The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-07-11
Union Village Shakers.

The Dayton Ga-ete has very interesting ar
ticle giving the history, manners. sentiments. &C..
of the singular sect called Shakers. The follow
ing sketch of one of their fourishing settle
ments will be read with much interests
The society at Union Village, Warren county,
Ohio, is worthy of particular note. 1t IS one
of the largest Shaker Societies in tho world. 1t
was founded in the year 1905. 1t now numbers
near 600 persons, and OWNS upwards OF tour
thousand acres of land in one body. The soil
is remarkably fertile, and the surface and seen
ery beautifully diversified, and the locality re-
markably healthy. The Society here is divided
into four different 'sfamies," located in differ
ent parts of their domain The largest family
numbers near 200 persons, and is called the Cen
tire, it being the residence of their Elder and
Eldresses, and where their church is located
The dwelling" as it is called, where this fam
iy eats and sleeps, is an immense brick struc-
tire. four stories high; it fronts 80 feet, and is
1O8 feet deep; it is divided into dining, sleep
ing and kitchen rooms. In the large cellar uh
derneath is kept the milk, and the butter and
cheese apparatus. Their butter is churned ana
cheese made by horse powers their bread is al
SO kneaded in the same way. Their bread IS
certainly the best we ever tasted. In fact, the
dinner they generously prepared for our party
was one of the most palatable we ever enJoycd'
The fine fruit and other seasonable dclcacies
with which our table was loaded, were such as
princes might feed upon and be glad. They
live upon plenty of the very best of everything
that is good and healthy. They cultivate none
but the best of fruits, of which they sell large
quantities.
They have the finest stock we ever saw Their
cattle are altogether Incompatible Some OF
their cows give daily, from six to eight gallons
of the richest milk. Such cows they readily
sell at from $3.50 to 5000. Calves, from two
to four months old, they sell at from 800 to 100
They have an animal that weighs nearly 5000
pounds. They have a botanical garden of about
twelve ceres, in which they cultivate all the me-
,kcinal plants and herbs of this climate, which
they gather and remove to the chemical and
medical laboratory, where they are dried and
prepared in the form of extracts, powders, &C.,
ready for market These medicines are the best
and purest of the kind that can be had. The
celebrated "Shaker Slrsaparina" is manufactur-
cd here, and affords the principal source of their
revenue Their mechanical shops are kept in
the neatest order, and their work is done in the
most systematic style
woodward, leather, blankets, and various kinds
Of trinkets and fancy articles. We were shown
sene silk handkerchiefs which were made by
them from silk of their own production, which
were quite equal to the European silk.
Their seed-garden is also quite noteworthy.
They annually put up and sell about 400 box
es Of garden seed, each box containing 200
packages Of seeds
They have now in their domain about 5000
head Of sheep, 500 cattle, 100 horses, countless
numbers of poultry, but no hogs or dogs, the
former being to them unclean, and the latter
useless yelpers All their buildings, shops, sta
bles, &C., are built of the best materials; and
In fact, everything about them is done just as it
should be DONE A visit to their village will
repay long ride. They are exceedingly hos
pitable and affable, and those who visit them
viii never regret the time or trouble.