The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-09-14
The Amish--A Peculiar Sect.
sFE in the Lancaster tPa.) INQUIRER.

HOOKER MennOnlteS Iney are caileu
by some, but throughout Lancaster coun-
ty no one knows them by any other name
than Amish. That they wear hooks and
eyes on their clothiug instead of buttons
is the chief fact that is known about them
by those who wonder where the first Amish-
man came from and where was born the
conviction that buttons are only for siuful
outsiders, forbidden to the faithful, and
an evidence of unholy pride and general
worldliness.
The Amish church or community was
founded by Jacob Amen, of Amenthal,
Switzerland, rigid Mennonite preacher
of the seventh century With all Men
nonites he adhered to the confession of
faith adopted by the Synod of Deodrecht
in 1882 A small colony of this commu-
nifty emigrated to America in 17i7 and
settled in Lancaster county. Out of this
community a. colony0removed to the Kisha-
coquillas valley, in Mifiin county, about
the year 1900. This was regarded as an
ideal location for the successful develop
nlGnU OF an ALnlSu community.
The primitive church, or what is known
as the old school Amish, maintained a
great simplicity in dress and manners, and
were much more exclusive than the new
school of the church as it exists in Miffiin
county at the present time Their cloth
ing was of the plainest kind, ill-ftting,
and at the first sight of them to those who
had never seen any before they presented
an amusing spectacle. The men wore their
hair very long behind and cut straight
across their foreheads, covering their heads
with large round crowned, broad -brimmed
hats. Their clothing was fastened with
hooks and eyes instead of buttons. The
pantaloons were worn without suspenders.
Their boards were permitted to grow long,
except the mustache, which was kept
closely trimmed at all times. The women
usually wore plain white caps, without ruff
file or border, and white handkerchief,
though occasionally either of these gar
ments might be black. Usually the skirts
of their dresses were worn short, reaching
but little below the knees All theil
gowns werc of sober wooden stuff, frequent
" of flannel. Their bonnets were made
of straw and had very low crown, but
had very wide rim. The rims were
turned down on each side and kept in place
by ribbon placed under the chin. Strange
to say, this style of bonnet, which in aftel
years was known as the ''sundown, was
adopted as fashionable headgear by
the ladies of this country during the wal
of the Rebellion, so at one time in then
history of America the Amish were fully
up to the latest style in this particular.
The old school Amsh rode only in a
carriage with springs made of wood "a very
rough and uncomfortable vehicle 1t was,
which had for cover top of either heavy
white muslin or yellow oilcloth. Then
furniture was of the plainest kind. They
had no carpets on their floors and the fur
niture consisted of few chairs, cupboard'
and bedsteads. This, with cook stove
some utensils and dishes, constituted the
household effects. The women were ex
cellent housekeepers and kept everything
in perfect order at all times. A peculial
feature in connection with their dress was
that the children were dressed like thei
elders; and in this respect the Lancaster
county organization sticks to the old rule
The little Amish boys of today are repro
ductions of their fathers in about all there
is to be seen except in boards The wet
Amish girls are dressed like their mothers
So staid and sober do the children look tha
one is tempted to ask Do these children
known how to play?
The Amish people were opposed to edu
cation for long time, and took little in
terest in the public schools. The estab
ment of seminary in the Kishacoqullla
valley few years prior to the Civil Wa
(mainly through the efforts of the Scotch
Irish Presbyterians) and the education
this institution of several young Amish
men, marked new era in the history
the Amish people Among the younl
men who received good education at TIN
seminary was Solomon 2. Sharp, who be
came afterwards one of the most success
full instructors in the State, and who wa
principal of this seminary for some time
Mr. Sharp entered Millersville Norma
from the seminary and was graduated i
1860 Some years later he returned t
Millersville and resided for while In tn
house opposite the present residence of d
j. TT. Pickle. I think he taught in th
Normal while living there. At present h
is the head of a college at Pittsburg, Mo
It was while he was principal of Klshaco
ouillas seminary that through his infiuenc
several young Amisemen were lnduced't 7
receive instruction who afterwards not onl
became successful teachers, but very intel
lieent citizens. These persons were instru
mental in developing an educational spirl
among their people, who now, as class
take greater interest in the public schools
With the advent of an educational spir
came more progressive state of affairs
the Amish people of Miffiin county. Th
old uncomfortable vehicles were replace
bv modern and comfortable carriages. Th
homes were better furnished; carpets wer
laid on the floors and other comforts wei
established. This state of affairs led to
little schism in the church, which resulte
in a new church on a modern basis whlc
has now almost completely absorbed tn
mother church. In their dress the ne'
school Amish adhere to hooks and eye
instead of buttons on their clothing, bu
they have musical instruments in the
homes. They do not wear the outlandis
broad -brimmed hat, and have their cloth
ing made to fit them. The Amish wome
also discarded the peculiar manner of dre'
for richer, more slightly and comfortabl
garments. The Peachyites, appearance
seem to show clearly, have no followers
this { (Lancaster) county.
In the matter of religion their faith
very simple With them Christianity
recognized as life. They believe tn;
the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ O
earth was TO teach men how to live an
not to suffer and die to appease the wrat
of an angry Gcd According to their fait
the Christ life is to live soberly, to do JUS
", love mercy and walk humbly with the
God. They have no bishops or priest
and are without any masters. This the
claim they get from the Scriptural deelar'
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