The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-17
A PECULIAR RELIGIOUS SECT.
Their Odd Ways of Living and Dressing
Strange Antics of a Trance Medium.


Strange Antics of q Trance Medium.
Goshen Qnd.) Special.
In the immediate vicinity of Goshen there
exists a peculiar sect-peculiar by reason
of it's religious scruples-and known by the
name of THE Amish." All. father and son,
follow farming for livelihood, and by
made themselves the owners of most of the
farm land in the fertile prairies Of this sec
tion. They are stolid, unenterprising but
industrious class, and form a solid founda-
ton for this city's trade and business
Every day they are conspicuous on the
streets on account of their odd and striking
style of dress. They are all attlred in a SOM
bre black from head TO foot. dark SLOUGH
hats cover their heads, and their hair, fall
ing down to their ears, is suddenly cut of
square, forming a sort of tassel, and cover
ing the forehead in its circular design. A
peculiar haif-cutting practice is followed
by this people. A bowl of sufficient size is
placed on the head of the subject, and
around the edge the shears clip Oft the hair.
squarely and abruptly. The faces of the
men are never shaver, the boards being
only trimmed at stated intervals, dictated
by their religious belief
Their dress is of particularly odd design,
and is also governed by their religion, the
idea being to secure as plain an appearance
as possible. In doing this they but make
themselves the more prominent. They are
universally dressed in plain black, home
breaches that are noted for their disregard
of fit. and the wintry blasts are baffled by
means of an overcoat of the same material,
with cape thrown over the shoulders.
No buttons are to be found IN their cloth
ing. "hook and eyes" being the only means
of fastening used.
In their homes the same eccentricitiee arc
noticeable. Even In the coolest weather
they refuse to carpet their floors, and reject
all modern conveniences and comforts.
They are in this regard also misled by their
unusual belief; they scorn all improvements
and innovations as being conducive of van
ity, effeminacy and weakness, and in their
manner of viewing life they strikingly re-
semble the Spartans of old.
OF late among this people peculiar re-
ligious revival has been taking place. This
is due to the advent of one John Kaufman.
one of their number, who, while pre-
ence, holds 'G'i sort s"' of seanee. com
verses with the spirit world, gives
wild and unnatural sermon-like TRADE.
and greatly awes the hundreds that flock
to hear and see him, and who regard him
as superior being-a saint, "a favored
child of God" These exhibitions are held
at no stated times; those who want TO see
must visit the home of tins mysterious
parsonage and await the manifestations
of the spirits, For some time previous to
one of these frances Kaufman lies notion
less, his limbs as rigid as in death, and
his whole body as if paralyzed. Then sud-
denly with. his eyes closed, he springs to
his feet and PAGES the floor. He then COM
mences his teaching of the gospel. and
for an hour or SO gives violent
and wild harangue, shrieking out his
words in q loud voice. until at last he
becomes so exhausted he falls headlong TO
the floor. The Anlish go in great numbers
to hear and see him, and are tremendously
agitated by his spreading. Ashe approaches
the grand finale they preserve breathless
silence, and at his tragic close they quietly
depart with uplifted eyes. kaufman lies
where he fell, stiff and immovable, for some
time; then he gradually awakens, rises to
his feet. and moves about as if nothing had
happened. This man is attracting great at
tention in this neighborhood. and the AM
TO worship. OF late, however, his frances
have been much less frequent, and his
bodily strength has much decreased.