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

upon the floor and q number of splint-
bcttomed chairs, containing home
made cushions. and clean white towel
each back, in a prim row all around
the room.
A small table, with q prim lamp,
stood in one corner of the room; also
register, for visitors names, and o
a volume on Mother Ann"
A splint-bottomed rocking chair, the
only luxury (if it could be called So in
the room, stood before the table, and
into this sank and waited.
could hear the murmur of voices
from somewhere, and soon after the
hack and driver departed. / heard
footsteps approaching. Looking up I
beheld i'll the doorway large, fine
looking woman, brunette of appar-
entity thirty-fve years of age.
She was dressed in the straight, full,
clinging dress OF the Shakers, with a
cape OF the same material upon her
shoulders, and upon her head she wore
close-ftting, neat white bobbinet
cap.
She did not appear very cordial at
first, but afterward this wore away.
She introduced herself by giving me
her given name, Matilda" and asked
mine, and while 1 remained among
them was called by it.
In little while Matilda said she
would call the eldress, and left me
while she did so.
Soon after the eldress highest in
authority came in, and I found her to
be very well-informed woman, with
the air of a supreme Judge; and still
later half dozen of the sisters came in
and seated themselves in the straight
backed, splint- bottomed chairs, and sat
with folded hands and spoke in mono.
syllables.
Most of their countenances were very
pale, and wore weary, hopeless sort
OF an expression.
There was such lack OF cordiality
and such a frigid dcmeanor that ii
struck chill to my heart, and was
suggestive of death and open graves.
Later I was presented to one of the
elders, a delicate little man, an old
gentleman with snowy hair and the all
Of Lord Chesterfield.
was surprised when he took off his
hat and bowed to me with such a
courtly grace, as 1 had been told the
Shakers never remove their hats OF
bow to woman, and learned after.
ward that this was true; that Elder
Charles Clapp was the exception, and
have always admired the snowy
haired little gentleman ever since.
| OF him heard much OF the life and
ways OF the Shaker.
| The first building erected at this set.
Element was in 1905, and at that time
and later the community became large
and flourishing.
At present there are about one hun.
bred members in the community.
| Very few of the genuine Shakers
are living. Those who come to them
now dol SO mostly for home ana free.
dom from responsibility, rather than 8
conviction Of faith in the celibate life.
The Office is at the Center, and in this
building all business with the world
people is transacted; here the hired
men partake of their meals, as we'll as
| all outsiders, and in this building is
| also the postotfice, q county Office. Of
course.
A building erected for holding serv.
ices called the meeting house is Jus,
opposite the Office, but rarely used
now.
The heads of the community are
called the ministry, consisting Of two
aged elders and addresses, and all have
to obey the will and mandate of the
woman highest in authority, Eldress
Louisa Farnham.
The Center House is the best build
ing at Shaker" Three stories ir
height, made of brick of their own
manufacture, and erected in 1874, il
has the appearance of new structure
at the present time.
The houses are all large, roomy, and
airy, with long halls running the en-
tire length, and are kept scrupulousl,
neat.
At the Center House is also The
meeting-room, and situated in the cen
ter OF the building. The Shaker
Sabbath commences Saturday evening
and continues until Sunday evening.
heservices consist of short speeches
by the brothers and sisters and singing
and marching, keeping time to the
tune with both feet and hands.
The sexes have no communicate,
except on strictly bus ness matters