The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-07-18
LIVES OF THE SHAKERS.
STEADY HABITS BRING TO THEM
LONGEVITY AND HAPPINESS.

Situated in the beautiful valley of the Con-
necticut, about $50 miles from New York. in
a community of people known by the name of
"Shakers.n The correct name is Believers
but from their peculiar manner of worship
the common or outside people ''dubbeds
them Shakers" Their leader was Ann Lee.
born in Manchester, England, in the seven
teen hundreds, Who with her husband and
brother and few followers, commenced to
hold their meetings peculiar to their religious
belief-that is, of the ''celibate life" being the
only true way; but this not suiting the peo-
pie she was arrested and thrown into prison.
There then appeared to her in visions mes
sages from above, telling her to take with
her her followers and come to America and
spread the new gospel She was released.
and with her followers, eight in ALL arrived
in America in 179S. Her persecution was
not stopped after leaving the old country.
A storm arose on the sea, and the captain
was half inclined to throw them all over
board, but only through the prayers of
Mother Ann were they saved. Her husband
left her here in this country, and she and her
few followers started on their mission. Her
persecution here was terrible, as she made a
number of conversions to the new faith and
got many followers. Mother Ann was a
great medium, and at "Niskiunan now
Watervleit, N. Y, where the final settlement
was made she is buried These people claim
forty years advance CT the Rochester
knockers, better known as the Fox sisters.
We arrived at the office of the camp.
where we were met by two of the sisters, and
were invited into the sitting room. We
were invited to dinner, which comprised
plain but well cooked fare.
NEATNEss OF EVERYTHING.
After dinner, by the aid of guide, we in
spected the brothers. and sisters rooms. the
meeting, reading and dining rooms, which -
are complete with all the modern improyeN
mentS-hot and cold water, baths, etc We
were struck with the neatness of everything
In each room hangs the broom, buster and
dust pan. The walls were as white as snow.
and the floors were polished like looking
glass. Leaving that, we visited the barns.
and there we saw one of the finest and larg-
est herds of Jersey cattle that could be
brought together, all of which were regis
tered, as none but full bred can be. We next
visited the dairy, where the bright pans. the
patent creameries and churns were admired.
We visited the boys and girls workshops.
the sisters quarters and the carpenter sbop'
After little rest we took a tramp through
the orchards consisting of pears, apples.
plums of almost every known kind. On a
little knoll on the side Of the orchard is the
cemetery, the little white stones with the
name, age and date of death inscribed on
them Very few died under GO, the maxi
mum being %, pretty good showing that
they are not very short lived
AS night drew on, feeling tired, we were
SHOWN TO our rooms; the sisters took care of
our female friends while a brother did the
honors for us. According to the rules. no
one brother and sister can walk, talk, ride or
work together, and visitors who stay even.
night, be they married or not, must cons#
under the same head as regards the sleeping
part II was our privilege TO stay over Sun
Day We breakfasted on the piazza, and
We're invited to attend meeting.
In the meeting house were arranged on one
SIDE IN their snow white caps and straight
dresses and white shoulder capes, the sisters
on the opposite, the brothers in the same
order. hymn is sung and after few re-
marks by the elder or eldress both sides form
by twos and march around the room singing
at the same time. AT the regular march the
elbows are placed at the sides; the hands.
with palmsiturned upward, keep time in the
marching. In the slow march the hands are
dropped at the sides. with swinging motion.
the body slightly bending forward They
thus marched, counter marched circles and
haf circles with the precision of a ''crack"
regiment After the meeting closed each side
hled out TO their respective rooms At the
meeting IN the evening at O'Clock there was
no marching, but singing, speaking and read
ing.
VERY INDUSTRIOUS.
Inc Shakers are a very industrious people.
They arise at 80 in the morning. except in
November, December and january. when
they arise at s. The brothers who attend
the milking are on hand at the barn by 5 or
before, and the milk is delivered at the dairy
before 5;3O. The churning is also done at
that time. The sisters have the tables set
ana breakfast is ready at 6, dinner at IL
ana supper at q. The meals are all eaten in
slehce' Inc brothers and sisters kneel ia
silent prayer before and after meals AfteTy
inns Is over each brother or sister knows
whaC ms or her duties are and gets ready
Tor days work. Each does an equal
ana IN unison, which makes it easier.
Mother AIMS motto was Glands to work
and hearts to God" They are makers of
numerous kinds of patent medicines.
There Is saw mill, carpenter shop broom
factory, preserve and pickle factory and
stean evaporation for apples. corn dryer,
from whence IS got the Shaker sweet corn.
Ia case any OF the brothers or sisters are
Uakeh SICK the best of care is taken of them,
anu II they should die they are placed in a
pam comm covered with white an emblem
Oh purity and the simplicity of their ways.
Inc BODY is placed in the vestibule of the
meeting house, while the brothers and sisters
SPEAK ana sing appropriate hymns, after
"nlcn the body is taken to the cemetery ard
consigned to the earth.
Tho Ghal-o,.,