Faithist and Oahspe collection, 1882-1998
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0337
Scope and Content Note
The Faithist and Oahspe collection consists of mostly publications by various religious organization based on the faith established by John B. Newbrough such as the Kosmon (later known as the Kosmon Voice) and the Faithist Journal. The collection also includes letters from John B. Newbrough to some of his religious followers and some pictures. One series contains records and research from former RGHC archivist, Linda Blazer, who was a part of a local Oahspe research group with James Dennon and Dorothy Wills.
Dates
- 1882 - 1998
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the Search Room.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with copyright and other applicable statutes.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Organizational Sketch
The Faithist movement was founded by a New York dentist and doctor named , who claimed to have written a new Bible, called Oahspe, while under spirit control. Contained in this Bible was "The Book of Shalam, " which set forth a plan for gathering the outcast and orphaned children of the world and raising them, according to strict religious principles, to be the spiritual leaders of a new age.
Newbrough and some twenty Faithists, as his followers were called, decided to create such a place as described in "The Book of Shalam."
In 1884, Shalam Colony was finally established on the banks of the Rio Grande, one mile from the village of Dona Ana. Financed by a wealthy wool merchant from Boston, Andrew Howland, the colony was developed into one of the finest agricultural areas of the Southwest. Nearly a million dollars was spent to build and furnish fine buildings and maintain a herd of prize dairy cattle, build a chicken farm with heated runs, and develop a reservoir and irrigation system which was far ahead of its time.
Disaster befell the colony in 1891 when John Newbrough died of influenza. The work of the Faithists did not end when Shalam was closed in 1901. A colony was established around Denver in the early 1900s, and some people from Shalam went to California.
It was in Los Angeles that met the Faithists. He bought the plates and the copyright for Oahspe in 1933 and published Oahspe until his death in 1970. Under Wing's direction, a community was established in North Salt Lake, Utah, in the 1930s. The people called themselves the Essenes of Kosmon.
In the early 1940s, the group moved to Montrose, Colorado. That colony closed in the 1950s. Another colony effort was Otis Acres, established in Arizona in the 1950s.
There have been several publications which have provided news and support over the years. The earliest was the Kosmon Pioneer Bulletin, put out from Utah, and later Colorado. The Faithist Journal was published in Kingman, Arizona; and the Kosmon Voice, which was originally put out in Salt Lake City, but has moved to Nebraska.
Sources:
http://archives.nmsu.edu/exhibits/shalam/shalam1.html
http://archives.nmsu.edu/exhibits/shalam2/shalam5.html
Newbrough and some twenty Faithists, as his followers were called, decided to create such a place as described in "The Book of Shalam."
In 1884, Shalam Colony was finally established on the banks of the Rio Grande, one mile from the village of Dona Ana. Financed by a wealthy wool merchant from Boston, Andrew Howland, the colony was developed into one of the finest agricultural areas of the Southwest. Nearly a million dollars was spent to build and furnish fine buildings and maintain a herd of prize dairy cattle, build a chicken farm with heated runs, and develop a reservoir and irrigation system which was far ahead of its time.
Disaster befell the colony in 1891 when John Newbrough died of influenza. The work of the Faithists did not end when Shalam was closed in 1901. A colony was established around Denver in the early 1900s, and some people from Shalam went to California.
It was in Los Angeles that met the Faithists. He bought the plates and the copyright for Oahspe in 1933 and published Oahspe until his death in 1970. Under Wing's direction, a community was established in North Salt Lake, Utah, in the 1930s. The people called themselves the Essenes of Kosmon.
In the early 1940s, the group moved to Montrose, Colorado. That colony closed in the 1950s. Another colony effort was Otis Acres, established in Arizona in the 1950s.
There have been several publications which have provided news and support over the years. The earliest was the Kosmon Pioneer Bulletin, put out from Utah, and later Colorado. The Faithist Journal was published in Kingman, Arizona; and the Kosmon Voice, which was originally put out in Salt Lake City, but has moved to Nebraska.
Sources:
http://archives.nmsu.edu/exhibits/shalam/shalam1.html
http://archives.nmsu.edu/exhibits/shalam2/shalam5.html
Extent
36 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Collection of various Faithist religious publications, largely focused on the Oashpe bible and the Faithist religion.
Acquisition
- RG90-37 Gift of Dr. Robert N. Pavlosky
- RG93-15 Gift of Virginia Howard
- RG93-17 Gift of Erma Jean Lee
- RG93-71 Gift of Grace Wakeman
- RG93-78 Gift of Rick Whitaker
- RG93-79 Gift of Glenn Kendall and David Helper
General
Sources:
http://archives.nmsu.edu/exhibits/shalam/shalam1.html
http://archives.nmsu.edu/exhibits/shalam2/shalam5.html
http://archives.nmsu.edu/exhibits/shalam/shalam1.html
http://archives.nmsu.edu/exhibits/shalam2/shalam5.html
- Title
- Guide to the Faithist and Oahspe collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Linda Blazer, March 2003 Reprocessed by Cassie McClure, June/July 2005
- Date
- 2005
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository