The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-26
The Alfred Shakers.

One of the first Shaker societies in
this country was organized in this town
ninety-four years ago, and at the pres
ent time its members are looked upon
with mingled curiosity by those not
familiar with their home life. To-day,
in company with Amos Allen, Esq,
lnte clerk of courts for this county, we
paid visit to the Shaker village, and
found the experience an interesting
one. The village is pleasantly situated
upon tine east bank of Shaker pond,
so-called, and all the fields look we'll
titled. and compare favorably with
those of any other farming community.
The oldest building in the village is the
church, gambrel-roofed structure,
with green painted doors and blinds.
VIII. ch was erected in 1892. and is good
for another century. In fact, its roof
is now covered with the original hand
shaved cedar-shingles, which, on the
steepest part, are good yet for num-
Der Of years. Around this church are
clustered the other buildings of the
society. and the larger part of the 1,2OO
acres of land it owns. At the present
time the society numbers only about
sixty members, two-thirds of whom are
females. At times past there have been
about 800 members, but death has been
an occasional visitor, and during the
forty-eight years that Elder Vance, the
present head of the society, has been
connected with it, about 100 members
have passed over to the majority. The
good living and regular habits enjoyed
by the Shakers are so conducive to
longevity that of the last fifty persons
who have died in this society the aver
age has been seventy years. The old
est member at present is Merrill Bailey,
who has seen eighty-four summers.
seyenty-two of which have been passed
in his present house. He is still well
preserved, and promises to retain his
faculties for several years longer.
Old and curious as is the belief and
practice of the Shakers-the literal in
depreciation of the Bible and the living
apart of the sexes-there are many
things about the people that are COM
mendable. Their living is of the best,
plain and wholesome food-nO pork
having been eaten since lS47-and of
great abundance. Their houses, build
lUGS anu IdluS atIc IuOuclo VI uCdOHOoS,
with frugality and economy everywhere
apparent But no one overworks, and
there is freedom among them which
other communities do not enjoy. All
with them is not somber and long
faced, but instead all have the appear
ance of enjoying their life. Elder Vance
himself, though possessing quiet dig
nifty, being withal one of the pleasant
est gentlemen we have ever met. None
of the members take any part in poll
tics, though being well read in the cur
rent events of the day. From the 1st
of June to the 1st of October the Sun
day meetings of the society are open to
the public, and there is generally a
good attendance of those belonging to
the ''order of generation as the out
siders are called. On the first Sunday
Of the public meetings there is usually
a larger attendance than the church
Can accommodate, there being pecu-
liar belief abroad that the services on
that day are of special character in
stead of the regular order.-AJred
mo \ Hor PocTo,3 EcarnoI