The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-07
MENNON|TES WHO
LIVE IN THE VALLEY
Alter Centuries of Wrong They
Enjoy Earth's Blessings.
ADHERE TO PECULIAR TENETs
We're sNoneComba.ants and Suffered
Much Hardship Rather Than Fire
a Gun--They Now Adhere to
Their Pecuiarities in Dress.
ADHERE TO PECULIAR TENETs

MASsANETTA SPRINGS, VA, Sep
TENDER 6-The Monnites furnish some
OF the stnrdiest and best inhabi-
tants OF the Valley. They first entered
the Valley Of Virginia about the year
17s4. and as time went by became iden-
titled with the interest of the community
tn at the present writing they are
numbered amongst the most wealthy and
conservative citizens Of the counties of
Rockingham, Page and Shenandoah, al
ways maintaining their political lnde-
pendence they vote entirely according
to the dictates of their conscience, and
arc in no ways bound by party ties.
Their carly history furnishes a reci-
tai OF ways INTERESTINGLY borne and a
faith stcadfastiy upheld which is rarely
equaled. The original home of this sect,
was on the banks of The Rhine in the
present canton OF ZTuick, Switzerland,
and It was there as FOR back as 1925 that
crabel, one OF the earliest OF the German
retormers, founded a religious colony.
The distinctive mark OF wnere members
was baptiscd upon confession OF faith.
The main interest or the little comnun-
tty lying not in dogma, but in principe
and discipline. as being the primary law
OF all action. Their outer forms OF re-
iigion placed them IN an attitude Of
sober singularity before the world. AS
time went by large and fourishing colo
MICS sprung up In Switzerland, France,
Germany, and Holland, bur they were
soon to suffer prosecutions worse than
those inflicted on members CT other re-
formed denominations OF that period.
Hundreds were burned at the stake, and
there is scarcely a family among these
people to-day that does not trace back
TO some ancestor who was not burned
st the stake or otherwise tortured to
death Very few escaped with their
lives. In 1887 Memo Simons, formerly
a Catholic priest, gathered the disciples
OF Crabel together, taught them anti
war spirits, and that the Church and
State We're dit1erent institutions. also
religious liberation to all other believ-
err. For twelve years before this they
were know11-as Baptists After this they
Meancnites.
AGAINST INFANT BAPTISM.
From 1880 to ITO they We're persecuted
by other protestants, because they
would not baptisc young children. Many
were exiled TO Russia and Austria. They
first banded in America in 1858, settling
at Germantown, Pa. on October 9th Of
that year. These first settlers came from
Altoona Canton IN Holstein, North Ger
many, at the solicitation OF William
Penn AT that distant day their wear
ing apparel, both Tor men and women
was very plain and entirely devoid of
all appearance OF flnery. The men
wearing large -bmrn1ed hats,
LONG cloak coat or Jacket, KNEE
breeches and stockings. all of that color.
The women's attire consisted of a
bodice, with lindsey frock. while each
wore nsckerchief and frilled cap.
The first Westinghouse was erected in
Germantown, Pa, IN 17os. 1t was built
of logs, was very plain inside and out.
A quaint edifce but with no effort at
ornamentation whatever. Just prior to
the revolutionary war there were thir-
teen CONGREGATIONS in Pennsylvania, with
fifteen Bishops. forty-two meeting
houses, and ffty-three subordinate min
listers The Mennonttes first entered the
Valley Of Virginia in 1854 and settled at
wncdstock from that time until about
77so there was a steady stream of irmi-
rration and large numbers settled in the
counties of Page and Shenandoah. These
,ioneers built no Westinghouse. but
1.,orshtped at first one neighbours house
then another. They stll chung TO the
mother tongue and spoke German cxclu-
sively, preserving the habits. language,
religious customs, etc, of their forefa-
shers. teaching their children the same
and allowing no dancing or match-shoot-
,nr The first settlers at Woodstock We're
az ,neagre education. and mo RECORDS
were kept by them and to-day they
sleep in unmarked graves. Owing TO
LORD Fairfax coming into possession OF
the lands they had settled, they founo
themselves not owners, as they imagined
but simply souatters. and pre1erils 70
r,otsess homes. the titles of which were
inoontestible. Numbers of them moved
into Rockingham county, forming settle
-nents at where the towns OF Timber
vile. Broadway. and Furleytowh now
stand. the latter is said TO be- the Oldest
Town IN Rockingham county.
FIRST MEETING HOUSE
Their first meeting house was erected
IN 1922 in Lyryilie Creek Valley. Ihsfe
are at present twelve places of worship
sn Rockingham county. About the afne
the first place OF public worship was
erected, discussions arose. owing 10 the
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