Ohio History Journal

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THE GNADENHUETTEN CENTENNIAL.

SEPTEMBER 29, 1798.

One hundred years ago, the Rev. John Heckewelder moved

into the "First House," which he and his helpers built "on the

east bank of the Muskingum (Tuscarawas) River," where he

founded Gnadenhuetten as a Moravian Church settlement of

whites.

To commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of its found-

ing, Gnadenhuetten was visited by a concourse of seven thousand

men, women and children. This estimate of the number in at-

tendance is by the Rev. Dr. Hunter, of the Uhrichsville Presby-

terian Church, who is considered a very competent judge of

crowds in the Tuscarawas Valley, of which he has been a long

time resident. The larger part of the concourse in attendance

came from the cities and villages and farms of the valley; many

came "from all over" the State of Ohio; visitors were here from

Bethlehem, Pa.; from New York City and Philadelphia, Wash-

ington, D. C., and Pittsburg. From the neighboring states to

the westward, as far at least as Minnesota, Gnadenhuetten sons

and daughters were in happy attendance.

At the morning service of the first Sunday in the new year,

January 2, 1898, the pastor, the Rev. Wm. H. Rice, called the

attention of the congregation to the fact that this was the Cen-

tennial year of Gnadenhuetten's settlement. He read from the

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time-browned pages of the old Diary, in confirmation of his state-

ments. A deep and general interest was at once aroused.

At the annual Church Council held next day, on Monday,

January 3, a resolution was offered, and after discussion, was

adopted with unanimity, appointing the Boards of Elders (Rev.

Wm. H. Rice, Frank Peter, H. A. Miksch, Lewis S. Winsch and

Wm. T. Van Vleck) and of Trustees (Messrs. John Ulrich,

Charles G. Gutensohn, Fred J. Warner, George F. Stocker and

G. Victor Heck) a Centennial Celebration Committee, and di-

recting this committee to take such measures as would secure a

proper observance of Centennial Day, September 29. This com-

mittee immediately organized by the selection of the Rev. Wm.

H. Rice, as President; Frank Peter, Secretary, and Charles G.

Gutensohn, Treasurer.

The necessary preparatory work was duly apportioned to

sub-committees on Finance, Program, Historical Exhibit, His-

torical Tablets and Procession and Music. Solomon Stocker

was appointed chairman of the Committee on Entertainment.

The Finance Committee secured the co-operation, so essential,

of the sisters of the congregation. Under the leadership of the

Ladies' Missionary and Aid Society, a Committee on Refresh-

ments was appointed with Mrs. Lewis S. Winsch as President,

and Mrs. Wm. H. Rice as Secretary.

As Centennial Day came nearer, the stress of preparatory

work became more acute. The intervening time seemed all too

short. But above all other matters for anxious consideration

arose the question of the weather - what kind of a day ?

So much seemed to be at stake. There was much importu-

nate prayer. And how gracious was the dear Lord's answer.

Never did God's sun illumine a more perfect autumn day,

than our Centennial Thursday. It was the dear Lord's smile of

approval, His benediction upon all our anxious labors of prepa-

ration. When John Heckewelder, with William Edwards as his

companion, and the five Indian brethren, brought their weari-

some journey, overland from Fairfield Mission, Canada, to a

halt, June 18, 1798, having swum their horses across the deep

current of the Muskingum River, to its eastern bank, near the

site of old Gnadenhuetten - he writes: ["Es war uns etwas

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The Gnadenhuetten Centennial.          299 sehr Angenehmes und wir hielten es als ein gutes Omen class so viele Vogel auf den umstehenden Baumen ihre Stimmen frohlich horen liessen, als freueten sie sich uber unsere Ankunft. Die

Hutte die wir vor einem Jahr gebaut stund unversehrt. Bei dem Eintritt in dieselbe sahen wir bald nach den Tages-Texten."] "It was very pleasant and we held it to be a good omen, that so many birds, in the branches of the surrounding trees, lifted up

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their voices and sang sweetly, as if to express their gladness at

our coming. The cabin, which we built last year, was still stand-

ing as we left it. As soon as we entered it, we looked up the texts

for the day, Deut. 28: 8 and I Cor. 3: 8, 9." Our beautiful Cen-

tennial Day - we welcomed it as "a good omen," in 1898.

