Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-02
IT QUAINT.
How the Economics Inaugu.
rated the New Year.
THEIR MUSIC FESTIVAL.
Preceded by Impressive Religious
Exercises.
THE GOOD GERMAN DINNER SERVED
Some Of the Interesting Features of the
Festivities Of the Day,
THEIR MUSIC FESTIVAL.
TIE GOOD GERMAN DINNER SERVED
how TIE LOVE OF MUSIC is FOSTERED

''Gute nacht!" was said more cordially
than usual last night to the watchman who
early began his rounds of the picturesque
village of Economy At each door where
his old-fashloned lantern lighted the stone
steps for moment there was a word of
greeting for him from either the portly
German master, a buxom Dutch servant
woman or rollicking boy. In their own
quaint way the Economics had inaugural
ed the new year. A day of good cheer
would not be to them complete without
leaving something pleasant for the
town guardsman to think about
during his lonely vigilS. He had been the
first to announce the arrival Of the New
Year. Now he was the last to receive con-
gratulations. He could have told you by
the hearty manner in which theywere given
that it had been jolly day with the
society,"
1t was jolly, but it was impressive, too.
Each year marks more distinctly the grow
ing age of the 50 surviving members of this
remarkable society. Increasing age in
tensifes their earnestness in religious
life, softens their sturdy manners,
adds to the charm Of their
home habits. Yet it will all end some day.
1t is this thought of decay that imparts
solemnity to all they do. But there is
young and thriving life at Economy also,
and as selfshness is no part of the older
Economics character they spend the
greater part Of fete days in furnishing en-
joyment for the young men and women, and
for the boys and girls That's where the
fun comes in.
BEGINNING THE NEW YEAR.
The German families hired by the Econo-
mites to work the estate of 1000 acres ag-
gregste nearly 400 persons. These people |
all gathered in the church yesterday morn
ing Jonathan Le1z, the only survivor
OF the old stock of Rappists, now in his |
SD year, preached to them from a biblical
text Congregational singing was led by g
splendid choir, for whom two organs were |
played, one by the widely known Jacob |
Henrici, aged IS years, and the other by |
Miss Rapp, aged so years, the grand
daughter of the founder of the society.
At noon the same kind of a New Years |
dinner you would look for, if sojourner in |
Germany, was served. Every one of the |
Tine-clad houses Is the scene of bounti- |
ful feast. As everything is provided out of |
one common storehouse, there was plenty |
and to spare. The rich cream from a dairy |
OF over 100 Alderney COWS; butter, the pur
ity of which cannot be equaled west of the
Alleghenies; bread, made from -four pro-
duced by the old process and retaining all |
the nutritious quality; splendid old wines
from the celebrated old vaults of Economy |
itself, Every home had its own Fatherland |
extras and desserts, but the staples men
toned above are usually what Pittsburg 1
visitors expect more eagerly.
Two o'clock found every dwelling deserted |
again. A stranger going from door to door
would have been bewildered. Nobody was |
at home; streets, wide and beautiful, with
their fringing trees, were entirely empty. |
Not sound could be heard, and the village |
clock, in striking the hours and quarters,
echoed among the 200 silent houses like the
tolling OF funeral bell.
A STRIKING SCENE
But drawing near the clock dials, life was
soon discovered. And musical life, too! In |
the very center of the community stands the |
solid old town hall. From its windows
came forth a volume OF song, strong and |
sweet. Presently brass band took up the |
refrain, and at last the music melted into a
cadence. which the flute alone continued in
q dreamy lingering.
Within was a novel scene. The occasion |
was the annual New Years concert. The |
large, barn-like hall was filled with the
townspeople. On one side sat the women,
on the other the men and boys. The seats
were low benches without backs, except |
four rows in the front of the female tier,
which had comfortable back-rests. On
high platform, surrounded by a paling
fence, was where the musicians and singers
stood. A little lower down table, covered
with white linen, stretched the whole
length of the rostrun. Back of this sat
nine men in row. The ages of the three
in the center aggregated 247 years. In the
middle was Jacob Henrici, the President of
the society, his flowing white hair giving
him something of patriarchial appearance.
To his right sat Mr.. LEM, who with Mr.. /
Henrici acts as trustee for the community.
His short hair, mixture OF gray and white,
and an intellectual cast OF countenance, is
said to recall the lace and figure of the
founder, Mr. Rapp. Sitting on the left
was John White, who at 80 wears of
age, bears small sanity face; his delicate
features surrounded by wealth of silvery
white locks He with John Seheid, Michael
Stab, Joseph Schwarz, George Kirshbaum,
Erusa Woelful and Gotttried Lauppe, form
the council of seven who assist Trustees
Henrici and LEM in the management of the |
place.
DURING THE CONCERT.
People are generally familiar with the
odd stvle of dress of Economites-the mems
broad-rimmed high hats, the womeu's
Holland hGubeS or caps of home-spun silk.
Altogether it was striking assemblage that
was found in the hall.
In the concert MIR. Henrici himself di-
rected the singing of a choir of children.
He is rather infrm now when he walks,
but while stopped with age his voice is
clear and musical as ever, and his touch on
the piano keys has lost none of its skill.
The band consists of 80 pieces and is
equipped with silver instruments from the
East. 1t is recruited entirely by Economy
people, from the 12-year-old boy who played
the flute up to Mr. Woelful, one of the
Council, who is manager. Jacob Rohr is
director. The choirs were two in number,
made up from the boys and girls, young
men and women of the town. The follow
ing was the programme Of the afternoon:
Tntroduction-Grand March. By Kisler
Prayer.
Aria from Anna Bolena (Co-rat
II solo) )..--.-.. -Dg Nieier
ldyll-"The Forge in the Forest
.....-.................... BY Michaelis
Song by Kirschbaum's choir.
CMarcn-"Neujahrsgrus Brass OFT
Family. .......................ByJ Be- ]. Rohr
q Waltz-.sschon list die Ingend" lOr-
chestTa) OFT Family. .......By +. Maschke
Polka-"Pottbusser (Orchestra) OFT
GdullN--. s1oS AudSOhhC
Song by Mr.. Henricl's orchestra.
CCornet Solo-'F acilita," air and va
a. /
o Descriptive Piece "A Hunting
Scene'' e''....................By By Bucalossi
Song by Kirschbaum's choir.