The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-09-20
salem, N. G., Correspondence Norfolk Day Book
SALEM, FORSYTH Co., N. c.,
Sept. I'd, 1866.

4 DEAR DAY BOOK
j In nv letter of the 2sth of August, l
briefly described this town as 6 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 carnage
ways are macadamized, and the side
walks paved.
The town can boast of 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 clty-llke APP
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 1t that
oft quoted expression, "9'ats IN atr6e. -
At the same time as the cultivated fields
on either side, come creeping up to, and
even within the very gates OF the
city," I see no improperly in reversing
the words, by saying of Salem that 1t
is most EN- phatically an urbs IN ratre.
Like cities of larger growth, 1t can
boast of it's water works and gas works
also of it's excellent and scientific Muse
UNI. 1t possesses also a wooden and
cotton factory, an extensive tannery,a
pottery, paper mill, and two large
Touring mills, and is the point OF sup
ply and market for the products OF
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 rail
road intersecting 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 Zindendorf
made 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 in
it's secular and religious transactions, re-
cognizes and still uses this original APP
pellation.
Wachovia lies wholly within the linn
it's of Forsyth county, and Salem is
within the boundaries of this tract.
Connected with the ancient burying
ground are several particulars which
deserve notice. You approach it through
a magnificent avenue of ancient cedars,
and over the main gate, you read, in
letters of gold, Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord.''.
Upon entering, you see on the re
verse side of the arch, the legend, 4
am the resurrection and the life"
The Enclosure is rectangular, and di-
vided by avenues into several squares,
like regularly laid out city. The
whole is adorned with cedars along the
borders of the avenues.
To the right of the main central ave-
nue. lie the deceased male members of
the congregation, and to the left, the fe-
males. These are again subdivided in
to married brethren and sisters, land then,
also in separate squares, come the single
brethren and sisters and lastly the
little boys and girls. Thus you can
Away find the different classes without
trouble. Thus the remains of husband
and wife, parent and child, and brother
and sister, are, according to our ideas,
separated in their last resting places on
earth but they are not considered as
separated in death, because they are all
gathered together in &C Gods acre." and
are all regarded as brethren and sisters
most beautiful sentiment.
The graves are arranged in close mil
itary order behind rank and there, in
the same unbroken order, will this mute
multitude lie through the ages to come,
until the last trump shall summon them
to the judgment.
No memorial is seen, other than
plainly hewn stone, on which are in
scribed the name. birth and death ofthe