The Anaconda standard., 1895-06-08
SUFFER IN SILENCE
TOrmented, Tortured and Robbed, These
AmiShiteS Don't Complain.
WILL NOT APPEAR IN COURT
Their Little Settlement Near To-
Iedo the Scene of Many Crimes
Perpetrated BY Lawless
Roughs-Devout People.

Toledo, June THE recent depreda-
tions and crimes in the Amish settle
ment, a few miles northwest of this
city. have attracted the attention OF
the authorities Of two or three coun-
ties. and have been a source Of COM
ment all over the state
The Amish sect is a peculiar and ex-
elusive class Of people, who worship
privately according to their own be-
lief. and no matter how great a grieV-
ance they may have against an indi-
vidual or corporation, Ii Is one OF thelr
fundamental principles never, under
any circumstances, TO go into court.
They refuse to obey summonses. and
will not testify under any conditions.
Should a member OF a family be muir
dered. the remaining members of that
family. or any of the sect. for that
matter. will not enter complaint. nor
will they testify. no matter how great
pressure is brought to bear.
This section Of the country has. dur
ing the last few months. been the loca-
tion OF several mysterious crimes. Four
masked men entered the house OF one
of them three months ago and, by
threats and horrible torture inflicted
upon the man and his wife. as well as
threats against the children. secured
several thousand dollars and escaped.
Although il was believed that the
crime was committed by local parties.
and that the family knew who the cul-
prits were they refused to make any
complaint or TO give any Information
that would lead to the apprehension OF
the criminals. The old mans feet were
terribly burned by holding him over
hot fire. and his wife was treated In
like manner
These people seem to have an abund-
ance of everything in the way OF prop
erty, and are excellent farmers, al
though they refuse TO adopt any OF
the improved machinery in vogue IN
this age OF the world. They continue
to use the sickle. scythe. fail ana the
old fashioned beam plows Their mar
ness. clothing. etc. is all hand made,
nnd their general simplicity brings
them into ridicule.
During the last few months two or
three farmers. not connected with the
Amish people. have mysteriously as
appeared from this community. me
people around that part OF the state
have become very suspicious Of their
sanctified appearance and creeds' ana
no little talk has been INDUCED in
subjected To merciless torments. Their
crops have been ruined fences burned,
utensils broken stocks stolen and
many other indignities heaped upon
them.
joel Handst. IL will be recalled. was
only few days ago taken from his
home by several men dressed as white
cans and subjected TO torture. one OF
his ears being cut off and the other
slit lie never murmured or com
pained, but declares he will permit the
matter to rest with his Maker. 1t has
since been learned that a crowd OF
these white caps took a man named
Henry Anker out into the woods a few
nights ago, and. after tying him Sc
curciy To n tree. fiayed him nearly to
death with withes.
one night last week several masked
marauders went to the home OF an
Amish family named Menkler and sub
jccted them to all sorts of indignities.
made them prepare a meal. after which
they ransacked the premises, carried
away valuables and insulted the aged
mother and three young daughters
grossly
Last fall several hundred shocks Of
corn were destroyed one night in this
community by fire in several localities.
One farmer had three hogs slaugh-
tered i'm the pen ono night, and nothing
was left TO show what had been done.
hut the entails when the man went TO
feed the swine I'm the morning. The
Amishites are professedly devout 20 an
extreme. although they have no con-
gregational worship of any sort. They
never go To town or to the city unless
II Is for the purpose Of disposing of
their products or paying taxes. They
never patronize any amusement or
public gathering affair.
The more conservative Of the outside
world who have been carefully scrutin-
lzing their conduct say that they are
sincere in their cccentricities. and that
a tough lot Of citizens in a certain To-
oality In Northwestern Ohio for years
noted for lawlessness. take advantage
Of their persistent refusal 20 prosecute,
and. by way OF excuse, urge the stories
that the Amish people are guilty OF the
crimes they themselves have commit
ted 4 searching investigation Is to be
irstituted. and efforts will be made 10
punish the guilty.