of the 'society slowly changed from that of a western pioneer frontier to a prosperous, cultivated section of country, and rival neighboring industries made inroads into the export business of Zoar; the Zoarites were rot progressive and did not keep pace in their manufactures with modern methods and im pro> ernents, and in time found that they could purchase products for use and wear cheaper than they could make them; there were few accessions to the society; the original mem bers became too old and feeble to conduct its affairs; outside laborers had to be employed; the younger members were inclined to leave and seek their fortunes where they could ac quire independent property and freedom of ac tion. This decline continued until in 1897,
when, by a common consent, the organization decided to disband and place the property in the hands of a commission for equal division. The appraisement and distribution was com pleted in the fall of 1898. There were at this time 222 people, adults and children. in the society, of whom 136 were entitled to one equal 'hare. They each received a few hundred dol lars in cash and a portion of the farm land or village property.
The religious tenets of the Zoarites were few and simple They confessed the doctrine of the Trinity; the fall of man, the return through Christ, the Holy Scriptures as the guide of their lives, all ceremonies were de .
clared useless and injurious, marriages were contracted by mutual consent and before wit nesses, they recognized no ordained minister. and engaged in no public prayer. Bimeler was their only preacher and teacher. he spoke each Sunday to the society, and after his death his published discourses were read in the pub lic meetings by various members. The society did not seek additions and made no attempt to propagate its principles, either economic or religious. The life of the Zoarites was one of utmost simplicity, serenity and morality. There never was a divorce in the community and no member was ever charged with a crime or felony. Consult Nordhoff 'Communistic So cieties in United States' (1875); and Randall, 'History Zoar Society' (1904).