The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-08-07
THE TOWN OF SALEM, N. C.

Safoiina, and was, previous to the late war, In O
nourishing condition, containing about two
thousand inhabitants. Since the close of the
war 1t has remained in statue Qno and, althoue h
business has partially revived, still the great
, incuous OF staenation rests with a sombre pail
over the former enterprise exhibited by its cit
izens.
One who never visited this "city upon a hill, "
Will nnd much to amuse and instruct him, aud
he will at glance over this brief article see
that The people exhibited an unusual degree Of
mechanical skill
The most noticeable feature, and which
strikes the traveller. is the uniformity Of the
buildings, which present the same invarable
style throughout, and gives the town thorough
German appearance. All the people seem to
be in comfortable circumstances and you can
not fnd any of those dilapidated bowels which
mar the appearance of other towns, where an
elegant mansion has most painful set off in an
adjacent cabin where poverty re igns supreme
| There Is apparent thrift, yet no exhibitions
of wealth, except 10 few instances. The ma
jnrity live in plain transformations manner
| Neatness, comfort and for the health of the
community prevail The streets are clean, but
rather narrow, with good paved sidewalks, and
IN the muddiest weather you can walk from
end of the town to the other without soiling
your boots to any extent. The town is sur
| a
enade beneath a leafy canopy be reached
within five minutes walk from any point in
| the town.
! Principal Buildings and Institutions The
principal buildings consist of a large and com
modieus hotel-which might be better kept
and female academy building an elegant struc-
ture, which would do credit to any locality.
The community in the town are Intelligent,
industrious, and the most economical that [ have
ever taken notice Of
One woollen and two cotton factories have
been In successful operation for number of
| years The oldest cotton factory has recently
| been closed. The wooden factory of Mr. Fres
has been and is still n successful operation -
| Mr. Freis is also the sole proprietor OF the "gas
works." which previous to the war were exten-
sivey patronized by the citizens but the high
price OF rosin, from which the gas is made, has
| now placed this great convenience beyond the
reach of many. The church and the academy
are, however lighted with gas, aud the streets
| can at any time be brilliantly lighted
Religious Belief Of the MhaJitants-Thcre.
| is but one church in the town, the people be-
| ing principally of the Moravian persuasion aud
| retaining many Of the pecuarities that charac-
| terized this ancient denomination Of Christians
in Germany. They descendants Of emf
|
and have every element of success in their midst,
| nearly every branch Of mechanics being repre-
sented, and the workmen generally Of the very
best. The scarcity of money is at present the
only great drawback to prosperity.
Remarkable hstitutions-There are two re-
markable institutions among them, apparently
| in connection with the church, viz The
Single Sisters House and the Widows House.
| The former is !um for young ladies who
are homeless or who desire to.occupy room in
the building subject to its regulations The
sisters are at liberty 10 come and 60 as they
please, although the establishment is presided
over by elderly sister, who has the direction
| of the affairs of the house There is nothing
approaching to cloister life, although the super
fetal observer may detect some similarity
! Macy Of the sisters have accumulated a hand
some competency by practising economy with
regular and well directed labor. The house is
large and convenient, aud in cleanliness and
| perfect order it cannot be surpassed every
thing is in its place and the sisters move about
| with cheerful and ccntented codntenances.-
Most Of them are mactua makers and find steady
! EN- ploy ment. They have. good circulating
| library, chapel for rrayermeetings ahd sick
| room, which always superinteDded by nurse
chosen from among the inmates Of the establish
nlent. A large attic room dormitory
1T extends the whole length Of the buidng'and
| is lighted with dormer windows. Each sister
has plot of ground, where she can cultivate
vegetables flowers, &c. All the outhouse con-
veniences are provided and the whole establish
pent is complete arrangement as
had the pleasure of seeing.
There is poor fund" for those sisters who
cannot support themselves.
| The Widows House is similar in its arrange
ments and is intended for homeless Widows
! The appointments Of the establishment al
most the same the Sisters House. and the
same neatness and industry characterize its in
mates. These two buildings real specimens
of the cumbrous yet convenient old German
style Of architecture.
The Burial Ground.-The burial ground
belonging to the church is retired and beauti-
full spot considerable elevation, aud com-
a'ands fine view of pastoral landscape. You
approach the spot through magnificent avenue,
skirted on either side by ancient cedars of over
half century's growth. Over the entrance
gateway is inscribed 10 etters-pf gold, blessed
the dead which die in the Lord - and in
side, Il am the resurrection and the life" The
grounds are laid out In squares, classified as
! follows TO the right, you enter, lie en-
! tombed the deceased male members OF the con-
gregaton to the left the female. These are
/ again divided into the married brethren and
sisters, first as you enter, then single brethren
ahd sisters, and lastly the little boys and girls
So you can always find the different classes with
out any trouble Everything is kept 10 the
very best of order, and one cannot help admir-
ing the care that is bestowed upon the last rest
ing place of the mortal remains Of the brethren.
! There is but ittle distinction made, only where