The first service was the early prayer-meeting, at 6 o'clock,

led by Lovine Miksch, the esteemed President of our Y. P. S.

Christian Endeavor. Although the attendance was not large,

the service was one of blessed interest. It was the beginning

of our happy festival with a "Quiet Hour" of praise and cove-

nanting, before the Lord.

On the arrival of the special trains, on the Pan Handle Rail-

way - one from as far to the eastward as Steubenville, connect-

ing at Uhrichsville with the railway and trolley trains from as

far north as Cleveland, another from the westward as far as New-

ark - at 9 o'clock, the procession under the marshalship of our

Mayor, Lewis S. Winsch, headed by the Amphion Band of

Uhrichsville, and followed immediately by the pupils and teach-

ers of the High School, under direction of the superintendent,

Professor Oliver J. Luethi, marched to the site of Old Gnaden-

huetten, adjoining our present Cemetery.

The first halt (we quote the very accurate report of the

Tuscarawas Evening Chronicle, of September 30) was made on

the river bank, at the old Canoe Ferry-landing. Here two

wooded markers had been planted by the committee, inscribed,

one, "The Old Canoe Ferry," and the other with a finger point-

ing to the "Cornfields of the Christian Indians."

At this point, Master Harry Demuth (a son of Lewis De-

muth, deceased, one of the numerous descendants of the Demuth

family of early pioneers) delivered an address upon the cornfields

just across the river, where the Christian Indians were arrested

that dark day in March, 1782, by their bloodthirsty white captors

who then brought them back across the river, to the old Gnaden-

huetten on this bank and on the following day, Friday, March 8,

massacred them in cold blood.

The procession next entered the Cemetery and halted, under

the thick shade of the tall trees, at the large grassy mound which

marks the burial place of the victims of the massacre of 1782.

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The Gnadenhuetten Centennial.          301

 

Here Miss Esther Eggenberg delivered an address, a selection

from her graduating address at our High School commencement

in June - referring to the massacre. Miss Lucy Stocker then

unveiled the marble tablet, "Burial Place of the Remains of the

Indian Martyrs 1782-1799." Both of these young ladies are

great-grandchildren of David Peter. Both before and after these

ceremonies, verses from the hymn "Nearer, my God, to Thee,"

were sung, accompanied by the band. At the "Mission House"

mound, where the procession halted next, the Rev. Calvin R.

Kinsey spoke, and Miss Bessie Peter, a great-granddaughter of

David Peter (who came to Gnadenhuetten in 1799), unveiled the

marble tablet, "Site of the Mission House, 1772-1782."

At the Monument, the teacher of the Primary Department of

the Town School, Miss Orpah Simmers, one of the descendants

of one of the earliest settlers from Eastern Pennsylvania, made

the following brief address:

"Here stands the Monument which records the bloodiest

day in the history of Ohio.

But it is a Monument which records the triumph of Indian

Christians who here met their death with Christian heroism and

resignation. They sang sweet songs of our Zion, in the bitter

hour of their cruel dying. They died in the peace and in the joy

of Christ their Saviour.

The Savior's blood and righteousness

Their beauty was and glorious dress;

Thus well-arrayed they did not fear

In Jesus' presence to appear.

Immediately at the conclusion of this address the great con-

course joined in singing, "The Saviour's Blood and Righteous-

ness."*

In one of the hollow places, under the trees, near the Monu-

ment, the aged and beloved Bishop Van Vleck, who has labored

many years in the Tuscarawas Valley, took his position and

spoke, briefly but impressively, upon the scenes enacted in the

Cooper Shop on the day of the massacre, when the blood of the

many victims trickled down into the cellar upon two lads who

 

*A full account of the Moravian Massacre will be found in Vol. III,

p. 276, Ohio Archaelogical and Historical Publications.- E. O. R.

