The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-17

AuELaLL alps Elal4HeHr aal-rH 1aAsAAA HsAA-
leys OF singular and impressive beauty.
A region more picturesque cannot be
found in an Europe. and its history has
been as marvellous ar its physical features
are beautiful and uuusuaLfor here through
long centuries have dwelt the Walienses,
a little company OF the faithful. who, in
the face Of cruel and relentless persecu-
tons have clung 70 the faith delivered Of
old to the saints. and who have been
called. and not without reason. the Isreal
OF the Alps
The Waldenses trace their descent from
the Apostolic age and number among their
forefathers. Christians who made their
escape from Rome during the persecution
OF Nero Apostles il is affirmed. preached
the Word in their valleys. and from father
TO son the truth has been handed down
through the ages. The history Of the
Waldenses reads like a romance. and
rarely fails to stir the hearts OF those
who cherish patriotism and religious free
dom.
Small wonder then that they cling low
ingly to their native soil even when it is
barest and blacklist. but the crowded con-
dition OF their valleys has in recent years
compelled many OF them TO seek homes
in other lands and two years ago a colony
OF them settled in the Piedmont section
Of North Carolina, though their coming
seems thus far to have escaped the at
tention OF the press.
In the summer Of 1852 one OF their min
listers. DR.. Theohfo Cal. while travelling
in the United States. had suggested TO
him the idea Of a Waldensian colony tn
Burke county, North Carolina. On his re-
turn home he laid the matter before his
people. strongly urging its adoption. and
a committee was sent out to inspect the
lands offered. This committee reported
1avorably. the property was purchased
from a local land company and In the
summer Of 1898. some twenty families
comprising the advance guard Of the col
ony, arrived. being followed a few months
later by a much larger number.
The colony now numbers several hun
dred people nearly all under the age of
3d. and in every way admirably adapted
to the hardships of pioneer life. The prop
erty of the colonists comprises several
thousand acres Of excellent land. and was
purchased on very favorable terms. The
land lies about eight miles from Morgan
ton, the county seat Of Burke county is
partly timbered with oak and pine, album
dainty watered and well suited to grape
and fruit culture. At the outset the colony
was a corporation chartered under the
laws of North Carolina, but recently it
became clear that the best interests of
the colonists would be promoted by dis
solution Of the corporate life and hold
ing of the land in severalty. Accordingly
the land is now being divided among the
colonists. Each family receives from
forty to one hundred acres, and each free.
holder assumes an equitable portion of the
debt contracted by the community.
Since their arrival in America the col
onists have been busily engaged clearing
their lands, building houses and setting
out vines and fruit trees, and already
their new home gives splendid promise
OF what it viii be in days to come. The
village of Valdese, which sprang into
being almost in a day. is the postofnce
and railway station of the colony, and
there are located its church, school, gen.
eral store and a hosiery mill, established
TO give employment to the young men,
bers of the colony. The site OF the village
covers some twenty acres, and has been
regularly and tastefully laid off into
streets and building lots. The town lots
are held in trust to be sold for the bene-
fit OF the church and school.
A visit to the colony is full of interest
The Waldenses are, as a rule, of low
stature, the tallest seldom above fve
feet, six inches in hight, stout and thick
set; physical characteristics due, no
doubt, to the hight altitude of their Ital-
ian home. AS a class, they are dark
skinned. bright-eyed and vlvacious They
are industrious, frugal and economical
and seem happy and contented with their
LOT. The cultivation of the soil will be
the principal occupation of the colony
and the land upon which it has settled
is well adapted to the growing of cereals
as well as the culture of fruits and grapes
For some years TO come the cutting of
timber, the gathering OF tanbark and the
saving of lumber will afford employment
for many of the colonists.
The dress of the Waldenses seldom fails
to attract the attention of the visitor.
The women wear head dresses of pretty,
antique design, and the young girls al
ways appear with bright colored hand
kerchiefs neatly tied about their neeks
They keenly appreciate the value of an
education, and the children are all taught
to read French and Italian before they
are twelve. Moreover, they are rapidly
acquiring the language Of their adopted
country, and the colony has already been
formed into a school district under the
laws Of the state. The homes of the colo
nists are simply furnished, but all have an
air of neatness and comfort. Their tastes
are modest and they live on far less than
the most economical American. A re-
fined and whole-souled courtesy is one of
their characteristics. Speak to one OF
them from the youngest to the eldest
and with low bow he stands hat in hand
ready to perform any service. They are
also extremely hospitable. welcome you to
their homes with unaffected cordlaIity
gladly sharing with you the best their
lsrders afford, and count 1t slight IL
you do not accept the universally offered
cup Of tea.
The home life Of the WaIdenses f.
pleasing and peaceful All labor from
early dawn 10 sunset and the evenings
are devoted 70 visits between friends.
study Of the Bible and quiet converse
ton around the hreside. The men are
all great smokers and spend many a
happy hour over their pipes All are
fond Of reading and the French and
Italian journals which reach the colo
ny every week are eagerly seized upon
and quickly passed from hand TO hand.
The Waldenses, following the example
Of the other continental churches. oh
serve Christmas, Good Friday and Easter
with appropriate ceremonies, and on New
Years day exchange gifts and tokens of
affection. but Feb. II, or Emancipation
day is the red letter day in the Walden