Ohio History Journal

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ORIGIN, RISE, PROGRESS AND DECLINE OF THE

ORIGIN, RISE, PROGRESS AND DECLINE OF THE

WHITEWATER COMMUNITY OF SHAKERS

LOCATED IN HAMILTON COUNTY,

OHIO.

 

 

BY J. P. MAC LEAN.

While engaged in collecting the material for the article on

West Union, I engaged in a correspondence with Elder Charles

H. Sturr, general manager of the Whitewater community. He

invited me to make him a visit, and I should have the freedom

of all the archives of the society. I determined at once to accept

the invitation, and although the distance is about forty miles I

decided to drive through. The route took me diagonally across

Butler county from northeast to southwest, which was quite hilly,

and the greater part of the distance the roads were muddy. The

worst mudhole I struck was Hamilton, the streets being full

of chuckholes. The lower road from Hamilton to Millville was

so out of repair I had difficulty passing over. Early on the morn-

ing of May 30, 1903, I started on my journey.

Fifteen years before, I was familiar with every nook and

corner of the county. I had geologized all its fossil beds, and

searched out all its archaeological remains. Either I or the gen-

eral aspect had changed, for the views did not have the same

appearance. There was a wornout air almost everywhere. The

roads were in the worst condition I ever saw them, and the

poorest I had seen in years.

Although I had never seen the Shaker lands, the moment

I struck them I knew I was on their possessions. The fences

were in good condition, the lands cared for, and there was the

general aspect of thriftiness. When I caught sight of the first

house, my opinion was confirmed that I was on the lands of the

Shakers, for the same style of architecture, solid appearance, and

want of decorative art were before me. I knocked at the door,

which was opened by a small lady. I asked her name, and she

26 Vol. XIII.           (401)