Bettina, Texas facts for kids
Bettina was a community that no longer exists. It was founded in 1847 by German immigrants in Texas, near the Llano River in Llano County. The community was named after Bettina von Arnim, a German artist and social activist. Bettina was one of five settlements attempted by a group called the Darmstadt Forty. It was also known as the Darmstaedter Kolonie. This community was special because its members got along well with the local Native American tribes. However, because it didn't have clear rules or leaders, Bettina failed within a year.
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The Story of Bettina
The idea for Bettina started in 1846 in Germany. Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels gave speeches, telling university graduates that Texas was a perfect place for a new, ideal society.
The Darmstadt Forty
A group called the Darmstadt Forty was formed by Hermann Spiess, Ferdinand Ludwig Herff, and Gustav Schleicher. They were "freethinkers," meaning they believed in using reason and science, not just tradition or religion, to understand the world. Their ideas were based on the philosophies of people like Étienne Cabet and Charles Fourier, who dreamed of perfect communities.
In April 1847, the Darmstadt Forty set sail from Hamburg, Germany, on a ship called the St. Pauli. They brought their dogs, supplies, and many musical instruments. They arrived in Galveston on July 17. From there, they traveled to Indianola.
John O. Meusebach, a leader from the Adelsverein (a group helping Germans move to Texas), arranged wagons for them. The Darmstadt Forty received $10,000 in gold to help them start their new settlement. The journey to New Braunfels took four weeks. It was like a big party, with lots of singing and youthful energy.
Finding the Location
Spiess and Meusebach explored the area around the Llano River and chose the spot for Bettina. One member, Louis Reinhardt, said the Llano River was so clear and pure that they called it the "Silvery Llano." When they reached the site, the group unloaded their instruments and began to sing their favorite songs.
They built a house from adobe, which is a type of brick made from earth. The outside of the house was covered with 10,000 shingles. These shingles were carved from a single pecan tree! A weather vane, made by August Strauss, was placed on top of the house.
Friendly Neighbors
The people of Bettina had very good relationships with the local Native American tribes. This was partly thanks to the Meusebach–Comanche Treaty, which helped create peace. Louis Reinhardt listed seven tribes who visited the colony: Comanche, Lipan Apache, Waco, Delaware, Kickapoo, Choctaw, and Shawnee.
The colonists and the tribes shared food and goods. They also tried to learn each other's languages. Reinhardt even said that the Native Americans usually gave the colonists three times more than they received!
Why Bettina Failed
The community's downfall was caused by its own ideals. The settlers wanted a community without any authority figures or strict rules. This meant there was no one to make sure everyone did their fair share of work.
Conflicts started because some people felt they were doing most of the work. They only managed to grow one crop, which was 200 bushels of corn. After the Adelsverein's money ran out, the members of the group slowly left Bettina and went their separate ways.