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302       Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications. there lay concealed. Amid impressive silence, little Lena Miksch, great-granddaughter of the late Isaac Blickensderfer. unveiled the marble tablet, "Site of the Cooper Shop, 1782." The concourse of people united in singing, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." amid suppressed tears.

The procession now returned from the site of Old Gnaden- huetten (founded in 1772 and destroyed in 1782), and proceeded to the site of the later Gnadenhuetten (founded in 1798), where the first house was built one hundred years ago. On the way along what is now Cherry street the procession halted at the fac-

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The Gnadenhuetten Centennial.          303

 

simile representation of the log cabin which Heckewelder built

in 1797, when he was surveying here. In '98 he built the First

House. But other settlers coming from Pennsylvania the fol-

lowing year, he gave them the use of his new house, and moved

back into his log cabin. In his Diary, Heckewelder says:

"When Brother and Sister Oppelt leave us for Fairfield, Canada,

Brother and Sister Jungman will have the use, in addition to

their present quarters, of the First House. I shall continue to

make my quarters in the log cabin, with a shed roof, made of the

bark of trees, until I can build a better house." The Rev. W.

H. Rice, who addressed the great concourse of people, in Ger-

man and in English, from the roof of the cabin, brought out this

incident as illustrative of a noble trait in the character of the un-

selfish Heckewelder.

Proceeding to the near-by site of the First House, at the

southwest corner of Main and Cherry streets, the procession,

headed by the Amphion Brass Band, came to a halt around the

granite marker, which had been set in place the day before. An

immense concourse of people had gathered here in anticipation

of the unveiling ceremonies. James Francis Rice, of New York

City, son of the Gnadenhuetten pastor, a grandson of Ann Sa-

lome Heckewelder Rice (the founder's second daughter), spoke

briefly as follows:

"One hundred years ago, on the 2₉th of September, 1798,

the Rev. John Heckewelder moved into the First House of

Gnadenhuetten. He and his helpers built it upon this spot, 'on

the east bank of the Muskingum River,' now called the Tuscara-

was. John Heckewelder and William Edwards and their five

Indian brethren reached Gnadenhuetten on June 18, 1798, after

a very difficult and fatiguing journey through the wilderness of

Upper Canada.

"The daily words for the day of the arrival were, from the

Old Testament, Deuteronomy 28: 8, 'The Lord shall command

the blessing upon thee, in all that thou settest thy hand unto;'

from the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 3: 8, 9, 'Every man shall

receive his own reward according to his own labor: for we are

laborers together with God.'

"We are here to commemorate the fact that the Lord did

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command His blessing upon the Founder of Gnadenhuetten,

John Heckewelder, when he and his helpers laid the foundation

of this settlement one hundred years ago.

"We cherish the blessed memory of a man whose life marked

him as a co-laborer with God, a fellow-helper of his brethren.

God bless the name and labors of John Heckewelder, this Cen-

tennial Day. God make of us successful co-laborers with Him,

and fellow-helpers of the Brethren."

Miss Helen Kinsey, daughter of the Rev. Calvin R. Kinsey,

of Port Washington Moravian Church, a great-granddaughter of

Susan Heckewelder Lukenbach, (the Founder's third and young-

est daughter) now unveiled the granite marker, which bears this

inscription upon a polished panel, "Site of First House Built by

John Heckewelder, 1898, September 29, 1798."

A wooden marker on the lot just across the street, at the

southeast corner of Main and Cherry Street, marks the site of

the first store, put in charge of David Peter, in 1799. Mayor

Lewis S. Winsch, a grandson of David Peter, was the speaker at

this point. He showed a pair of steel scales that had been used

in the store, to weigh numberless deer and fox and wolf and

other skins bought of the Indians. Little Lena Miksch, a great-

great-granddaughter of David Peter, unveiled the marker.

Then the head of the procession passed to the northeast cor-

ner of the intersecting streets, to the sites of the First Parsonage,

the First and Second Church buildings, all adjoining one another,

on the east side of Main Street. The three brief addresses were

by Rev. Wm. T. Van Vleck. The wooden marker at the site of

the First Parsonage was unveiled by a little five year old laddie,

Edmund Siess, a great-grandson of the late Rev. Sylvester Wolle,

the honored pastor of the Gnadenhuetten church, from 1841 to

1849. The marker on the site of the First Church was unveiled

by little Gladys Hamilton, a descendant of the Huebners, a family

three of whose members have filled the Gnadenhuetten pastorate,

and a granddaughter of 'Squire Hamilton, one of the early settlers.

