The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11
The Shakers.

The Society of Shakers, in Mercer
county, own jointly about six thousand
acres of land, most of which is OF the
choicest bluegrass land. Near the center
of this rare garden spot Is situated the
cleanest, neatest little village III Ken
lucky, called by its inhabitants Pleasant
Hill, by outsiders Shakertown. For along
time back this great farm has been divid-
ed, though not equally, into three smaller
ones, upon each of which stood sufficient
buildings to accommodate those VINO
titled the soil and those who engaged IN
the different manufactures, Tor which the
Shakers are noted. One place was called
West Lot, the population of which was,
and is yet, composed principally OF
Swedes. The name of another iamlly.or
farm, is the North House; while the
third and largest division Is known as
the Center, or what is generally called
Shakertowp, proper. Previous to the
war the society numbered about five hun
dred souls, ANA proSpered tinancially, as
WAS evidenced 10y the constant addition
ofterritory which they purchased at what
would now be considered fabulous
figures. Their preserves. brooms, garden
seeds. silk, wooden cloths and other arti-
Giles which they disposed Of in southern
markets brought them IN An immense IN
come, and their reputation sbroad for
the manufacture Of these commodities
was enviable. and uneNcelled by any
place or people. Great boa, loads were
shipped from the lsndiug on Kentucky
river to New Orleans annually. Then
they had q msn ~ the helm. VINO steered
their craft with 3 sSl..iul hand, the we'll
known head Of the Shakers. the late
Rufus Bryant. The war coming on, the
Young men deserted them. most of whom
cast their fortunes with the Cuntederacy.
Their population has diminished steadily
from death. deseriion and other causes.
ffou. that time on until now two hundred
names will more than embrace them all.
Their manufacture with the exception
ot hrooms. have ceased 10 bring them in
revenue Of any consequence. Their in
dustrles, once so furnishing, are now
crippled ami almost disabled, and they
are now compelled, in some instances, To
buy wha, they were formerly wont to
manu- acture for sale. They depend upon
u4IGfa AabilI - tu-Al' Alt Nl4Cli hbt
the breeding of blnoied stock is not con.
Quoted on near 80 large a scale as for
meily. They have been embarrassed hy
debt. which has caused them recent Y t.
divide up agaip, pay off their obligations
ana commence anew. lac Center owed
about SO 1000. small debt 10 So hairass
the owntrs of ST. much valuable zeal cs-
tate, bat tn. Shaker, are honest, and de.
sired To rce! tho oJ!igations without
e!li ANY OF tAel: broad acres pass from
their hand, or coutro., and - they have
sub-dviIed this. Center, including build
ings, lands and families, into three dis
tipct apartments, Is follows: Frank Pen
nebacker, the head of the West family, Is
allotted one of the divisions, by paving
$4,000, and obtains control of 1890
acres, including buildings and popui.-
ton Of about thirty-siX. Steven Bosso
becomes the elder ana head of the East
family. and contributing $4,000, gets al
lottcd for his supervision. 300 acres OF
land and buildings, III which reside
torty-tvo souls. Abraham kulp will
pre- Idle as Elder over the remnant of the
Center, which pays $1,000 Of the debt,
gets control Of 1900 acres of land and
buildings, including the pos,-otiice, and
large brick dwelling, known by visitors
there as the Office. Eighty-odd Shakers
dwell upon kuIp's apportlonmeDt. Toe
horses, mules and farming utensils were
divided up also, each family getting their
prO gdtu. 81 Shakertown is now divided
up into five Jurisdictions, each presided
over 10y An elder, YET all are really under
one government and attend one church,
which is in charge OF Elder Benjamin
Dunlevy, minister of some ability.
Durability of Stone Monuments.