The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-02-05
AMONG THE "ECONOMITES."
A Singular Sect-Its Rules and ReEuln.
tions-A Thrifty Colony.

n olUR ulHE oCCt-1Io AhAAO ~
tions-A Thrifty Colony.
About midway between Beaver and
Pittsburgh, on the Fort Wayne and Obi.
cago road, the brakeman, in his usual
distinct and impressive manner, an
the station, ECONOMY. We
from the cars, and, following a
high, winding road. came unexpectedly
upon q broad plateau, from which the
village Of Economy, entirely concealed
from the railroad, just becomes visible.
The town is owned and occupied by q
sect of German communists, OF whom,
perhaps, but little is known beyond
their immediate section. From the
men, who kindly greeted us upon enter
ing, we learned some parti. ulars OF this
singular people. They neither marry
nor are given in marriage, and, in order
to p%erpetuate the society, children are
adopted, invariably of German descent.
The colony was founded by q man Of the
name of Rapp. They settled first In
Harmony, Ohio, and, about twenty years
ago, removed to their present site.
Nothing can exceed the cleanliness OF
this village, although peculiar in its
general aspect. Not even a blade OF
grass or obtrusive stone can be seen on
its streets. The houses are built with
the gable,end to the street, and no
mode of entrance is visible. They are
covered with %grapevines, which grow in
a manner in keeping with the general
eccentricity of the place. The vines are
concealed by shrubbery until they reach
the level OF the second story of the
houses, when they branch out most
lu1uriantly, and all the spaces between
the windows and roof are file
with delicious grapes, from which are
manufactured wine in large quantities.
Noticing q hedge OF beautiful roses IL
closing a handsome garden, I inquired
of an old man standing near, who, with
evident pride, pointed out a house bare
" visible as the residence of Miss Rapp,
daughter of the founder. She was sick,
and we we're thus deprived OF the pleas
ure of seeing the interior of the house,
which contains many fine paintings, the
work of eminent masters. The men and
women live in separate houses-the VIC
men doing most of the outdoor work.
They make and manufacture their "
clothes. Their dress consists of blue
home-spun, not made after the approved
Paris style, but perfectly straight from
top to bottom, with a string or belt
at the waist, and reaching only to the
ankle. Immense straw hats, also home
made, high.crowned, with strings to tie
them down at the sides, complete the
costume, which is at least unique. The
men wear broad. brimmed hats andhome
spun cloth, but made after the conven-
tional mode. The society is governed
by a council of old men, with a business
manager, appointed by this council, who
is held in high esteem by virtue OF his
Office. They own an immense amount
of property, in coal and iron mines and
railroad stock, the Newcastle and Erie
road belonging almost exclusively to
them. They manufacture o large guam
iity of cutlery, too, which is famous for
it's excellence and beauty. Mr.. Baker,
their former agent, has been succeeded
by Mr.. Henrici, a man OF great e1ecu-
tive ability, an acute and successful
6nancier. They realize large sums from
the sale of email fruits, for which they
find ready market in Pittsburgh, distant
about thirteen miles. They have a house
OF worship, but I could not find out
nothing distinctive as to their creed, If
they have any. They have no class oil
men known exclusively as preachers.
As we were about leaving the village we
received an invitation to visit Miss
Rapp's garden. We found in it howers
OF rare beauty and great profusion. In
the center is a grotto, rough in exterior,
but covered with moss and lu1uriant
ferns. The log door opens into a room
of more than ordinary size, aad one is
startled by the beauty of the alabaster
walls, intersected by gilt panels or
columns, upon which is written a history
of the society from it's first inception to
the present time-the whole in COM
memoration of the founder, Mr.. Rapp.
Statues and ornaments OF various kinds
and many rare objects Of virtu also
adorn it. We saw no children. They
have schools for them, however, and at
a certain ege, eighteen I think, they are
allowed 10 uCclue do w "AoluoA ohoy
shall cast their lot with the communists,
or 20 into the world ; and this choice is
final. They have no intercourse with
the outside world, but receive strangers
civilly and even Hospitality. Love,
however, which knows nor cares for
bounds, has entered eve here The
community were startled a few years
ago by the %elopement of q young and
beau .iful girl, who bad been fortunate
enough to capture a strolling tourist.
Great CONSERVATION ensued, and how the
result wal accomplished remains a mys-
terry. Their manner are frank and
brusque, but no allusion must be made
to their eccentricities. Their numbers
are decreasing, and unless the young
people are denied their present liberty
Of choice in remaining members, or are
kept in ignorance of the advanced pro-
gress of the age, the village of Economy
must soon be numbered among the
things that were.-&. Louis Repu6H-
can.