Clara Wheland, a descendant of the Oppelt family, the first settlers

after Heckewelder, unveiled the marker at the site of the Second

Church building.

The last address before proceeding to the church, was deliv-

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The Gnadenhuetten Centennial.           305

 

ered by Bishop Van Vleck, at the site of the old Town Well, and

the village Corn Mill, worked by hand.

Of the great concourse of people which thronged the Public

Square, and all the streets and lanes of our village, only a very

inconsiderable part could find place in the church, which can seat,

when crowded, about 500 or 600 people. A large G. A. R. tent

had been erected on the side of the Public Square, adjoining the

church, for the better accomodation of all participants in the Cen-

tennial services. But it had been decided to hold at least the first

part of these services in the church.

The pastor, Rev. Wm. H. Rice, presided. A fine chorus was

rendered by members of the Musical Union, with inspiring effect,

at the opening of the service. The Scripture Lessons, Psalm 68,

and the closing part of Luke I, were read by the Rev. Luther

Timberlake, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal congregation of

Gnadenhuetten. The prayer was offered by the Rev. Calvin R.

Kinsey, of Port Washington. Then Bishop Van Vleck delivered

the address of cordial welcome.

 

ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY REV. H. J. VAN VLECK,

Dear Friends, or rather, Brethren and Sisters: -

Pleasant - yea! - very pleasant as the duty assigned to un-

worthy me, is, in itself, namely to address some words of welcome

to you, who have come hither from abroad, I have nevertheless

reluctantly consented to fulfill it, - and why so?

In the first place, because there are here at Gnadenhuetten,

younger and more competent persons to do it than I, and in the

second place, because my opinion of "an address of welcome", is

apparently very different from that entertained by others.

Very frequently such an address, is a long and elaborate

speech, in which much is said of the character and history of

the place, where it is made; and in some cases, all this may be

suitable and even required; but my talk, on the present occasion,

will be short, simple and not historical, as far as our town is con-

cerned, of which we are to-day, in the good providence of God,

joyfully celebrating the one hundredth anniversary.

The very nature of our present Centennial, and what we are

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expecting to hear this morning, render it unnecessary for me to

speak about Gnadenhuetten as it was, or as it is; but certain

questions, which are, by no means unfrequently, put to me, when

conducting visitors about our town, induce me to believe, that a

few quotations from a pamphlet entitled "The Moravian Church",

(the author of which is in our midst), may here be in place. Our

denomination, which is no more exclusively, but still most numer-

ously represented here at Gnadenhuetten, and which is, compara-

tively speaking, not as extensively known as some of our dear

sister churches are, constitutes, throughout the world and without

any divisions, - blessed be the Lord! - what is commonly called

"The Moravian Church," inasmuch as a goodly number of the

members of our first congregation in Germany, came from the

province of Moravia in Austria, though its ancient name "Unitas

Fratrum," i. e. "The Unity of Brethren," is the more appropri-

ate one, and expresses its fraternal character.

Our Church dates its existence from the year 1457, more

than four centuries ago, and from that time it has, by the grace of

God, grown and flourished, though not without serious interrup-

tions.

By the year 1517, the date of the beginning of the Lutheran

Reformation, it numbered nearly two hundred thousand members.

From 1457 to 1722, i. e. 265 years, is the period of what is

called the "Ancient Church of the Brethren."

In the year 1722, the beginning of a reorganization and re-

newal of the Church, was made by emigrants from Moravia, who

cherished the "old faith." These, with others, mainly exiles for

conscience sake, from various places, settled on the estates of

Count Zinzendorf, and founded the town of Herrnhut in Saxony.

