The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-05-30
"Dunkard,, Annual Meeting.


For ten days past Meyersdale has been the
objective point for thousands of members of
the German Baptist Church from all sections
of the United States The cause Of this is
the Annual Meeting which alternates its
sessions between the east and west, and
which is now in session in that place. AS
many members Of that denomination as can
afford TO DO so attend these annual meetings
in order TO witness the proceedings Of the
Church highest delibersIive body, and to
renew their acquaintance and friendship
with their brethren. Nearly every state in
the Union is represented BY one or more Wis
iiors.
For several months past the local commit
tee al Aeyersdal= had been preparing for the
influx Of visitors and ten days ago all ar
rsngemeuts for their reception and enter
tainment were completed.
As early as last Wednesday delegates to
the meeting and members Of the church be-
gan to assemble in Msyersdale. They came
from all directions until on Saturday evening
il is estimated that not less than 10000 stran-
gers were being entertained in that town.
New arrivals have since been coming in on
every train and Il Is claimed that the crowd
attracted by the meeting now numbers
21,0oo
Sunday excursion trains were run 10 Mey-
ersdale from different points along the Bal
umore & Ohio railroad At least 800 peo-
pie went by train over the Somerset & Cam
bria branch. A Conservative estimate Of
the number Of people who utilized the rail
road in order 10 reach there on that day is
5000.
4 majority Of the excursionists were sight
seers and it is safe to say that nearly all OF
them returned h0ae with a feeling Of disap-
pOintmeni. In the frst place they were de-
lAyei by a wreck on the B. & O., elsewhere
referred to. aud again they found every
thing q, &eyersiAle being conducted quiet
y ard without any attempt al display.
| Had il not been for the fact that nearly all
Of the grocery stores were open for business
sd that the streets were lined with eating
booths, one might have thought that he
was in the ordinary American city. The
weather wss perfect and all day long the
streets were crowded with proms1aders.
| There was no disorder and no drunkenness.
Entertainment could be hsd at any OF the
hotels and eating houses, the managers of
which were prepared to entertain q crowd Of
ZOO people as readily as they entertained
the crowd Of 1000 present on that day.
The protracted rains of the pas: week had
rendered the meeting grounds very unat-
tractiTe. The ground was wet and soggy
and one had to pick his s.eps carefully if he
would avoid being covered with mud. Un-
der the roof Of the tabernacle not less than
5000 members ofthe German Baptist Church
were collected Religions services were con-
Quoted at intervals throughout the day in
which all participated. Services were also
conducted both morning and evening by
ministers Of that denomination in all Of the
various churches of the town.
The real work Of the Annual Meeting Will
begin this morning.
This county, az all Of our readers know. has
long been the home Of large number Of the
members ofihe German Baptist-or as It is
more commonly known 'Dunkard''-
Church. OF their intelligence, thrift, hos
pitality and charitsblenes it is unnecessary
for Us to speak, as they hsyeever been regard
ed as among our foremost citizens in every
thing pertaining to the welfare of our county.
Hundreds of their offspring have removed
to the western states, where they have esiab-
lishei communities and built up towns and
earned the admiration and respect Of their
fellow citizens.
Many Of the western brethren have taken
advantage Of the present opportunity to Wis
| il their relatives in this county.