The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-09-26


Salem. N. c., Correspondence Norfolk Day Book
SALEM, FORSYTH Co., N. C.,
Sept. I'd, 1866.
DEAR DAY Book
In my letter of the 2sth OF August, l
briefly described this town as city
set upon hill !" but by no means IN
tending that description to be all l
should say of it.
Its Main street runs for one mile IN a !.
straight line, upon the top-most ridge OF
the hill. The great majority OF the
buildings are upon this street, although
there are Others, and the cross streets
contain respectable number OF dwell
ings. On the lines of other streets are
few scattering houses, which, howev-
er, being out among the fields, may be
said to be in the country. The carriage
WAYS are macadamized, and the side
walks paved.
The town can boast of a very fine
public square, centrally situated and
studded with many fine shade trees
Facing this square, stand side by side,
the Moravian Church and the Female
Academy. With all these advantages,
the town presents quite a city-llke ap,
pearance, especially about the central
portions of Main street.
Yet, the houses are not closely COM
pacted together, but have spacious
garden planted with fruit trees, DC. L
find no difficulty in applying to it that
oft quoted expression, rus IN urbe. =
At the same time as the cultivated telds
on either side,c come creeping up to, and
even within the very "gates of the
city," see no improperly in reversing
the words, by saying Of Salem that 1t
is most emphatically an arbs in rene.
Like cities of larger growth, 1t can
boast of its water works and gas works /;
also of its excellent and scientific Muse
um. 1t possesses also wooden and a
cotton factory, an extensive tannery, a
pottery, a paper mill, and two large
Touring mills, and is the point of sup
ply and market for the products of a
considerable section of the adjacent
country.
The article of dried blackberries alone,
bought by the merchants here and sent
off to Northern markets, amounts an
nually to about fifty thousand dollars.
Vast quantities of dried apples and
peaches are also sent North. Had not
the late war occurred, Salem would
probably, by this time, have had arail-
road interesting the North Carolina
railroad at High Point. She has two
well drilled fire companies. The boys
have, however, very little practical use
for their machines, except to go through
the drill with them for is a fact, that
for the last fifty years, but one dwell
ing has been destroyed here by fire.
For many years, the three fire COM
missioners have made it their business
to enter periodically every household
er's premises, to see that the provisions
of the city ordinance are respected.
As Salem is the headquarters of the
Moravians in North Carolina, and was
originally settled altogether by men,
bers OF that sect, the larger portion of
its present population are members of
the Moravian church, or descendants of
the first settlers and adherents to their
ancient customs.
They appear to be very excellent
and courteous people. In whatever po-
sitions of the world they have settled,
they are well known for their industry,
frugality, intelligence, and sober, order.
ly habits and the qualities are char
acteristic of the inhabitants of this
place.
The annals of the early settlement OF
the people in North Carolina are full Of
interest to the lover of history. Suffice
it here to say that Count Zindendori
made a contract with Lord Granville
in 1851, for one hundred thousand acres
of his lands in North Carolina. This
tract was named by the Count Wach
ovia, and the Moravian church, both ii
its secular and religious transactions, re
cognizes and still uses this original ap
pellation.
Wachovia lies wholly within the lin
its of Forsyth county, and Salem i.
within the boundaries of this tract.
Connected with the ancient buryine
ground are several particulars which
deserve notice. You approach it through
a magnificent avenue of ancient cedars
and over the main gate, you read, il
letters of gold, Blessed are the deat
which die in the Lord.
Upon entering, you see on the re-
verse side of the arch, the legend, g"
am the resurrection and the life
The inclosure is rectangular, and di
vided by avenues into several squares
like regularly laid out city. Tn
whole is adorned with cedars along tn
borders Of the avenues.
To the right of the main central ave
nue. lie the deceased male members Q
the congregation, and to the left, the fe
males. These are again subdiyided in
to married brethren and sisters, and Their
also in separate squares, come the singl
brethren and sisters and lastly tn
little boys and girls. Thus you ca
Away find the different classes withou
trouble. Thus the remains of husban
and wife, parent and child, and brothe
and sister, are, according to our ideas
separated in their last resting places O
earth f; but they are not considered a
separated in death, because they are al
gathered together in Gods acre." an
are all regarded as brethren and sister