Omaha daily bee., 1895-08-04
Stock In Slghi.
Record OF receipts a, the four principal markets
THE SHAKERS u MOVING.
\ Picturesque Feature of Rural Life
In New York.

~ h"tNt III
In New York,
The Shakers OF Mount Lebanon, who have
for an age been a part of the picturesque life
of New York state. are about to abandon
their historical town in the Berkshire hills,
to cast aside traditions and old time customs
and remove to pastures new. Originally
these Mount Lebanon Shakers were an off,
shoot from the society of Quakers or Friends.
In 1747 a small band settled in New York,
about seven miles from Albany. In 1887 a
settlement was formed at Mount Lebanon,
and within a few years eleven other settle
ments had been formed in New York and
other states. Some time later missionaries
were sent west and four communities were
formed In Ohio and two In Kentucky. Part
or these settlements are still in existence,
others have been entirely dispersed. But
Mount Lebanon has remained the home" or
original town Of the society.
In their settlements their mode of life is
systematic. religious and economical. The
following Is their general plan. A number
Of persons, called collectively a family or
household, are assigned to each house. All
the houses are built after one plan, divided
through the middle by a large hall, and nav
ing the rooms for the male members on ono
side Of the building. and those for the female
on the other side. All property Is held In com
mon, and every member of the household
who is able to work is employed. The set
fNhsN'iNS Suhahy an Oh Hpilc SDtIlik
branch of agricultural or manufacturing bust
ness, in which they often attain great ex-
p%ertness and success. The sect received tho
name OF Shakers because OF the extraordi-
contortions into which they throw themselves
during their religious exercises. When they
meet for religious service an address is first
given by one of their elders on some doc
trinal subject. and then the whole company
form a circle around a band OF singers. and in
time to the music they go through a series
Of XtranF1inarN bodily nunlntinna dannfna
leaping, whirling round and round, with
marvellous rapidity. Some of their members
often claim to have the gift Of tongues and
prophecy.
That these strangely conservative and at
the same time prosperous people are alive
to the tendencies OF the time. that they are
in touch with modern ideas and watch the
movement Of immigration and study the
chances of success as well as the best of us
is evidenced by their determination to give up
their present location. and like thousands of
others in the north and west, seek a place
in the coming country of the union, namely
the great, rich, undeveloped south. The
society has already selected 5000 acres Of
land in the south and are about to close a
trade for 5000 acres more, making 16, 900
| acres in all. 1t Is simply another straw that
shows the present and coming direction that
the people of this country are bound to take
in their selection of a location to live in.
The south is the popular point. Its soil.
ciih'ate' rdiiioau idcIlIies, anu uhueVsiopeu
capabilities, all attract the thinking, intelli-
gent class Of settlers. The enquiries re-
ceived daily as to Orchard Homes, its l-
cation and advantages, are from the best
class of people. 1t has advantages that
the thoughtful man must appreciate upon re-
Election. 1t has good schools already estab-
lished and we'll maintained. Society Is
pleasant and formed and extends a welcome
to the good citizen WHOSE own character liz
his warrant for his place in the community
to which he goes. A mild, equable climate
and the wonderful productiveness of the land
all combine to make Orchard Homes a de-
sirable point for location and an investiga-
ton Of its merits can be confidently made
by any one seeking = permanent. profitable
location for himself and family. Corre-
spond or call upon George w. Ames. general
agent, 1917 Farnam street. Omaha, Neb.