Under the leadership of said noble and pious count and by the

Lord, the Church was renewed. It received the historic Episco-

pate, at the same time readopting the ancient principles of govern-

ment and discipline, but in a somewhat changed and modified

form, suited to the then existing circumstances. The Church,

under the blessing of the Lord and the leadership of Zinzendorf,

in a short time, not only grew and prospered, but also extended

its work to other countries and to heathen lands. In England,

e. g. its activity was peculiarly blessed, and it numbered among

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The Gnadenhuetten Centennial.           307

 

its converts of distinction, the illustrious John Wesley, the founder

of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1742, the Moravians organized their first permanent con-

gregation in America, viz.: at Bethlehem, Pa., and since that time

our Church has made a history of varied activity, in many depart-

ments of church work, distinguishing itself by three general feat-

ures, i. e. Missions among the Indians, Home Missions and Edu-

cation.

Its missionary enterprise was particularly manifested in the

last century, and its Indian Missions in the Tuscarawas Valley,

founded in 1772, were the first, or among the first Churches in

what is now the State of Ohio, and from them sprang the present

seven Moravian churches in our said beautiful Valley. The mis-

sionaries, and particularly Zeisberger and Heckewelder, were very

influential in treating with the Indian tribes, and in founding our

State in 1803. The present pastor of the Moravian congregation

at this place, Rev. Wm. H. Rice, being a great-grandson of the

esteemed Heckewelder, quite naturally adds not a little to the

interest of this present joyous occasion. - But enough of this;

and it now behooves me, in the name of all the citizens of Gnaden-

huetten, of whom I am one, to bid you, our friends from abroad,

a most hearty welcome to our Centennial, - to our town, - to

our homes, -  in short, to all that we can possibly do for you,

during your sojourn among us; and may this festive day be a

truly enjoyable and instructive one to you and to us all!

Fain would I - but, of course, only for the time being,

have as many right hands as there are persons here, so that I

might, without detention, give every one of you separately, a

hearty shake of the hand; but in this instance, you will please

take the will for the deed.

 

" Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above!"

The venerable speaker made use of the occasion, in the pres-

ence of many strangers, to set forth in comprehensive but succinct

statement, the above outline of the history of our Moravian

Church, from the beginning in Bohemia and Moravia, thus giving

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The Gnadenhuetten Centennial.             309

 

a good background for the historical picture which was drawn

later of the life and labors of a Moravian exile's son, in the new

home of the Church in America. "Praise God from whom all

blessings flow," "My country 'tis of thee!" were the praiseful

songs which were sung. Rev. Dr. William E Moore, of the First

Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Ohio's capital city, the Vice-

President of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society, one

of the four delegated guests, to represent the Society at our Cen-

tennial, pronounced the benediction, after it had been announced

that the Historical Discourse would be delivered in the tent, after

dinner. The noon hour was at hand, and it was deemed inadvis-

able to prolong the services, before dinner.

The exercises were suspended to allow the big crowd to get

dinner. Great preparations had been made to feed the multitude,

and nobody went away hungry, unless it was his own fault.

In the afternoon as many of the audience as could find room

gathered in the large tent on the "market lot." Rev. Dr. Moore,

of Columbus, offered prayer. The national hymn, "My Country,

'Tis of Thee," was sung by the people.

Rev. W. H. Rice, who presided, then read the following letter

from President McKinley:

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,

September 26, 1898.

MY DEAR SIR:-I have received the very cordial invitation extended

to me to visit the Centennial Celebration at Gnadenhuetten, Ohio, Sep-

tember 29, and wish to express to you, and through you to your asso-

ciates of the committee, my deep regret at my inability to send an ac-

ceptance. It would give me great pleasure to be with you on this occa-

sion, but the pressure of most important public business precludes my

absence from Washington on the date named.

Please accept my hearty thanks for the compliment conveyed by this

invitation, and believe me, with sincere best wishes for the complete

success of your interesting celebration. Very truly yours,

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

REV. WM. H. RICE, Chairman of Centennial Committee,

Gnadenhuetten, Ohio.

At the suggestion of the Chairman three hearty cheers were

given for President McKinley.

The Historical address was next delivered by Rev. William

H. Rice, his subject being "Heckewelder." It was replete with

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facts of historical interest and value and it is impossible to do it

justice in this article. This address is given in full beginning

on page 314 of this volume.

