By Jessica Gorman

In September 1831, Bernhard Mueller, known as Count Maximilian de Leon and a myriad of other names, who we know as the leader of the Germantown settlers, arrived in America. His arrival generated much interest, as evidenced by the reports carried in newspapers all across the country.

Some claimed that the reason for this migration was Count Leon’s opposition to the Belgian revolution. However, it is known that his secretary, Dr. Goentgen, had been in contact with George Rapp, leader of the Harmonists at Economy, Pennsylvania, for at least 18 months prior, heralding the coming of a messiah. Their anticipation of this event, and its delay, led to increasing discord within the Harmony Society.

On 18 July 1831, Count Leon, along with the Countess and about 45 others, sailed from Bremen, Germany aboard the Isabella. They arrived in New York City in early September. Just a few days after their arrival, Count Leon wrote a letter to President Andrew Jackson to which he responded,

“On the subject of your letter I have conversed with Mr. Kahl who will be able to confirm to you the satisfaction with which I heard of your determination to take up your abode in the United States and identify with this soil and climate your resources.  Such acquisitions it is the interest and pride of the United States to cherish; and as their highest executive officer I take delight in assuring that the benign and equal spirit of their laws will not only protect your person and property but I trust will promise to you the enjoyment of as much prosperity and happiness as can be promoted by the influence of government in any country elsewhere.”

Rumors quickly began to swirl around the count. It was said that he had brought with him anywhere from five to ten million dollars. Whether or not the source of this money lay in his claims to be an alchemist is not revealed. However, the possibility of that amount of money entering the country was considered to be a major advantage.  One newspaper stated that “his arrival may be hailed as most interesting to the prosperity of our western lands.”

In fact, Count Leon’s arrival with such a large sum of money was used to support the argument in favor of a central banking system. The Second Bank of the United States was seen by many as a symbol of elite privilege. There was also a strong distrust of the paper notes issued by banks. Claims that Count Leon exchanged his money for U.S. Bank bills implied confidence in the bank. His travels were used as an example as to why the U.S. Bank was preferrable to local banks as he would find a consistent exchange rate amongst the U.S. banks but not the others.

In addition to the great wealth he was said to have brought with him, it was also rumored that Count Leon was looking to purchase 100,000 acres of land near the Harmony Society at Economy. On this 100,000 acres, it was said, he intended to settle 2,000 Belgians who would be joining the initial group. There was skepticism that he would find a satisfactory tract of land in the area.

From New York City, the group continued their journey by water, sailing up the Hudson River to Albany where they stayed for about a week. From there, they traveled the Erie Canal to Buffalo. Interestingly enough, this route took them through Schenectady, New York, the birthplace of Minden’s founder, Charles Veeder. However, Veeder was not living in Schenectady at the time, as he had moved to Indiana some time before. From Buffalo, they traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania where they stayed at the Mansion House before continuing on to Economy.

The rumors continued to grow. This time, it was claimed that Count Leon had purchased Economy from the Harmonists. Debate ensued about whether such a purchase would be beneficial or not with one newspaper acknowledging that “the Economy Society has not the least intention of selling and the Count has never even proposed to purchase.” The truth is, despite claims of his great wealth, evidence suggests that Count Leon never had the means to consider such a purchase or the purchase of the 100,000 acres.

Finally, on October 18th, Count Leon and his entourage arrived at Economy to much excitement. That excitement, however, was to be short-lived.

(Jessica Gorman is Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish historian, and an avid genealogist.)