The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-07-15
The Ancient Town OF salem. n. G.
OUR NORTH CAROLINA CORRESPONDENCE.
SALEN n c. July I ISRd

STYLE OF THE TOWN.
Salem is one Of the oldest towns In Western North
Carolina and was previous TO the late war; IN -four
ishing condition. containing about two thousand inhab
itants Since the close Of the IL has remained in
statu quo and although business has partially revived
still the great incubus Of stagnation rests with sombre
pail the former enterprise exhibited by its citizens
One who never visited this ''city upon him., will
find much to amuse and instruct him, and he will at
glance this brief article that people exhibited
an unusual degree Of mechanical skill
The most noticeable feature and which strikes the
traveller is tho uniformity Of the buildings which pre-.
sent the same invarabe style throughout, and gives
the town a thorough German appearance All the peo-
pie seem to be in comfortable circumstances and you
cannot find any of those dapdated novels which mar
the appearance of other towns where elegant
sion has most painful set of In adjacent cabin
where poverty regns supreme
There is apparent thrift yet exhibitions of wealth.
except in few instances The majority live in plain
and transformations Neatness comfort and care
for the health Of the community prevail. The streets
clean, but rather narrow, with good paved sidewalks
and in the muddest weather you walk from end
of the town to the other without soing your boots to
any extent The town is surrounded by dense forest
and pleasant promenade beneath eafy canopy can be
reached within five minutes walk from any point in
the town.
PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS
The principal buildings consist OF large and commo-
dious botel-which might be better kept-and female
academy building, elegant structure which would do
credit TO any locality.
The community in the town are intelligent ndustri-
Gus, and the most economical that have ever taken
notice OF.
One woollen and two cotton factories have been in sue
cessful operation for number OF The Oldest
factory has recently been closed The wooep factory
OF Mr. Fres has been and is still in successful operation
Mr. FIeis s also the sole proprietor of the as works.
which previous to the extensively patronzed
by the citizens; but the high price Of ros from which
the gas made has now placed this great convenience
beyond the reach Of many. The church and academy
are however lighted with gas and the streets at
any time be brilliantly lighted.
RELIGIOUS BELIEF THE NHABirANIs
There is but churchfn the town. the people being
principally OF the Moravian persuasion and retaining
many OF the pecuiiartes that characterized this
cient denomination of Christians in Germany They are
descendants Of emgrants from saxony and other Ger
man provinces, and have every element of success in
represented, and the workmcn generally Of the very
best The scarcity OF money is at present the only great
drawback to prosperity.
RExARkAsLE INSTITUTIONS
There are two remarkable institutions among them APP
parenily in connection with the church. viz. The Single
Sisters House and the Widows House. The former is
asylum for young ladies who homeless who de-
occupy q room in the building subject It's regu
laons The sisters are q liberty 70 come and 60 as they
elderly sister, who has the direction Of the affairs OF the
house There is nothing approaching to coister life al
ity. Many or the sisters have accumulated handsome
competency by practising economy with regular and
well directed LABOR mouse large convenient.
and in cleanliness and perfect order II cannot be
passed everything in It's place and the sisters
about with cheerful and contented countenances Most
of them mantua- makers and find steady employment
They have good circulating library chapel for prayer
meetings and sick ROOM which is always superntended
by nurse chosen from among the inmates Of the egtab
iishmenl large attic room serves as dormitory. Il
extends the whole length Of the building and lighted
with dormer windows: Each sister has plot Of ground
where she cultivate vegetables, flowers &c. All the
clubhouse Conveniencss are provided and he whole
abshmont lie az complete an Arrangement a ever had
There is apoor fund" for those sisters who cannot
The widows House is similar in its arrangements and
10 intended for homeless vdows The appointments Of
the establishment are almost the same as the sisters
House. and the neainess and industry characterize
It's inmates These two buildings are real specimens
Of the cumbrous yet convenient old German style OF
architecture.
The burial ground belonging TO the church retired
and beautiful spot considerable elevation, and COM
mands fine view Of pastoral landscape. You approach
the spot through magnificent avenue skred either
side BY ancient cedas Of half centurys growth
Over the entrance gateway inscribed In letters Of gold
"slos Cd arc the dead which die in the Lord" and in
arc laid out In squares, classified as follows:-To
the right as you enter, lie entombed the de-
left the female. These again divided into
the married brethren and sisters nrsi you enter then
gris so you can always find the different ciasses with
any trouble Everything kept In the very best Of
order, and one cannot help admrng the care that Is
bestowed upon the last resting place Of the mortal rc
mains Of the brethren There IL but little distinction
made only where a larger more tasty hcadstone
marks the resting place. There are no lots reserved
but every must take the spot which happens 70 be
In the proper square, suited 10 age and The
enclosure IL shaded altogether by noble cedars.
ANCIENT CUSTOM.
There Is q peculiar custom among these people OF
steady habits which deserves passing nsce. allude
TO the custom OF celebrating Easter morning. by march
ing procession 10 their beautiful ground whore
they pray Easter morning ltany prepared for the
SION band OF music heads the PROCESSION. and the
whole must have most solemn and Impressive effect