The Historical address held the undivided attention of the

vast audience until its close, and the speaker concluded amid great

applause.

Rev. Rice said that to-day was doubly interesting to him be-

cause it was the 90th anniversary of the wedding of his grand-

mother, Salome Heckewelder, who was married to Joseph Rice in

Gnadenhuetten September 29, 1808.

Rev. Dr. Moore, of Columbus, was introduced and made a

brief and interesting address, touching on archaeological and his-

torical matters.

Prof. E. O. Randall, Secretary of the Ohio State Archaeo-

logical and Historical Society, gave a witty talk which abounded

with good stories. He closed with an appeal for posterity, in

which he said he was interested, for he said he had three of them

at his home.

Rev. W. H. Romig, of Gracehill, Iowa, formerly pastor of the

Uhrichsville Moravian church, himself a member of the pioneer

family of the name, was introduced. He spoke earnestly and ef-

fectively. He said there were 102,000 Buckeyes in Iowa, many

of whom had wished to attend this celebration. He paid a tribute

to the early settlers, and remarked that people here do not fully

appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the Tuscarawas Valley

He closed with a fervent religious exhortation.

At the suggestion of the Chairman the Centennial greeting of

the assembled thousands were sent to his venerable aunt, Mrs. M.

A. Rice Herman, a lady in her 89th year, residing in Philadelphia,

Pa., the eldest grandchild of the Rev. John Heckewelder, who spent

many hours as a child in her grandfather's study, when he was

engaged in writing his books; and to the two grandsons, Messrs.

Henry B. Luckenbach and J. Edward Luckenbach, of Bethlehem,

Pa., who are the present surviving sons of Susan Heckewelder

Luckenbach, the third and youngest daughter.

Rev. John Peter Gutensohn, of Minnesota, spoke in German

and English, and was frequently applauded. Rev. Luther Tim-

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The Gnadenhuetten Centennial.          311

 

berlake was introduced as a genuine Methodist and one of six

brothers who served in the Union Army. Rev. Timberlake said

he was one of seven brothers, six of whom had been in the army

and three had never returned, having lost their lives. He told

of the part some ministers of the Methodist persuasion had taken

in the early history of Ohio. He said when people were doubting

whether Gnadenhuetten could feed all the multitude on this cen-

tennial occasion, he told them that if they ran out of everything

else they could furnish a large well seasoned dish of Rice, and as

soon as the hearers understood the pun they laughed uproariously.

Rev. Timberlake touched briefly on the spread of Methodism in

this part of the country. His was a good talk. At the close

"Blest be the tie that binds," was sung. Prof. Duff, of Scio Col-

lege, and Amadeus Peter (of Washington, D. C.), were called,

but did not respond. Capt. John D. Cunning was called and re-

sponded in a few words of congratulation. The long meter dox-

ology was sung, and Rev. Adam Zimmerman, of Shanesville, Ohio,

delivered the benediction, and thus the special exercises commem-

orative of the forming of the town were at an end.

One letter from President McKinley was not read. It was

addressed to Bishop Van Vleck and expressed in the most cordial

way the President's thanks for the personal invitation extended

himself and Mrs. McKinley by the Bishop, to attend the Cen-

tennial. At the very earliest, the President was able to leave the

executive mansion by September 2₉th, and this would not allow

him to reach Gnadenhuetten in time.

The Centennial Historical Exhibit in the High School build-

ing is worthy of an extended article by itself, but we find it im-

possible to do more than mention it. Three exhibits that were of

special interest were loaned by A. D. Romig. The entire collec-

tion was large, and it is a pity that it could not be kept perma-

nently in the town. Messrs. Allen Augustas Miksch and Wm. T.

Van Vleck are to be specially credited with having deserved well

of their fellow-townsfolk for their efforts in securing such a suc-

cessful Exhibit.

After a day of great enjoyment, of much instructive and help-

ful influences, the big crowd gradually dispersed. For hours on

every road leading out of the village was seen a procession of

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vehicles bearing the people homeward. Two long special trains,

one to westward and one to eastward, carried crowds to their

homes, leaving the station at 6 o'clock.

