The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-05
The ZOARITES.
A QUEER RELIGIOUS SECT IN
OHIO.
Something About Their Manners and
Customs The Origin OF
the Colony.

the Colony.
Eda Wilhelm Mclean, M. D., In
Boston Courier: This little colony OF
Zoar has from 200 to 400 people, and
in no way resembles any other sect
known in the United S ates.
Their village is situated in beauti-
full valley of Tuscsrawas county, Ohio.
For miles their fertile high lands add
and low lands stretch out before you
as you pas either by rail or carriage,
and by the luxuriant verdure OF foliage
and rich green fields are easily dis
tinguishable from the less highly cul-
iiysted land OF individual proprletors.
No fences mark the boundaries OF
their farms; here and there clump
of trees marks the site OF some ieo ated
house, net more than two Of these,
probably, TO be found on all their land.
They follow the old German custom,
live together In q village and 20 from
there In numbers to their work in the
morning and return at night.
Religious persecution compelled
them to leave Wurtemb 1rg, Germany,
in 1917, TO find free home in Ameri.
ca. Joeeph Blemler, teacher and re.
ligious enthusiast, headed this little
colony and brought them TO this coun-
try. They landed at Philadelphia, Pa.
He bought them, from Quakersin that
city on long credit in 1918, b6OO acres
ofthe land theyn owp, of which they
took possession in midwinter. They
were almost destitute OF money, farm
ing utensils, food ard the necessaries
OF life. The land was covered by for
ests; no settlements were near and
the country abouuded in animals OF
prey.
Bark huts snd log shanties were
built and afforded their only shelter.
The hardships Of poverty, cold and
hunger were endured. Cutting their
way through heavy timber, erubbing
up the underbrush, breaking The
ground and Cleaning off the stones to
make fitting soil for the cultivation
OF the corn aud potatoes which formed
the chief articles OF diet.
Instead Of the church gong bell in
vitirg to the house OF God on Sundays
the sound OF the trusty rifle was hear
reverberating among the hills Veni-
son and game, which were abundant,
were stored for the coming week. The
building OF the Ohio canal gave them
work and means TO pay for their lands;
they took q section and all hands Ia
bored upon 1t, women included. This
was their beginning; they now own
many thou.end sores of the richest
and b'st land in the country, and sre
worth several millions OF dollars
They invest their money in govern
ment bonds, and are largo holders OF
bank and railway stocks. They
live together in small bat substantial
and comfortable village, whose red
tilsd roois and church spire hiding in
the green trees greet you from dis
lance with such friendliness that y u
dream OF the "iatherlnnd."
The Wirthsbaus wss built soon after
the first winter, anG was open 10 trsv-
elers ssrsying that way. Nina In the
kitchen 90 cook and "Frau Winknin"
soon had q reputation for "a excellent
dinner, and for many years 10 g, 10
Zoar for one OF Mina's "dinneIs" was
considered rare treat by those who
had lived even 90 far 60 100 miles
away.
In 1882 the Wirthahaus was rebuilt.
Their church Is OF red brick, without
architectural beauty, either outside or
10, and lbs only ornament Ia q very
large and handsome pipe organ.
They ore people very iond OF
music, and have several Of the very
best modern pianos and other ipsiru-
ments in their various homes and in
the Wirtbshaus. One Of the greatest
delights to me when child was to be
taken TO the house OF "Aferi Fritz"
the cabinet maker, and be shown the
little old piano that he had himself
made. He would play for me Bound
ing Billows," aud the music and songs
Of his folk lore by the hour, aud then
carefully, a. il he loved it dearly,
show me his work OF art, or rather, as
he called II, his "weibchen"-litile
wife.
Blemler used TO preach to the Zoar.
ties every Sunday. One OF the
thoughtful members, after these Sun
day preachings, went home and care
folly wrote down these sayings of
Blemler as he remembered them.
After Blenders death they were
gathered together and printed, and are
now read from the pulpit every Sun
day by q lit Q white-haired old man
with go.d-ripmed spectacles and ared
band ana handkerchief which he uses
vigorously at every period.
Their dead are buried without the
least ostenmtion. The body 10 put
into arough box covered with straw,
and at night Is lowered into the grave,
the relatives aud friends never asking
nor knowing where. They mourn in
silence aud without any outward siRn.
In . large white building opposite
the Wifthshaus, called the "etore,p
lives old Barbara, her face oil scanned
and wriDkltd with care aud age, her
white hair combed straight back from
her face, and little tight fitting white
cap tied under the chin. She comes
TO greet you, knitting in hand, as You
enter. This building 10 devoted 10 the
storing of the quaint and curious
articles, many OF them manufactured
by the villagers In the cd German
manner.
Each member OF the society is en-
titled to bis shase Of the goods, every
thing being owned In common; but
should any one leave, which is always
optional, he goes without anything.
Any one may join; none are obliged
TO stay. He who would join binds
himself for one year; II dlssatieied, be
leaves, taking what he brought with
him; II contented, q second year
pesee. He becomes member, but ID
allowed no vote.
At the beginning Of the third year
be signs his property, II he hes any, to
the society, bat II he then leaves he
takes nothing with him.
For many reasons they prefer poor
people to JON them, as they are mora
certain 10 remain.
All vote, the young men at 81, the
a