The New York Times, May 17, 1900

Season’s Work in One Day. How Amish Farmers in Pennsylvania Helped One of the Sect, Who is Sick.

Special to the New York Times.

Reading, Penn., May 16. – The Petersheims own one of the fine farms in Lower Berks County. About two months ago the head of the family was stricken with paralysis, and the attention which the other members of the family had to give him prevented them giving any time to the cultivation of the farm this spring. The Petersheims are Amish people.

The farmers in the neighborhood heard of the Petersheim troubles, and they determined to cultivate that farm in quick order. It is an old-time custom among the Amish people to help one another as much as possible. So, early this morning, there was a striking parade down the Conestoga Turnpike. The Amish farmers, with their two, three and four horse teams loaded with farm implements, were going to the John Petersheim farm. They had come from miles around, and they were determined to do the season’s farm work in a day. Thirteen plows were operated in one field. Many harrows were drawn across the plowed ground, and a large force of men who planted the seed followed. There were nineteen two and three horse teams at work at one time in a single field.

By this evening the large farm was put in complete shape for producing this summer. Sixty men had been at work. All of them are more or less wealthy, and many of them could draw checks that the local banks would honor for thousands of dollars. The Amish people are a quaint religious sect who believe strictly in the Golden Rule.

Submitted by Brenda.