Lebe Nicht Fûr Dich Allein, an Important Phrase in Bethel, Missouri
A communal society where labor and property were for everyone and where private earnings aren’t allowed doesn’t sound like something that could happen in Missouri. The very small town of Bethel, Missouri has a big history as it was made on these principles. It was founded in 1844 as a communal society where its residents lived for each other. Founded by a German emigrant, today Bethel has over 20 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. On one of the buildings, there’s a worn-down sign reading “Lebe Nicht Fûr Dich Allein,” which means “Do Not Live For Yourself Alone.” This sign represents the communal history of Bethel, being the most successful communal colony, and how much residents are still proud of its history.
Not living for yourself alone was the sole principle of Bethel, the communistic and agricultural community with no set religion. Bethel was founded by William Keil in 1844. Keil was born in Prussia in March of 1812, over 210 years ago. He immigrated to the United States in the 1830s and lived in Pennsylvania for a few years. He preached selflessness and love to one another. As a powerful speaker, William Keil tried to get many German followers from Ohio in Pennsylvania to come with him on a journey to Missouri, and in the fall of 1844, Keil and 500 of his German followers migrated to Missouri. They took a steamboat to Hannibal, Missouri, and then entered Shelby County around 50 miles later where they settled in Bethel, Missouri, where the “Lebe Nicht Fûr Dich Allein” sign stands today, showing how Keil undoubtedly made an impact on the community and Shelby County as a whole.
Keil saw that every man and woman had to work and that they were fairly compensated for their daily needs, as everything was shared. Everything was taken on faith. The colony seemed to be one great happy family, whose code, moral and religious, was what Keil preached. Agriculture and small manufacturing were the focus of the commune. They made clothes from sheep, shoes from cow leather, and brick buildings that came from the quarry by the river. The colony had a blacksmith, sawmill, tailor, distillery, and textile mill. The men and women who lived in Bethel didn’t have wealthy lives, but they didn’t live for themselves, as the sign suggests. Bethel Community was self-sufficient through shared property and labor. Bethel was completely self-run and self-sufficient, and it was run by Keil which is why it was one of the most successful commune colonies in the United States.
Seeing the success that Bethel brought, Keil decided to extend his colony further. Keil and a party of 34 wagons went on a 2,000-mile journey to Aurora, Oregon. Keil never returned to Bethel, however, he continued to rule through letters. Along with detailing his travels, the letters have further background information about German emigration and Christianity. Published in 2 parts, the first part ending with Keil being in the Dalles of the Columbian River and the second part starting in Wippa Valley in 1855, these letters were later translated into English and can be viewed at the Missouri State Historical Society. Even though Keil left, Bethel’s German heritage still remains, and the community still honors its roots, as shown by the sign.
As of 2020, Bethel has a mere population of 122, compared to the over 650 it had in the 1840’s. Although Bethel isn’t what it used to be, its residents are still proud of its history and what William Keil brought to Shelby county over 179 years ago. Along with many brick buildings that still stand to this day, the tradition of living for each other still continues. The sign reading “Lebe Nicht Fûr Dich Allein,” hanging on one of the brick buildings, reflects that the small population of people still living in Bethel still honor their heritage and where the town they call home came from. It is unknown when the sign was made or who made the sign, as it just hangs up on one of the brick buildings. It is very worn and weathered so it has probably been hanging up on the buildings for many years. One of the residents might’ve put the signup, as Bethel has many signs showing how the residents honor Bethel’s history. Similarly, there is a sign on the main street explaining the history of William Keil and the history of Bethel to everyone who’s on Main Street.
The sign hangs on a local building in the town of Bethel. In 1970, 26 buildings were put on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the buildings are made out of brick. Many of the buildings have been modified and other buildings are completely gone, like the colony church. The historical houses are in very good shape for being over 100 years old. The architecture shows the German heritage and is also seen in the colony that Keil made in Aurora, Oregon, however, the buildings are made of brick that was found from the quarry in Bethel and wood in the colony in Aurora.
The sign is a representation of the past for these Bethel residents. It shows the public, even though it is unknown how many people visit Bethel each year, that the residents are proud of Bethel’s origins. On-street signs, websites, and events, Bethel is often referred to as the Historical Bethel Colony by its residents. The town welcomes visitors and offers events, such as a spring market that will include artisans, antique vendors, craftsmen, flea market tables, vintage finds, and more. Profits go for ongoing maintenance of Bethel’s historic buildings. The town also offers walking tours and gives visitors an opportunity to visit Bethel when colonists lived by the golden rule. Although Bethel Historical Colony is considered a communal colony, its residents are still proud of its history and what William Keil brought to Missouri.
