Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-03-30

depot at 9:l5 one Dalmy morning In
early autumn, we left Cincinnati fol
Lebanon, a small village north, thirty
miles distant, Of perhaps three thou
sand inhabitants.
Our destination was Shaker vii
lage four miles west of Lebanon, lying
between the Big and Little Miami
rivers. ..
The ride from Cincinnati to Lebanon
took us through some of the finest
country in the Ohio Valley.
At il AS we steamed into Lebanon,
quiet, sleepy little place, where we
were obliged to wait until 2:30 p. m.
for the hack-a stage route lying be-
tween Lebanon and Franklin, the lat
ter about ten miles distant.
The day was one of those dreamy
days in autumn, that seem somehow to
have strayed away from heaven.
The drive from the railroad station
at Lebanon to Union Village, the
Shaker settlement was lovely one.
The sky hazy blue, the air soft and
mild, and replete with the melody of
the birds, and fragrant with the per-
fume of the late flowers. The dew still
sparkled upon the wayside grasses, and
the leaves upon the grand old trees,
through which the smooth white road
wound, rustled, and seemed to whisper
that the green Of their garments must
soon be changed to russell and brown.
1t was with q feeling OF reverence,
not rmmixed with sadness, and no little
curiosity, that we approached the
boundary line dividing Shaker" from
"the world"
From earliest recollection we had
learned of the perfect lives of these
people, and it seemed like sacrilege as
the hack-wheels rolled upon the con-
secrated ground.
".Ehis is the line," said the driver,
breaking in suddenly upon our reverie
and pointing to the place indicated with
his whip.
"And there are five thousand acres
of land all in bunch belonging to this
community, besides fine farm within
two OF three miles Of Cincinnati" he
continued.
l looked out upon what appeared to
be the garden spot of the world. AS
far as the eye could reach lay acres
and acres Of fine timber-land, fields of
waving corn and luxuriant vegetation.
focks Of sheep, and cattle, and horses
upon thousand hills"
A turn in the road, and we came sud-
denly upon the houses and lands of the
"South family
Here were fine orchards and vine
yards, and everything, from the white
washed gates and fences to the tall,
quaint buildings, with their broad,
old-fashioned chimneys, bespoke neat
ness and thrift.
Upon nearly all the buildings could
be seen the date Of irerection-19O7,
1871, 1922, and 1S49.
Looking up the long white road,
could see the village proper entire,
with the exception Of the "West fam
lily" buildings, lying Off in that direc-
ton, and hidden from view by the
trees and undulating ground.
The Community is divided into four
families.
The Center called the "rirst"
family-and if there is any distinction
made it is here-and the North y
South and "West" families,
The houses are all built after one
pattern, having large square front,
with. very long wing or L attached,
and each family has its stables and
sheds for stock and farm implements.
I grew deeply interested as we rolled
along, noting everything.
There was an air Of peace surround.
ing us. Except for the sound of the
carriage wheels and horses hoofs upon