The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-05-04
SALLIE AND IDA DILL.
The Tragedy Reviewed by
Shaker.

The Tragedy Reviewed by
Shaker.
Geo. B. Amery, business manager OF
the Center Family OF Whitewater Vii
Iage of Shakers, has furnished a state
ment for the city press in reference to
the cause OF the Dill tragedy, from
which we take the following extracts:
"In view of the public attention di-
rected to this people through the un-
fortunate Dill case, we have deemed 1t
a matter OF justice to this Society and
duty to the public to review the various
articles published, and to present the
candid and thoughtful with Shaker views
from Shaker standpoints.
"Many people labor under wrong I'M
pressions as to our manner OF social
| lite, and we are sorry to say that the re-
cent publications tend largely to inten-
siiy their misconceptions. Until this
life is placed before the public view, the
Society appears to great disadvantage,
for the simple reason that, by the very
organization of the institution itself,
each and every benefit which 1t Is pos
sible for the Society in safety to itself to
confer upon individuals, must and can
only be given while they remain within
it's communion. While they SO remain,
equal riglts in clothing, food, and all
the social fellowship approved by the
custo Of the Society are guaranteed.
"rhat, Notwithstanding the rules pre-
scribed by the Society Tor the malnte-
nance OF our life celibacy, there are social
amenities and strong bonds OF TREND
ship and love to be found among us, as the
letters written by these poor deluded
women give abundant evidence.
1--WE, (the Shakers have entered into
a most solemn contract, by which we
covenant ourselves to sacredly hold
and transmit to our successors the dedl-
Gated and consecrated inte. est OF the SO
ciety.
"Tnese people (the Dills), had come
to US not only IN destitute clrcum
stances, but even the mother bearing Ill
her arms the evidence OF her hrst un'
wise confidence, Was almost helpless'
The child was taken and carefully ana
prayerfully dealt by; guarded through
infancy to glrlhood, and every enort IN
the power of the Society used to still
iurther guard and protect her; but in
her williulness and obstinacy she re-
iiected all counsel and admOnltion, and
ner course finally became such as would
inevitably have elected her from any
well regulated family outside OF oul
church. Her conduct was such as Woult
have met with much more prompt anC
summary treatment from those Wht
strive to cast severe censure upon US.
"Tne mother left for the city, taking 81
and returning the next day stated she
had secured place for both, and thel
SIS was given them, they stating the
: we're going to work at once. In addition
!, to this they took with them articles Q
! clothing, &C., which see are valued b.
the State at $2O0.
SIT has been sought to convey the ide
that the pititully touching letters giVln
> notice OF their intention to perpetrat
the deed were received by the Society
and in tace Of such notifications refuss
8 was given. Tuis is indeed very far r.
moved from the truth.
Z "The letter written by the girl askin
o for readmisslon was dated April II, an
i contains not single word or even int
:, nation OF suicide. The letters Of tn
f oath were the ne&G written TO the Societ
i members, and those did not reach US VI
|. I'll noon OF the 27Ch, two days after W
8 had received notice through the paper
d of the sad transaction. This We thin
n sufficient answer 10 this charge.
= "And now, the refusal to bury the boz
les.
"Although at first there were some fe
in the Society who thought 1T bestto sc
r to the burial, the wisdom of the couri
, taken BY the leaders OF the Society ca
not even be questioned. They hay
p maintained, by the course taken, II
fright of the Society to refuse burial
persons no longer connected with Il
Community. And in this connection
: is only fair to stale thai, should an
!. person unite with the Society, and e,
. pire within an hour, the onakers wOu
!. not call upon any to help bury him
- ner."