Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-10-20
THE RAPPITEs, OR COMMUNITY OF
80 ECONOMY.

'i ECONOMY.
! ao The following, from the Tribune, is the
most recent and graphic account of the
community. There is something to learr
from the foIlies as well as the wisdom O.
these peoples and society may yet learn
from them to support their poor, and edu.
cate the destitute without degrading them
Ed stsA
have just returned from visit to Econ
omy, the famous town of celibates, founded
by Rapp. propose briefly to give an ac-
count OF what came under my notice.
Understanding that strangers, though
treated with civilty, have only an outside
view of the establishment l availed my
self of the kindness of Hon. Walter For
ward, who has long been legal adviser to
the society, and took letter of introduce
ton from him to MIR. R. l.. Baker, one OF
the Chief Men and Elders. With this fa-
vorable passport received all needful cour-
tesy and attention, and a more interior
view than visitors usually obtain. l am
moi aware that I saw or heard anything, the
publication of which would be considered
Objectionable, but shall endeavor not to
violate "the proprietes." =
You take the Beaver packet, or any of
the numerous little stern-wheel boats ply
ing almost exclusively on this end of the
Ohio a! this season, and in less than two
hours sail down the river you land at
Economy, eighteen miles below Pittsburg.
The high ranges of hills through which the
river winds, clothed with rich foliage, are
picturesque and charming but the cuti-
vation OF the bottom lands indicates, with
few exceptions, little of thrift and taste.-
AS you approach Economy however you
observe a change; the fences are suddenly
in good repair, the briars and bushes clean
ed up and the fields tairer and greener.-
Orchards come in sight. stretching UP the
hill sides that gently slope from the bot
toms, half mile or SO back from the river
But the most striking and pleasing objects
in the grounds of Economy are the native
trees thickly scattered about, left by good
taste and good sense to adorn the landscape
and give shade TO the cattle. The Western
practice of levellng every forest tree, and
presenting to the eye bare field, is abomi-
nable, and this notable exception deserves
attention as well as imitation.
The estate is tract of some 5000 acres,
a stri p from mile to mile and quarter
wide, and about five miles long lying on
the northern side of the river, mainly IN
Beaver but partly in Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania. Near the centre of the
strip remarkably high bottom or bench of
level land, comes bluff up TO the river, and
on this the town of Economy stands. 1t is
forty feet above the highest freshets; the
bank is tringed with tall trees, and glimpse
ofthe church steeple and the factory Chin
neys is obtained from the river, as you pass
in boat. The town is laid out in small
squares with wide streets, which are un-
paved, except the side walks in front of a
few houses, some brick and some frame,
the latter painted white. Equality is fun
damental principle of society, and it is
carried out in the architecture, the dwell
lings being universally built after one mo-
del, and that very plain and unpretending
one, except the old family mansion of Mr..
Rapp, which is large and has an air of re-
finement and comfort. The houses are rec
tanguar ard two stories high and are regrl-
larly disposed about the squares, the longer
sides on the streets and their entrances in
the yard. There are ample gardens be-
tween them, which are well stocked with
the finest vegetables, each family cultiva-
ting Its own they exhibit some floral taste,
the borders of the beds being brilliant, with
carnations, poppies and other howers.-
Grape vines, too, are generally traled
against the side of the houses.
The main road from Pittsburg to Ohio
runs through the town, near the centre OF
which is ECONOMY hotel, where travellers
find clean feather beads Uhey have not yet
progressed to- mattresses) and wholesome
though not exactly French fare. Near by
Is the church, large and substantial brick
building, as plain inside and out as a Qua.
ker meetingAhouse, but containing two
grand action pianos for the choir. In the
steeple is the town clock, made on the pre-.
misses. The view OF the domain, the river
and the surrounding country from balcony
above Is very extensive and beautiful
The only other public building is the mu
scum, so called, though in fact it is The
Town House, the second floor of which i
a spacious hall used for festivals and publ,
meetings. The museum itself is very re
spectacle collection of natural curiosities il
all departments, the cabinet of minerals i
excellent. ..
AT opposite corners ofthe town, next tn
river, are wooden and cotton factories, bot
pretty good sized brick buildings, thoug
not so imposing as New England cottol
miil--nether are they so oppressive, 70
, here the operatives have the fruits of thei
own toll and are not imprisoned night an
day all the year round, but alternate thei
la5ors, and in the summer season stop tn
f machinery and 60 into the fields and gar
e e dens There is no water power on the dc
d main but coal is delivered for less tina
i five cents bushel at the door, and s.ear
u answers all purposes. In connection wit
!. the cotton mill is grist mill, near it is
tannery. Here then is provision for tn
first necessaries Of life, bread and clothins
Il& r. ..l