Two bands - the Amphion, of Uhrichsville, and the Gil-

more band - furnished the music.

 

THE CENTENNIAL CONCERT.

In the evening the Musical Union gave a cantata, "David, the

Shepherd Boy." This was the largest work the Musical Union

has undertaken, but the work was creditably done. Every seat in

the house was sold. The satisfaction of the audience was shown

by enthusiastic applause. L. V. Busche, as David; Geo. Robin-

son, as Saul; F. C. Winsch, as Samuel; R. L. Frazier, as Jesse

and Jonathan, were among the favorites. Miss Ada Ginther, as

Abigail; Miss Mary Gutensohn, as Michal; Miss Gertrude Eg-

genberg, as the aged Jew's daughter, were also applauded. Others

won special favor. In fact the whole performance was fine. Not

another town of Gnadenhuetten's size within our knowledge could

do as well. The chorus work was splendid. The concert was an

unqualified success and was a credit to its conductor, Mr. H. W.

Luethi. - Evening Chronicle, September 30, 1898.

 

CENTENNIAL DAY NOTES.

It was a Moravian Centennial, which drew Moravians and

many others to this historic town. The pastoral Brethren Hart-

man of Fry's Valley and Paul M. Greider of Sharon were with us,

as were many of the Moravian Membership of Uhrichsville,

Maple Grove, Sharon, Fry's Valley, Port Washington and Canal

Dover.

Many happy meetings and reunions of friends and kindred

who had not seen one another for a longer or shorter period, are

to be noted.

Such an orderly crowd of Christian gentlemen and gentle-

women, so entirely free from all coarseness and vulgarity (we do

not mention drunkenness, for that is unknown hereabout, in this

town and township without a saloon, or any other legal traffic in

intoxicants) has rarely been seen.

The Centennial Button, bearing the legend "Gnadenhuetten

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The Gnadenhuetten Centennial.          313

 

Centennial, 1898 - Sept. 29 - 1798, with a picture of Rev. John

Heckewelder - do you wonder the school teachers and children

were glad when they could wear it? And children of a larger

growth were glad for the Centennial Button. It is a beautiful

keepsake.

The Railway Companies ran three special trains from the

northward, eastward and westward, without asking any preliminary

pecuniary guarantee from our Centennial Committee. This, we

are assured, was never done before, in the Valley. So much for

the reputation of the "Tents of Grace" in connection with any

historic celebration.

The ivy which was so tastefully entwined around the frame

of the large Centennial picture of John Heckewelder, in the recess

of the pulpit of our church, was from a stalk at the Walter home-

stead, grown from a spray of the ivy which covers the one side

of the Whitefield House at Nazareth, Pa. That stalk is itself

from a spray of the stalk which is still growing on the north side

of the York, (Pa.) Moravian Church. This latter stalk was orig-

inally brought from Zauchtenthal, in the Kuhlaendl, in Old Mora-

via, by Rev. Wm. H. Rice, when he visited the home of his Mora-

vian ancestors, the Heckewelders and the Nitschmanns immedi-

ately after the General Synod of 1869 at Herrnhut in Saxony, Ger-

many. There was a beautiful fitness in thus decorating the

Heckewelder Centennial Portrait with ivy from the home-land.

The two books "David Zeisberger and his Brown Brethren"

and "Moravian Missions in Ohio," were on sale, on Centennial-

Day. The latter is by our friend and brother Francis C. Hueb-

ner, Esq., of Washington, D. C., and is for substance the Centen-

nial Lecture which he delivered in our Gnadenhuetten Church, last

June, much to the special satisfaction of his townspeople.

The next Centennial Anniversary, to mark the date of the

organization of the Gnadenhuetten Moravian Congregation, one

hundred years ago, comes in July, 1900.

Printed copies of the manuscript diary of the wedding jour-

ney of Ann Salome Heckewelder, who was married to Joseph Rice

of Bethlehem, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania, September 29,

1808, here at Gnadenhuetten, were circulated among the guests

free of charge.

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