National Republican., 1875-12-29
A pusxzR LovE.YEAsr.
sight. .. an old.rims sect.

GlkuEA - ku Ol0-Alme ooCN
Deep In the heart Of the Shenandoah N 1sntains,
west Of the valley 30 famous for its richness Of
soil. its history, its beauty OF scenery, rosy
checked girls and big corn, there are many Of
that religious denomination generally known to
the world as "Dunkers" or "Tunkers," but more
familiarly known throughout the Vlrginias as
"Soup-slingers." Their settlements are also to
be found In Pennsylvania, Maryland, and in some
parts Of Ohio, but they are probably little more
primitive in their habits Of living, and more orig
nal in their religious exercises, here In the noun
tain wilds, cut of almost entirely from contact
with the outside world, than they are in any por-
ton Of country over which they are scattered.
The Dunkers, or Tunkers, from the German
Germany, where the denomination was founded in
17os, and are Bsptists, their church government
differing from other Baptists In that every brother
e1hort. From ON Matthew, : xxiiI:s: xxi alii ; ye are are
brethren" /" they take the name of brethren them
selves: From among those who haze proven
ops, while the oldest chosen teacher fs generally
made an elder in congregation which has no
The annual meetings or love feasts of the
DuDkers in West Virginia take place during the
full Of the moon in October, and the younger por.
as general frolic, while the "sisternn are busy
for two weeks beforehand In preparing their
5s days Oecuped
by the meetings are generally considered BY the
mountaiDeers holidays, and they arrange their
In Lost River valley the meeting house of the
Dupkers is situated, within o short distance from
the river, near the head 1.-THE valley, and on the
wives and children flock down by twos, threes and
in families, and as they gather about the "meet.
esiing and iudicrous. Here q tall, ianE, raw
boned man stalks down from his mountain hut,
dressed In blue or brown homespun jeans, his
TOO small and short, with its large brass buttons,
while mis- hair and beard are long and shaggy, as
Sorse upon WHOM Is perebsd bs
wife and tho babies, the females down to the
smallest child with their heads encased In the
DunKer cap, and around their shoulders are worn
the little white or yellow shawl, crossed in front
and fastened at the sides.
Following this group comes crowd Of buxom
mountain girls accompanied by their stout,
gswky lovers, decked out in their best bib-and-
tucker, the boys with their psntsloons tucked
their ribbons or strings OF yellow and red calico,
their attire taking one back in the history OF
fashion some dozen years or more. Each family
comes supplied with an amount Of food enough TO
supply twice the number It would seem, yet be-
fore night the supply is wonderfully and fear
tains, from s.spurs" and hills, where one would
imagine there was scarcely foothold Tor man,
they gather, giving the right hand Of fellowship
noon the scene around the 'meetin, house" is
something that throws an encampment Of Pluto
indians in the shade. Through the brush and
the "hoss critters" !" their impromptu sidesaddles
giving them the appearance Of SO many dromeda-
Young mountainesrs are gathered about the en-.
terprising vender who deals out bis ware al 1--we
cent drink for lemonade, and two cent q hossior
ginger bread.
The church is a log structure, large and square,
containing two rooms, one above the other, and |
small addition used as the kitchen, the sisters |
taking their turns at cooking. The lower room
s that IN which the religious exercises are held,
while that above is the "baby.ro where the
tectiye care Of two or three Sisters detailed for
the purpose of first stufing them with pies and |
heavy cake, and afterwards counteracting the eC-
feet thereof by dosing the youngsters with catnip
After short religious services the main room is |
cleared and tables spread to celebrate the Lords
supper, and many rs can be seated at once eat
ing of the lamb SOUP then giving place to others
until all have eaten. All but the most devout /
pOIiOn tnep ,l, Leave tne room, 1ne young folks to
while the tables are cleared and services begin |
again, the attention Of the congregation being d.
the open door. The brother con-
tnues to eXhort but the cradles in the room above
continue to rock and the youngsters to test their
lungs TO the utmost, until the din reaches such |
pitch that, hoarse and exhausted, he at last sinks
into his seat, another strong. .lunged brother i'm:
n meoa,eiy , taEing ms place upon tne noor Inns
whole congregation adJourns to the river where
the sacrament Of baptism is administered by plac-
the cold water and, after prayer, sousing them
into 1t headforemost.
Preaching follows again and 1T keeps up until
night, when the feet washing takes place. the
brothers washing each others feet in turn the |
sisters performing the same ofhce towards one |
another. Those living at distance sleep in the |
church through the night, those living within
few miles Of the church returning to their cabins
hit all again appearing at the church on the fol.
lowing day.
The Dupkers as a class are ignorant, yet they
are Industrious and thrifty. They neither fight,
90 to law or take oath, and are law-abidIng,
peaceful people. N.