Buggies in the Cove

As new Covites, Nancy and I regularly observe things that were uncommon at our previous dwelling locations. For example, we see the ubiquitous horse-drawn black buggy and plain people wearing simple yet consistent clothing.

In late summer we traveled to Kishacoquillas Valley (known locally as either Kish Valley or Big Valley) where PA Route 655 runs from Mill Creek to Reedsville. We were amazed at the number of buggies on that highway. There were buggies with black tops, yellow tops, and white tops, apparently identifying with particular Amish communities. We also saw small open carriages, usually driven by children or women.

In Morrisons Cove, we see similar buggies, of course. The horse posts we see at Burgets Hardware in Curryville and the Dollar Store near Martinsburg testify to the number of plain people who drive such conveyances. We learned the buggies we see in Morrisons Cove belong to Old Order Mennonites, not Amish.

Therefore, as newcomers, we wanted to discover the world of plain people. Subsequently, we visited a local horse-and-buggy Mennonite and his wife. Nancy and I listened intently as we learned much about life as a Mennonite in the Cove. (They wished to remain anonymous, adhering to their principle of avoiding pridefulness.) Their family roots are in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where many Amish prosper and they noted almost parenthetically that they are separate from the Amish, almost as if they were preempting possible confusion between groups. I thought of our trip to Kish Valley.

I asked the obvious question first. “Why buggies? Why not drive cars to get around?”

Their answers surprised me. “We are not against them (cars) because we ask them (local folks) to take us places. We were born and raised that way. This is our church order. If we don’t use a horse and buggy, we cannot be Old Order Mennonites.

“We need transportation other than the horse and buggy. That’s why we ask others to drive us around.”

It was not because they are against modern modes of transport. Indeed, the couple we visited just returned from a lengthy trip out of state. “We don’t have anything against a vehicle in any way.”

They hire drivers to take them beyond distances reasonable for horses, and then only for valid business or family reasons. They noted bikes are also popular, especially among the young. We noticed that as well and we have learned to drive defensively in the Cove.

My follow-up question was predictable. “Why is it OK to ride in cars but not drive?”

The wife responded, “I think we are more satisfied to stay home. We could think of places to go but we don’t have that opportunity. We’re just happy to stay at home.”

So why buggies indeed? It seems to be straightforward: tradition and maintaining an uncomplicated way of life. Travel, however convenient for Nancy and me, is not all that important to this practical couple of Old Order Mennonites. They value time at home.

My second set of questions centered on attire. I specifically asked about ladies’ dresses and head coverings, noting the recognizable cut and look of the Mennonite dress. Specific dress of a person may indicate different conferences. Again, tradition and modesty are key.

We noticed no photographs adorned the walls of their home. “We don’t have a camera but we are not against pictures. Our children and grandchildren have pictures.”

I deduced displaying photos may be another sign of humility, especially for the older generation.

During the interview there was some discussion about various Mennonite orders in the Cove and about church splits. Because of conference differences, some things are allowed and some not, depending on which conference one belongs. For example, some conferences may use word processors but not personal computers. Members of the horse and buggy Mennonites cannot own a cell phone. They are not against cell phones, but against “what comes with it.” They do, however, have a land line. Some Mennonite business folks would like more technology and some would like less. Our hosts were content with “as little as we can get away with.”

There are other generational differences. “Children learn English better than us older folks.”

So Pennsylvania Dutch is spoken in this home and in church. Nancy and I observed German text on refrigerator postings and on a chalkboard.

“Komme essen.” “Komme schaffen.” Come eat. Come work.

“People hear the first phrase but not the second,” our host whispered with a wink.

I judge Mennonites to be caring, hard-working, humble folks. But there is more to this group than business and home. There is a strong church connection which involves service to others. The family we visited participates in MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service), which is a network of volunteers who respond to those affected by disasters. What greater proof of Christian love can there be?

In response to our queries about the life of horse and buggy Mennonites, our gracious hosts recapped, “We have nothing against any other church. We are satisfied to stay with the old order. That’s what we were taught. We have nothing to hide.”

The wife continued, “We are not perfect. We try to live by the grace of God.”

Indeed, shouldn’t we all! Nancy and I just made a few new friends in Morrisons Cove.