Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-06
The AmiSh Community.
PECuLIARITIEs OF PEOPLE VINO ISOLATE
THEMSELVES IN MIFFLIN COUNTY.


In the southwestern half of the little dia-
moud-s haped county of Mifflin in this State,
are thicklv settled curious and unnOtced
people. They form more than half of the
broad and fertile valley in which they live.
They are all farmers, and good farmers too.
even if their methods are old-fashioned. Not
one of them is known to be in want, for
when one OF their number meets with rever-
SEES in his business affairs the others promptly
supply him with the necessary money or
lands They seem to believe in socialstic
principles. for they maintain an equality of
wealth among themselves. Yet each one is
decidedly economical and strives to save eve
nv cent possible. The children are not sent
away to school, as education is looked upon
az one of the devices of the evil one, but
instead their children are hired out to earn
a few dollars.
The houses in which they live are usually
large wooden structures The doors are in
halves, so that in the summer the upper half
NAV be left open. Carpets are Unknown,
and the floors are bare except where kind
of rug is spread before the fire. The furni
ture is scant and cheap No Orna-
ments of any kind adoru the walls There
is no painting or papering. but only heavy
coating of solution of lime and water on the
sides and ceilings of the rooms. The barns
are built not onv to afford a storehouse for
the p oducts of the surrounding farm but APP
parentlv to contain the products of farms
which maybe purchased in the future. All Of
those barns are painted either red or brown.
or. as some seem to prefer. a dark yellow
All the fences and surrounding buildings are
whitewashed every year. and sometimes twice
year.
These people came from Germany and
settled here in the early part Of the present
century. In religion a. we'll as customs they
resemble the Dunkards and the Quakers
Those no sre orthodox Amsh Worship in each
others houses. changing from house to house.
They elect one of their number to preach for
them, and he has no previous preparation eX-
cept becoming able tn read the German Bible
He is not paid for his services, although he is
expected to give an hours harangue each
Sunday At these meetings, which are al
WAYS long, they have kind of fast after the
services are over. long table is set with
several large bowls of bean soup and large
supply of "half moon" pies. With this I'M
varied diet they literally gorge themselves.
They are opposed to war and 10 law. Many
time have they suffered themselves to be
robbed of hundreds of dollars rather than
take legal oath. They firmly belief that
ktlt sCElpkuThl lhlHHtllbu swear NOT at All,
has reference to legal swearing, and conse-
quently they will not hold offices of trust.
They also have a peculiar aversion TO war,
and it is said that during the civil war only
one Amishman took up arms, and he did so
against the will Of his friends. They willing
IL paid bounty, aot from cowardice, but be-
cause they regard All war as sinful.
These people are among the least p-etenti-
Gus under the sun. The men are clad in
heavy homespun cloth suits, often of kind
of yellowish color. They are cut roomy IN
every part. The coats of the old men are
very long and of the young men
very short. They discard buttons and
use metal ''hooks and eyes" Even
on the coolest they are seen without over
coats. They all wear wide brimmed hats and
heavy cowhide boots. They never shave. and
their hair Is allowed to hang down upon the
shoulders in thick. heavy locks. The hair of
the boys and young men is never touched bv
barber. 1t is occasionally trimed by their
fathers. however. 1t is banged BY combing
forward and cutting off just above the eye
brows.
The women, among whom are many rustic
beauties. do much of the outdoor work, such
as digging garden and feeding pigs. They